Greg bryan / arizona daily star 2008

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There are no transfer taxes or fees on the sale of real estate in Arizona, and Proposition 100 would make that permanent.

The so-called "Protect Our Homes" initiative would amend the state constitution, making it impossible to levy any future taxes or fees on all property sales.

While supporters of Proposition 100 say such transfer taxes would dampen home sales and make it harder for working families to own homes, opponents point out the state is already more than $2 billion in the red and such transfer taxes would give state and local governments another way to generate revenue.

While there is little organized opposition to the initiative, the Arizona Education Association — the teachers union — has essentially called it a giveaway to developers and real estate corporations, and the group has questioned the need to change the state's constitution.

If Passed, Proposition 100 would: Amend the state constitution to not allow any tax or fee to be placed on the sale or transfer of any property.

Supporters Say: Frank Dickens, chairman of the "Protect Our Homes" initiative, has said a transfer tax or fee would equate to "double taxation" because homeowners already pay property taxes.

Tom Jenney of Americans for Prosperity has said a transfer fee would likely increase over time, placing a further strain on taxpayers who sell their homes or first-time buyers who may be struggling to meet closing costs.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce has also supported the measure, saying a transfer tax would make it harder to sell homes and disrupt the state's economic growth.

And the Arizona Contractors Association also backs the measure, saying it will help the struggling real estate sector recover because, in its view, a transfer tax would dampen home sales.

Opponents Say: The Arizona Education Association has come out against Proposition 100, saying the state is facing a deficit and surging population growth. To address these problems, government officials need the option to at least consider using transfer taxes to generate revenue.

In their statement against Proposition 100, John Wright and Andrew Morrill of the teachers union said the state is too reliant on property taxes that do not provide consistent revenues during tough economic times.

Funds from any future transfer taxes could be used to support schools, transportation and health care, they said.

Proposition 100 "will change the constitution of Arizona to protect real estate corporations and developers," they wrote in their argument against the measure. "Changing our constitution to protect wealthy special interests will cripple our state's ability to support the needs of a growing state."

Tucson City Councilwomen Regina Romero and Karin Uhlich have been pushing for a 1 percent transfer fee — equal to $2,000 on a $200,000 home — that would go to the city's housing trust fund. The funds would be used to pay for such things as home repairs and down-payment assistance for low-income residents.

Because the fee would apply only to homes for which the builder entered into a development agreement with the city, it would not be covered by Proposition 200, should that constitutional amendment pass.

$1,783,617 -- Cash on hand as of Oct. 2 for supporters of the "Protect Our Homes" initiative, or Proposition 100.

0 -- The number of committees formed to oppose the initiative.