The $250 Million Ask
Citing progress across the board, Tucson Mayor Rothschild makes the case for voters to approve sales tax
Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild got a big standing ovation when he took to the stage at last week’s State of the City speech.
Rothschild celebrated the city’s partnerships with other local jurisdictions in a speech that built the case for voters to support a temporary half-cent-per-dollar in a May 16 election.
Rothschild talked up the city’s efforts with the federal government, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the Regional Transportation Authority, local school districts, the Tucson Metro Chamber, Rio Nuevo and Mexico. He cited a number of wins for the city in areas of economic development, noting that Bloomberg News reported that Tucson had the third-fastest job growth rate of U.S. metro areas. He praised the increase in tourism and highlighted the construction of new hotels in downtown and near campus. He talked up changes that the city has made to streamline permit approvals and bring the budget into a structural balance. And he pointed out that the city has put the 2012 bond dollars that voters approved to good use, fixing more streets than promised ahead of schedule.
Toward the end of his speech, Rothschild asked: “Why am I telling you all this? Because now, as funding from the streets bond ends, we’re going to the voters with a new five-year plan.”
That five-year plan will be funded with the half-cent sales tax that expires in 2022. The proceeds would be directed toward improving Tucson’s streets and providing equipment and facilities for the Tucson Police Department and Tucson Fire Department.
The tax is expected to raise roughly $50 million a year, or $250 million over five years. An estimated 30 percent of that would go to the police department, 30 percent to the fire department and 40 percent to the roads.
The money wouldn’t go to salaries; instead, it would be directed toward new police cars, new fire trucks, bullet-proof vests and a whole bunch of other equipment the city has been too cash-strapped to afford in recent years.
The sales tax has the support of the Tucson Metro Chamber, the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, the Tucson Association of Realtors, the Pima County Democratic Party, the Tucson Police Officers Association, the Tucson Fire Fighters Association and Tucson Medical Center.
There’s no organized opposition to the sales-tax prop yet.
The White Stuff
U.S. Rep. McSally remains silent on Rep. Steve King’s expression of anglo supremacy
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) made the headlines last week with a tweet that celebrated the philosophy of far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, whose Party for Freedom got knocked down by voters in last week’s election in the Netherlands. In subsequent interviews, King has stood by his tweet.
Some Republicans have been critical of King’s statement, which comes on the heels of other expressions of white supremacy by the controversial lawmaker. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Michigan), whose parents immigrated from the Middle East, tweeted in response: “I’m an American no less than you are. I love our Constitution and traditions. Am I ‘somebody else’s’ baby because my parents are immigrants?”
But King told The Hill newspaper that many of his fellow Republicans have been supportive.
“My colleagues have generally been coming by and patting me on the back,” King said. “And a surprising number have said that they pray for me. And, meaning they support me and they agree with me, a surprising number.”
Whether U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ02) is among those critical of King or patting him on the back remains a mystery. Her office did not respond last week to two requests for comment on King’s tweet and comments.
Southern Arizona’s two Democratic congressmen condemned King’s remarks.
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ03) said that King’s tweet was a “wakeup calls for all Americans about the Republican Party’s true motivations in pursuing immigration reform. King was an early supporter of Donald Trump; he is a trusted advisor of the president on immigration reform; to characterize these views as anything other than mainstream in today’s Republican leadership would be false. The deafening silence from each and every one of King’s GOP colleagues only further conveys their silent approval of the hate he’s spewing.”
Grijalva added: “There was a time when virulent racism was considered appalling fringe behavior by both parties—now it’s clearly become the driving narrative for Republican leadership under Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump.”
Congressman Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ01) that the United States is “a nation rich in culture and diversity, and we are stronger for it.”
“To say we would better off as a homogenous society insults the generations of immigrants who have fought to defend our country, make it a better place, and all who call it home,” O’Halleran said. “This kind of hatred and animosity toward peaceful people who believe, look, think, or act differently has no place in America. These statements now, as there are increased threats and attacks on people who are or look Jewish, Muslim, and others.”
Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel airs at 5 p.m. Sundays on community radio KXCI, 91.3 FM, and at 1 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays on KEVT, 1210 AM.
This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2017.
No tax increase. Fix the roads.
Here was NV Sen. Cathy Cortez Masto on Twitter yesterday: “Theres no room for hate or discrimination in the White House. I will be an outspoken voice against that every time.” Would be so easy for Rep. McSally to do something similar. The fact that she refuses is very telling.
Republicans say the word , “LIBERAL” like it was some filthy disease ridden animal but they are too stupid to comprehend that Jesus, Jefferson, Washington, Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt were all LIBERALS otherwise there would be no PROGRESS in the United States or the world because Republicans are content to keep everything the same forever or regress into the past. Republicans are basically paranoid schizophrenic narcissistic bigots with delusions of grandeur and you can quote me on that.
Bengal Good:
Wrong, Again is a fake Christian who loves fake news and he’s probably the fakest personality you’ll ever encounter on this site.
I imagine he would be a sleazy used car salesman if his mama didn’t tolerate his stank ass stankin’ up the family basement for the last 40+ of his physical (not mental, check out what he posts for proof) adult years.
I wouldn’t necessarily label all Republicans as being too stupid or paranoid schizophrenic narcissistic bigots with delusions of grandeur…but the pest known as Wrong, Again definitely fits into all of those categories.
Great job, Mr. Mayor. All we need are more taxes and more illegals.
Where America’s poorest live:
5. Tucson, Arizona
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2960111/America-s-poorest-cities-revealed-country-s-proud-industrial-heartlands-struggling-bankruptcy-foreclosures-seven-years-financial-crisis.html
Poorest for populations over 500,000, NOT overall.
Plus the article was published over 2 years ago.
Get out of the basement and get some fresh air. Your posts are as stale as the basement air you’re huffing.
What, Again: I’m curious and concerned why you felt the need to post a link to an article about a rise in death among whites. How did you feel this was relevant? Are you concerned about the future of white people? Do you think Obama secretly poisoned white people, and we’re now seeing the effects? Do you truly think “liberals” are happy about this news? I genuinely would like your (truthful) answers.
stalecloud – I did respond to you but AC/DC in concert with editor Mari once again deleted my post. They protect their safe space at all costs.
I noticed that same story in the WSJ. There really is no conclusive evidence to any real facts surrounding the findings. My own speculation centers around depression, deep dissatisfaction with career/income dreams and war.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/death-rates-rise-for-wide-swath-of-white-adults-1490240740
The sad facts about suicide is that it, much like drug use is happening in bad and good economies.
People seem to have lost their anchor which for most is faith in a higher being. Someone to answer to.
Thoughts?
What, Again I thank you for answering but I find it hard to believe they deleted a post that wasn’t overly dubious in some way. Considering the posts of yours that don’t get deleted, I’m sure it was a humdinger. Maybe try again?
“No tax increase. Fix the roads.” Using what, Monopoly money? Your hopes and dreams? As Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr wrote, “Taxes are the price we pay for civilization.”
You are being played DRW. I would advise them to use our tax dollars that have been contributed. They may have a problem with priorities,…but I don’t. TPD and TFD can’t get to the action of they are stick in a rut. Just like our City Council.
stalecloud – “I find it hard to believe they deleted a post that wasn’t overly dubious in some way”
Mari and AC/DC are your typical hate filled liberals, dubious to them is anything they don’t agree with. They routinely call those that disagree racists and bigots, trait they exhibit every time they open their mouths.
I will tell you this, I documented how Obama hates whites, how Jim Nintzel is nothing more than a white guilt liberal and that Raul Grijalva, the militant MEChA devotee is the most racist and bigoted person there could be for Nintzel to profile him as a standard calling others racists.
And I asked if Mr. Mayor has apologized when he referenced the threats against Jewish Community Centers as increasing since Trump’s election and therefore his supporters were responsible. As sleaze ball a statement as when liberals accused Tea Party of being responsible for the shooting of Giffords and that he seems perfectly content with Tucson being the 5th poorest in the country.
