Local opinion: City's reckless spending makes Prop 414 untenable

I am an independent voter residing in Ward 2 who has lived and worked in Tucson for 40 years. I have always loved living in Tucson and usually support initiatives that seek to improve the lives of all Tucsonans including voting for tax increases. However, I cannot support Proposition 414.

While citizens across all socioeconomic levels would like to support public safety and many aspects of this ballot measure, the Mayor and Council have failed us in several ways. More specifically, when opportunities arise to raise revenue or reduce costs, they decline to act responsibly. Here are a few glaring examples:

Their decision to continue fare-free public transit costs the City nearly $10 million annually and corresponds with increased safety concerns from drivers and riders alike. It gives new meaning to the disclaimer “Ride at Your Own Risk” as our buses have become a mobile refuge from the elements for drug users, the mentally ill and the homeless. This discourages other riders concerned for their safety.

The City hired a consultant at $300,000 for an “Energy Sourcing Study” to investigate the feasibility of running its own public utility to replace TEP. This folly is right on the heels of spending $7 million unsuccessfully trying to become an Internet provider. The money that could have gone to public safety and affordable housing projects was squandered!

The City also spent more than $350,000 for consultants to unnecessarily “reimagine” Reid Park to create additional walking paths that damages the viability of two city-owned, revenue-generating public golf courses used by thousands.

Rather than making one-time investments or paying down debt, the City used COVID-era federal tax dollars to increase perpetual programs and staff when the funding was temporary and has now run out.

Unlike Pima County, the city refuses to take the simple step of installing educational signs at street corners to discourage panhandling. Instead, it continues to risk the safety of homeless and drug-impaired individuals occupying these corners, leaving them vulnerable to falling into traffic lanes, dying of exposure, or becoming victims of night-time traffic fatalities.

Lastly, I am reminded daily of the City’s abject failure to improve, maintain or repair even small sections of major arterial roads. Some examples include Grant, east of Columbus, Swan south of Grant, and numerous other streets.

The City faults declining state shared revenues and lower sales tax receipts, but if the City made its streets and neighborhood safer from crime, more businesses, retail stores, and restaurants would open or stay, thus increasing economic vitality and the tax base. Instead, law-abiding citizens incur a “crime tax” as businesses and residents alike are having to pay for glass replacement and increased security to protect their properties while the City turns a blind eye to lawlessness on our streets.

If Prop 414 passes, the City’s sales tax rate will be 9.2% versus 6.1% in Pima County. Therefore, on the purchase of a $25,000 used car, one would pay $775 more (3.1% more) in the City than the County. This is meaningful to most people, and it would hurt middle- and lower-income workers the most.

In summary, when many of us face declining income, we tighten our belts, make tough choices, and reprioritize. Instead, the City continues to spend recklessly and misses opportunities to grow revenues responsibly. With a $2.3 billion annual budget, representing a growth of 75% since 2015, it’s hard to believe that the City can’t find $80 million (3.47%) in its budget to first fund police and fire, and then allocate resources to other programs, without asking for more taxes from people that simply cannot afford it.

Vote no on Prop 414.