This year your ballot will have numerous propositions for you to consider. No matter your political affiliation, it is important to get informed and vote. We represent two organizations that serve the business and philanthropic communities. The goal of both our organizations is to improve the quality of life and our economy in the region. Accordingly, we present to you our recommendations on four key propositions, two statewide and two regional.
Vote “no” on Proposition 126 or the Protect Arizona Taxpayers Act. This proposition would amend the Arizona Constitution and prohibit state and local governments from enacting new taxes on services or increasing tax rates on services. This change is unnecessary because there is no movement in the state toward taxing services. Moreover, state law would make it extremely difficult to impose a new tax on services: Doing so would require a vote of two-thirds of the Legislature and the signature of the governor. Equally important, tax policy belongs in statute, not the constitution.
Vote “no” on Prop 305, or the Expansion of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Referendum. Prop 305 seeks to make all K-12 students eligible to apply for an Empowerment Scholarship Account or ESA. Currently, these scholarships are available primarily for special-needs students and those at poorly-performing schools.
This proposition would require almost no reporting from ESA recipients on where the money goes, how it’s spent, or the educational outcomes. It takes money out of our already-underfunded public school system. Ninety percent of children are in public schools in Arizona, yet we rank 48th in public school funding. Worst of all, this proposition could prevent special needs and other current ESA eligible students from obtaining funding in the future.
In Pima County, we both agree on two bond propositions that would improve our region.
Vote “yes” on Proposition. 463, for Regional Road Reconstruction, Preservation and Repair. Prop. 463 would authorize Pima County to issue $430 million worth of bonds with the money to be used to fix our roads. Nearly 70 percent of the roads in Pima County are rated poor or failed. The state of our roads directly reflects our community, our economy and our values. We need to begin to take care of them now.
Prop. 463 is an opportunity to raise money that would go to each of the cities and towns in the region to address road maintenance. Significantly, it would not increase the current secondary property tax rate.
Vote “yes” on Proposition. 407, the city of Tucson Bonds for Parks and Connections. Prop. 407 is seeking voter authorization to issue $225 million in general obligation bonds. The funding would be used to improve and repair city parks, add new features such as splash parks and athletic fields, and build three new parks.
The proposition also includes 53 safety and mobility improvements that connect people to parks, local services, transit systems, libraries and schools. The quality and accessibility to the outdoors and recreation are important elements of the quality of life in our community. Importantly, all of this will be done without increasing the current tax rate.
We are proud to call Tucson and Pima County our home. It is essential that we invest in our infrastructure now to ensure that our economy continues to thrive and that we improve our public spaces for all to enjoy and benefit from. Our votes reflect not only our values, but also our belief in the future.
We urge you to vote “NO” on statewide Propositions 126 and 305 and to vote “YES” on local propositions 407 and 463.
