4 takeaways from Mayor Rothschild's state of the city address

Mayor Jonathan Rothschild gave his annual state of the city speech on Thursday afternoon, highlighting Tucson’s economic successes.

The two-term Democrat also detailed improvements in city services and partnerships that have led to positive changes in the city.

He closed his remarks by highlighting why the city needs a new half-cent sales-tax increase to raise $250 million for roads, public-safety equipment and facilities over the next five years, saying if it passes it would cost the average person about $3 — or the cost of a cup of coffee — more per month in taxes.

“We all know our streets need work — everyone knows a rough road when they see it — and we’ve all seen the difference the 2012 streets bond has made. But when you see a city of Tucson emergency-response vehicle, you may not know that, in some cases, you’re looking at a vehicle that’s 20 or 25 years old. And, unlike you and me, they don’t get better with age,” Rothschild said.

However, Rothschild didn’t shy away from standing behind specific policies that have come under fire from either the Legislature or President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.

Here are four takeaways from Rothschild’s speech:

Tax incentives for downtown projects

Rothschild gave full support to economic incentives to spur development in the city, including the Government Property Lease Excise Tax program, which provides property tax incentives for projects.

The city plans on issuing or already has signed off on several property tax agreements in downtown Tucson, including ones for transforming the La Placita property, renovating the Riverpark Inn Hotel, and developing the five-story City Park building.

Other incentives have drawn large companies to the city, like Caterpillar and Comcast, and have spurred other economically beneficial projects, like new hotels, he said.

“By offering incentives, the city is being a good partner to businesses and taxpayers alike. With all our incentives, businesses benefit, but taxpayers benefit more — through job creation, job training, public infrastructure improvements and tax revenue from private investment,” Rothschild said.

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Supports Affordable Care Act

While the Republican Congress works on a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, Rothschild continues to sing its praises.

“Since the ACA passed and the health insurance marketplace opened, we’ve reduced Pima County’s uninsured rate from 17 percent in 2013 to 11 percent in 2016. The Affordable Care Act has been a godsend for thousands of Tucsonans,” Rothschild told the 1,000-person crowd at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort.

Mexico critical

to local economy

The mayor continued to promote the region’s ties with Mexico, saying he wants to continue to build bridges with the country, which has become a Trump administration target.

He noted new nonstop flights to Hermosillo out of Tucson and a planned transportation conference to improve logistics between the two countries on trade issues. He said he would continue with friendly, respectful overtures to Mexican officials.

“As anyone who has run a successful business knows, good partners don’t alienate their suppliers — or their customers,” Rothschild said.

Won’t let the Legislature define Tucson

In a veiled comment about the city’s dispute with the state over the city’s program to destroy confiscated and forfeited firearms, Rothschild vowed to continue the legal fight. The city is awaiting a ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court and could see millions of dollars of state aid cut depending on how the court rules.

“Good partners don’t threaten to pull their funding if they don’t get their way on everything,” he said. “Local government exists to make decisions on local issues. If we lose that ability — if Tucson has to be just like Mesa, or Bisbee has to be just like Kingman — we lose the benefit of experimentation. We lose the diversity that sparks innovation. And for what?”