Tearing Apart the Data of the Scottsdale Elections: Propositions 490 and 491

Scottsdale’s recent elections were interesting ones, with an incumbent mayor losing and two incumbent councilmembers losing their bids for re-election. And there was one (well, two) very clear winners in this election: Propositions 490 and 491. As a reminder, Proposition 490 served as an extension of the existing 0.2% sales tax which was expiring this year, reducing it to 0.15% … Read More

Guest Editorial: Prop 491 – A Straight Answer to Naysayers

By Councilwoman Betty Janik Prop 491 asks voters to approve a $22M adjustment to the base expenditure limit. This amount is calculated and regulated by the state. The ballot language (tagline text) with the $22M request is standard text used by Scottsdale in the past along with all other cities. Additionally, Arizona League of Cities and Towns provides this draft … Read More

Guest Editorial: Get Set to Vote!

By Councilmember Solange Whitehead Arizona’s election officially kicks off this week and there is a lot at stake Let’s remember: The truth matters, real leaders solve problems, and peddlers of misinformation never represent the public’s best interests. Mayor Dave Ortega Gets My Endorsement People who get a lot done often make success look effortless and that sums up the story … Read More

Guest Editorial: Improved Parks and Better Public Safety with 100% Accountability are Good for Scottsdale and Our Economy.

By the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce urges you to please vote YES on Proposition 490, the “To Protect and To Preserve Scottsdale” ballot measure. This measure will take the place of an expiring city sales tax at a lower rate to fund improvements and increased maintenance for parks citywide, beginning in the aging … Read More

Scottsdale’s Dirty Little Secret: “Conservatives” and “Tax Increases”

By Ronald Sampson We’ve all seen this movie before in Scottsdale: when any sort of tax is mentioned in any capacity, so-called conservatives come out of the woodwork and tell you about how the money will be wasted, how it’s unnecessary, etc. Time and time again, regardless of the merits of the tax, lobbyists set the messaging and political candidates, … Read More

Guest Editorial: Happy 30th Birthday Sweet Lady

By Councilwoman Betty Janik Our beloved McDowell Sonoran Preserve turns 30 years old on October 3, 2024.  I applaud the vision of our city leaders who recognized the value of the McDowells and preserved it for posterity.  I applaud the wisdom of our citizenry who supported the land acquisition with their vote and dollars.  The Preserve has grown to over … Read More

Leaving an Unfortunate Legacy: What Bob Littlefield has Wrong About Prop 490

By Alexander Lomax For those of you who have followed Proposition 490 and Scottsdale politics as a whole, you probably have noticed some familiar teams shaping up. Where absolutely anything related to tax dollars comes to a vote, the Goldwater Institute will pipe up and go to war against it, no matter how much it’s in the best interests of … Read More

The Facts on Prop 490

By the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale Information by : Former Scottsdale Mayor and Prop 490 PAC– Mary Manross and  Carla– Campaign Coordinator & Preserve Pioneer Prop 490 is one of Scottsdale’s most publicly vetted, legally protected ballot measures. Time for some facts about 490, a ballot measure, created by residents to benefit our entire city. It will improve and better … Read More

Guest Editorial: Update on the Protect and Preserve Ballot Initiative

By Councilmember Tammy Caputi I’ve always been a strong proponent of our parks, Preserve, and open space, and the value they bring to our city. What makes us great is the unmatched outdoor amenities we provide our residents. I applaud past Councils for the foresight to purchase the pristine desert landscape which would become Scottsdale’s greatest asset. Council was very … Read More