Tucson Engages Community After Sales Tax Proposal Rejected
Following the rejection of a proposed sales tax aimed at funding housing and first responder services, Tucson officials are organizing town halls to gather public input and address concerns regarding the city’s financial plans.
The initiative, known as Proposition 414, intended to raise approximately $80 million annually over a decade through a half-cent sales tax. However, it was defeated with 70% of voters opposing it.
The Tucson chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, represented by spokesperson Drew Fellows, voiced opposition to the measure. Fellows criticized the proposition for its focus on police funding, stating, “Ultimately, Prop. 414 concerned itself more with funding the police when there was a whole movement in Tucson and across the country because ultimately the police don’t give us housing, the police don’t give us health care.”
Fellows emphasized that voters prefer investments in affordable housing and community services, such as support for homelessness and addiction recovery. Proposition 414 planned to allocate about a third of its funds to first responders and equipment, including a surveillance aircraft for police. The remaining funds were earmarked for housing projects and related services.
City officials have noted that without the proposed tax, funding for certain housing and infrastructure projects remains uncertain.
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