No hate or liberalism here.
Just dog tired of Wrong, Again’s fake Christian hatred.
WWJD?
He would definitely not approve of the in(s)ane rants of a major internet troll like Wrong, Again.
Sorry, but if you’re blaming me for deleting a post, not some Australian hard blues rock band, then you must get your head out of your ass and realise 3 things:
1) The comment I posted at 9.39 am was the last time I was here to do anything besides the comment above. I never even read this deleted comment.
2) I am NOT an employee of TW. I have no power to remove commentary, which is fortunate for you. Also, I am not able to report on a comment which I never even read.
3) I will call you a racist, bigot, hypocrite and fake Christian because you’re all that and so much lower. You prove it in all your hate filled posts, of which all should be removed, so it doesn’t shock me that one got removed today.
If you want to be a true Christian, start now. Look in the mirror and see who you really are. Obtain some real Christian values and beliefs.
There’s nothing wrong with having a difference of opinion, but when you act like a disrespectful asshole about it, you will get called out on it and possibly have your ill commentary removed. Now get back in your safe space bubble before mommy notices you’re missing.
I’m so sorry for my last post. My diaper was full and I just couldn’t think straight.
Nice try bitch.
I have an account, which everyone can click on to see my history.
Being the chicken shit you are, you will never do that.
And what is it about you and diapers Wrong, Again.
Seek therapy quickly, you’re slipping down the slope harder than ever.
Sincerely,
The Real AZ/DC! (Not some pathetic bitch.)
Just in case the post above gets removed, and I imagine it will because Wrong, Again is a really sensitive guy, I’ll be a little cleaner with this one.
Time to grow up and be a real Christian Wrong, Again, not the fake one you’ve been displaying online.
Dismiss your diaper fetish, walk up the stairs and out of mama’s basement. Your constant presence is aging her well beyond her years. She figured you would’ve moved out like your siblings did well over 30 years ago.
Comment on websites…hell, grow some stones and establish a viewable account on TW, you know, like the one I have…but learn to be cordial. Go ahead, Google it. C-O-R-D-I-A-L. I understand, words that relate to being kind are tough for you. This is why it’s time to step up.
Then, seek the therapy you so desperately need. Maybe you’ll learn that the term “liberal” isn’t akin to “Satan”. Maybe your racism and misogyny will fade away. Maybe you’ll quit referring to people as snowflakes, fruitcakes, illegals and gordas. Maybe, just maybe.
Get the help you sooo desperately need ASAP. It’s never too late…until it’s too late.
Sincerely,
The Real AZ/DC! (Not some sad, twisted, pathetic conservative ewe.)
The problem with getting people to vote “yes” on taxes in Tucson is they have been burned too many times by politicians who trot out the most noble reasons for rate increases and end up spending the money raised on the most ignoble pet projects, which they could never have gotten approved by the voters, not to mention (although I’m mentioning it) the temporary taxes that Tucson has enacted in the past that just kept being assessed well past the time they were supposed to have ended — oops.
I agree that our police and fire departments need the tools necessary to accomplish their vital missions, but if the city’s political leaders pull another bait and switch it will be a long, long time before they see voter approval for anything, which means they will have to conjure up the mysterious methods they used to get the RTA approved. To this day, I haven’t met ANYONE who voted yes on the RTA, yet it still passed.
Thank you sgsmith. That is exactly why voters will not approve a tax increase. And just so that you are fully informed, Regina Romero has come up with a scheme to recreate the Santa Cruz riverflow for the westside. Any wonder how it will be funded?
Grand Canyon University should have been built on the El Rio Golf Course. But instead she has visions of “urban riparian areas” dancing in her head. Will she spray the stagnant pools with DDT to kill the mosquitos?
But go ahead and get the Fire and Police Unions to beg for the money so she can take it. The constant drip drip drip of lousy leadership. This community is choking in it.
It’s not asking for a lot, but the problem is temporary taxes are rarely temporary. Write it so that they CANNOT move the money and CANNOT ask for an extension after the five years.