Folks, we need to get off the fence and face the reality that passing Prop 414 is necessary if we want the level of police, fire and shelter services we expect and which will maintain our reputation as a top destination to live, work, retire and recreate. During my congressional runs, City residents constantly voiced their concern about crime, homelessness, and increasing wait times in response to 911 calls. As
@NikkiLeeAZ laid out in her excellent Feb. 28 Star op-ed, the City is extremely limited in its ability to shift funds from one “pot” to another, Ducey’s flat tax will reduce the City’s share of state tax revenues and due to Trump’s efforts to freeze and claw back fed’l grants, upwards of $280 million in fed’l funds for the City is at risk. No one likes a tax increase, and personally I would have allocated it a bit differently, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking we can magically find $800 million for public safety in today’s fiscal environment. I'm voting Yes on 414 and I encourage you to do the same. Please remember your ballots need to be mailed back by today, otherwise you will need to vote in person next Tuesday.