Local opinion: Prop 414 is a bad deal for Tucsonans

The following is the opinion and an analysis of the writer:

Proposition 414 is a lousy deal for Tucson’s working families, especially in a community where personal incomes are already below the national average. If 414 passes, we will face the highest city sales tax rate of any major Arizona city, for the next 10 years.

This increase will hit our Tucson families and businesses hardest, making it even more difficult for those struggling to make ends meet. This regressive tax will hurt the poorest individuals in Tucson the most. While wealthier individuals can easily absorb these higher costs, working families I proudly represent and have been advocating for over the last seven years as a legislator cannot. Many are struggling to put food on their table and should not be forced to prioritize food or gas in their budgets if the city is unwilling to go back and prioritize their budget and spending. It’s unfair to ask the most vulnerable populations to bear the cost of this tax increase.

In a city like Tucson, led by Democrats who often advocate for social equity, the current budget priorities do not reflect the people’s needs. Instead of burdening the poorest with a tax that impacts their daily lives, the city should be focused on policies and solutions that lift people out of poverty and provide real opportunities for economic mobility.

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Tucson voters have already shouldered the most significant sales tax increase of any city in Arizona over the last decade, approving three other sales tax proposals already. How many times will we be asked to bear the burden? As reported by media outlets earlier this month, the city is projecting a budget surplus over projections this year, and actual revenues are exceeding expectations.

I fully support the funding of fire and law enforcement to ensure the safety of our community, but this isn’t the right way to do it. While other cities like Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe allocate over 40% of their budgets to police and public safety, Tucson only allocates 30%. This critical gap needs to be addressed first. With general fund spending that has grown by over 50% in the past decade, we must ensure that essential services are prioritized before seeking new taxes.

The city claims this tax is necessary due to a reduction in state income tax. Still, sales tax revenue is already higher than anticipated in 2025, and Prop 414 will generate far more revenue than the city needs to cover any state-induced shortfalls.

We cannot continue burdening working families and small businesses with new taxes. Tucson’s leadership must prioritize the immediate needs of our people and invest in long-term solutions that reduce inequality rather than continuing to rely on regressive taxes. Tucson deserves better than Proposition 414. It’s time to put our families and businesses first.