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Report: Marriage equality would add $62 million, new jobs to Ariz. economy

Report: Marriage equality would add $62 million, new jobs to Ariz. economy

Extending marriage to same-sex couples in Arizona would generate an estimated $61.9 million in spending to the state’s economy and generate over 500 new jobs over three years, according to a new study.

ArizonaResearchers at the Williams Institute, an independent think tank at UCLA’s School of Law, estimates that — based on 2010 U.S. Census data — 15,817 same-sex couples live in Arizona. Of those couples, the Institute estimates that 50 percent (7,909 couples) would choose to marry in the first three years, a pattern that has been observed in Massachusetts and elsewhere.

Over 5,000 marriages would occur in the first year alone, and bring up to $39 million in revenue to the state of Arizona that year.

“This study confirms that all Arizonans benefit from marriage for same-sex couples, not just the LGBT community,” said study author, M.V. Lee Badgett;

Key findings include:

  • 7,909 in-state same-sex couples would choose to marry in the three years following an opening of marriage to same-sex couples in Arizona.
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  • The total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism by resident same-sex couples and their guests would add an estimated $61.9 million to the state and local economy of Arizona over the course of three years, with a $39.6 million boost in the first year alone.
    This economic boost would add $5.1 million in sales tax revenue to the state coffer.

  • Spending related to same-sex couples’ wedding ceremonies and celebrations could generate up to 517 full- and part-time jobs in the state.

Currently there are two federal laws pending challenging Arizona’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The full study is here.

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