What are your thoughts on Tempe Proposition 424, a half-cent sales-tax increase that goes to voters Nov. 3? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
OPINION — Tempe faces a significant budget challenge after the Arizona Legislature eliminated the residential rental tax, revenue the city relied on to provide transportation, education, public safety and other services.
It created a gap in Tempe’s long-term funding. Families still need affordable transportation. Children need access to early education. People experiencing homelessness need outreach and support. Victims of crime and domestic violence need someone to call. Seniors, working families and residents facing a crisis depend on local programs that help them remain safe, housed and connected to their community.
Proposition 424 would provide a stable source of funding for these services.
They aid families trying to avoid eviction or keep food on the table.
People cannot get to work, school, childcare, a doctor’s appointment or social-service agencies without reliable and affordable transportation.
Supporting early education through Tempe PRE-K helps children enter kindergarten ready to learn and gives working parents greater stability.
Our CARE 7 provides crisis intervention and advocacy. Our HOPE team connects people experiencing homelessness with housing, health care and behavioral-health services.
These investments are not luxuries. They serve people who have nowhere else to turn. They also allow Tempe to plan responsibly instead of making deeper cuts whenever the city faces a budget shortfall.
If Prop. 424 fails, essential services would most likely be protected first. But that would leave less money for other programs that are also essential.
Tempe is a caring community with a strong network of programs that support residents during difficult times. We should not allow these programs to become casualties of revenue loss created by the Legislature.
Tempe leads the Valley in human services. Passing Prop. 424 will ensure that we continue to do so for decades to come.
Randy Keating is a member of Tempe City Council. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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