Why we’re voting no on Tempe Prop. 424

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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.

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Enough is enough: Vote no on Tempe Prop. 424

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OPINION — Funding for preschools, public safety and transit all sound appealing on paper, but Tempe’s leadership hasn't earned the trust to wisely and fairly spend the millions that this permanent tax hike would cost us.

City officials have a track record of squandering public funds, wasting millions on the Mill Avenue project ($2 million on a garish sign), over purchasing tech equipment that’s gathering dust, and a $10 million vanity remodel of City Hall.

This proposed tax has no sunset clause, giving the city a permanent blank check and guaranteeing future wasteful projects.

Who pays for this unchecked spending? As usual, those who can least afford it. Sales taxes always hit low- and middle-income residents hardest. When families are already stretched thin, demanding more money from struggling taxpayers while failing to manage existing resources is unacceptable. 

There’s also a lack of transparency that goes beyond how the city spends your money.

It’s about how this tax increase got on the ballot, rushed through with minimal resident input, scheduled to be voted on before our two new councilmembers could even be sworn in and then effectively stripped of future public oversight.

Instead of being able to vote on a single issue, as we always have, the city deliberately bundled extra funding for the Police and Fire departments with preschool funding in order to encourage a yes vote. Who can say no to kindergartners?

Taxpayers are entitled to vote on important measures individually. We all deserve a government that respects our hard-earned dollars, prioritizes essential services over vanity projects and lives within its means and ours.

Until they demonstrate disciplined, transparent use of funds already at their disposal, taxpayers shouldn't be asked for more.  

Vote no on Prop. 424.

Gayle Shanks and Bob Sommer are longtime Tempe business owners. 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.