Federal Tax Credit Cuts Jeopardize 69,000 Arizona Jobs

Walking through Lucid Motors' Phoenix Hub, I saw Arizona's future taking shape. Sleek electric vehicles glide off the assembly line, each one a symbol of innovation and grit. This factory employs over 2,000 people, anchoring a high-tech corridor that is transforming our state into a global powerhouse. It is a vision worth fighting for.

But this progress faces a dire threat. Federal tax credits, which have poured billions into projects like Lucid's, are on the chopping block. A repeal could erase 69,000 Arizona jobs and $58 billion in investments. Why risk our economic momentum for the sake of rigid ideology? The stakes could not be higher.

Tax credits are catalysts for growth, not giveaways. The Inflation Reduction Act's incentives have created over 100,000 well-paying jobs nationwide, with 90 clean-energy projects spanning 31 states. In Arizona, Lucid's Casa Grande plant has grown from a few hundred workers to over 2,000, with plans for 6,000 by 2030. These jobs offer families stability and pride.

The evidence is clear. Since the IRA, $199 billion in EV and battery investments have supported 201,900 direct jobs and nearly a million more in related fields. Arizona has secured $21 billion of that, including LG Energy Solution's $5.5 billion battery plant. This is how we build an economy that works for everyone.

Some policymakers argue these credits waste money and favor the rich, citing a 2021 study that found 84 percent of EV benefits went to high earners. Others claim subsidies stifle innovation by betting on EVs over alternatives like hydrogen. These arguments, while loud, do not hold up under scrutiny.

EV prices are dropping, and battery costs have plummeted 80 percent since 2010, making these vehicles more accessible. The credits also support a range of clean technologies, including EVs. Most strikingly, over 60 percent of the jobs tied to these incentives are in Republican-led districts. If critics push for repeal, they will hurt their own communities. Where is the logic in that?

Scrapping these credits would devastate Arizona's tech corridor, which supports 162,000 manufacturing jobs. While Lucid's luxury focus offers some insulation, other manufacturers may not survive the hit. Suppliers, builders, and small businesses would feel the pain, unraveling places like Pinal County, now alive with opportunity. Can we afford to let this progress slip away?

Then there is the broader impact. Ending clean-energy incentives could hike household energy bills by up to $400 annually. Globally, it would weaken our edge against China's state-backed industries. Arizona's leaders, from state officials to local advocates, are united in defending these investments. They know what is at risk.

This is about our values and our future. Arizona's tech surge, powered by federal support, shows we can create jobs, protect the environment, and lead globally. Lucid Motors is a spark; with sustained investment, we can ignite an era of prosperity.

We need action now. Tell your representatives to preserve these tax credits. Arizona's workers and families deserve a future where opportunity thrives. Let us keep this momentum alive and build a state, and a nation, we are proud to call home.