👎NO on Prop 420 & YES on Question 1 👍


In case you may have missed it: The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce has announced its opposition to Proposition 420, the initiative to change the City Charter, and its support of Question 1, raising the sales tax to address transportation issues.
 
I endorse the Chamber’s positions on both issues, which will be on the November 6th ballot.


The Chamber stated that Prop 420, which addresses the sustainability of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the use of preserve funds, lacks clarity and is open to interpretation.  I agree. 


Furthermore, Prop 420 empowers an unelected and unaccountable group of volunteers, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, to make and mediate decisions about the future of the Preserve.  As a consequence, this group of volunteers would circumvent the authority of the City Council, who you elect to be accountable to citizens.

Proposition 420 is poor public policy and, if passed, would set a regrettable precedent for how we govern our city.

Question 1 raises the sales tax 0.10 percent for a period of 10 years.  The tax is regressive and is not the best practice for funding our city’s capital projects because it only funds 15% of the cost of our growing infrastructure needs.  However, I am joining the Chamber in supporting Question 1 because it will fund some of our most critical transportation projects and allow the city to receive matching funds from Maricopa County.


Please be sure to vote in this important election:

NO on Prop 420; YES on Question 1.


Sincerely, 
Virginia Korte
PS:  If you have any questions pertaining to voting, go to the City’s website, https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/elections or contact the City Clerk’s Office, 480-312-2412.Â