Proposition 414, an initiative that would have increased local sales tax by half a percent to a total of 9.2%, was failing after voting ended Tuesday according to unofficial results from the city of Tucson.
The city received 76,480 ballots, 25.01% of eligible voters in the area, with 53,350, or 69.76%, voting against the measure. Another 23,084 voters, or 30.18%, voted yes.
“Public safety is really going to lose out on on some desperately needed funding. Same thing with affordable housing and and some social services,” Adam Kinsey, a spokesperson for the Yes on Prop 414 Campaign, told Arizona Luminaria.
Kinsey said that he and fellow supporters of the proposition were surprised by tonight’s outcome which, he said, did not reflect their initial polling results. He attributes the shift in attitude to economic uncertainty.
“I think, honestly, this result, as resounding as it is, points to the general economic anxiety that everybody is feeling,” he said.
The city council initiative proposed a half-cent sales tax increase in Tucson for investments in five categories: Affordable Housing and Shelter, Neighborhood & Community Resilience, Enhanced Emergency Response, Technology Investments and Capital Investments for First Responders.
Despite the proposition’s failure, Kinsey said the city still needs to find money to fill the significant funding gaps caused by state tax cuts — particularly the state’s 2.5% flat tax — that have greatly impacted municipalities,.
“There is still so many needs for public safety and for affordable housing and social services that we can’t just say ‘oh this this sucks’ and then just move on to the next thing. There is no next thing. We’ve got we’ve got to figure out how we are going to find funds,” he said.
Joel Strabala, the LD-17 chairman for the Pima County GOP, said he’s glad Prop 14 didn’t pass. He told Arizona Luminaria he didn’t think the proposal aligned with Tucson residents.
“I am really worried that city council is spending money on things that city tax payers don’t want and most don’t need,” he said.
Strabala said he thinks the city should look at its existing budget to find the funds for public safety initiatives, rather than looking to residents to pay more.
“I’d rather have lower taxes and less feel good things and more money for police, fire, and public safety than they’re currently putting in it,” he said.
The tax would have generated about $80 million per year, according to city estimates, and would have been spent on specific projects outlined by city leaders in the five categories.
Almost a third of the money would have gone into capital investments for first responders, including equipment, an airplane, vehicles and remodels for some buildings.
A smaller portion of the fund, 17.5%, would have supported affordable housing and shelter initiatives, including the construction of new affordable housing, the preservation of existing city-owned housing, and the operation of low-barrier shelters to assist those experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, investments in neighborhood and community resilience, which made up 16.75%, would have focused on workforce development programs, citywide clean-up efforts, and initiatives designed to reduce gun violence.
Prop. 414 would have also established a tax oversight commission to monitor fund usage and ensure the money is being used as intended.
The Tucson City Council initiated the proposal to “help offset declining state-shared revenues that are a result of the recent 2.5% flat state income tax.” According to city staff, the city will receive $400 million less in state-shared revenues over the next 10 years.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, along with members of the Tucson City Council, endorsed the measure with city council member Lane Santa Cruz describing Prop. 414 as a crucial investment in housing, community safety, and vital services that will shape Tucson’s future.
Other supporters of Prop. 414 included major public safety organizations such as the Tucson Police Officers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, which each donated $10,000 to the Yes on Prop 414 campaign, and the Tucson Fire Fighters Association, which gave $55,000 to the campaign.
Additionally, some social service agencies, including Old Pueblo Community Services and I Am You 360, expressed their support.
The opposition, including the Tucson Metro Chamber, launched a No on 414 campaign with funding from the Tucson Association of Realtors and the Arizona Multi Housing Association. They argued that the half-cent sales tax increase would have made Tucson’s total sales tax higher than other Arizona cities, negatively impacting consumers and businesses.
A coalition of mutual aid groups, including Community Care Tucson, Amphi Liberation Mutual Aid, Gator-Aid Tucson, and the Tucson Tenants Union, also opposed the measure, claiming it prioritized policing and surveillance technology over community needs.
Additional opposition came from the Tucson Crime Free Coalition, the Pima County Republican Party, the Green Party of Pima County, and the Tucson branch of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Previous city sales taxes votes
In 2022, Prop. 411 passed with 73% yes votes, which extended an existing sales tax (not a tax increase) to help pay for street repair and street safety projects.
In 2017, Tucson voters approved Prop. 101, a half-cent sales tax to pay for public safety and road improvements. It expired in 2022 and was replaced by Prop 411.
Also in 2017, Tucson voters approved Prop. 203 with just over 50% yes votes, which raised sales taxes by one-tenth of 1% to fund the Reid Park Zoo. However, voters rejected Prop. 204, a sales tax measure to fund early childhood education with 65% voting no.
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