Prop. 200 - A slippery slope
You can always count on the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to be in favor of sound public policy. We support policy that has purpose and reason, not excess that grows the immense bureaucracy of government. It is imperative that government be run as smoothly as possible in order for your business to thrive, not needlessly meddling in your business or raising taxes and fees so high you wonder if you will still be open next month.

The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is OPPOSED to Proposition 200, the so-called “Public Safety First Initiative.” This proposition is bad public policy that threatens to tie the hands of our elected leaders, whether we like them or not. With costs that become increasingly higher as time passes and no funding source to pay for the required staffing levels puts the City of Tucson on a slippery slope.

Just in the past week, this Chamber has been accused of being in bed with the City, publicly called trite and out of touch with Tucsonans. I couldn’t disagree more. First, I say look at whom we endorsed for City council – not a single incumbent. It is time for change at City hall. Second, we will not fall into line with an issue because it sounds good and everyone supports police and fire. We think the City’s police and fire departments are good – no, great – but Proposition 200 is not the way to show support. Thirdly, this initiative is a ploy by union leaders and a few organizations to get their way with City leaders by playing off the emotional impact of police and fire issues.

The campaign for Proposition 200 would have you believe crime in our City is rising at an alarming rate. In fact the opposite has occurred. The crime rate has steadily declined over the past three years, including violent crime. Two-thirds of the $426 million general fund for the City is already spent on public safety, leaving the cost for this initiative to be found in the remaining $149 million. With estimates of over $50 million a year to implement this initiative, only a very small amount in the budget will be left to cover every other department in the City, Parks & Recreation and Transportation just to name a few. When was the last time you hit a pothole? When was the last time you used a park?

What might be the worst part of this entire initiative is that it amends the City Charter using standards that are out of date. Proposition 200 cites the 2004 NFPA 1710 standard for the 4-minute response time of fire units. This industry standard is being updated this year to new levels that have been vetted industry-wide to reflect best practices. While much of the Nation will update to this new standard, if this proposition passes, Tucson will be left behind because our City charter will mandate the use of the 2004 version and not the evolving best practices of the firefighting industry.  With staffing levels mandated, money must be spent on bodies to meet the mandate. This takes away money from being spent on technology that is more efficient and makes both the police officers and firefighters safer, not to mention Tucsonans. The professionals we have running our police and fire departments should be allowed to manage their organizations and not be strong-armed by the heads of unions.

With the economy not yet recovering, the State budget a fiasco, and the City facing worsening bond ratings, now is not the time to be recklessly spending our tax dollars. Change is needed in Tucson city government. Propositions are not the way to achieve the change needed. Instead we must elect new leaders –leaders who have vision for our community—and not tie their hands with costly mandates before they are even elected. It is important that you and your employees recognize what this initiative will do to our city and vote “NO” on Prop. 200.