The Pima County Committee of the Arizona Libertarian Party
CONTACT: David Euchner, Chairman: (520) 400-8324
Read the press release about the filing of these arguments
Argument Against Proposition 200
Last year, some of us urged you to reject the proposed transportation sales tax increase, and you did so overwhelmingly. There are many similar reasons why voters should reject this new attempt to raise their taxes.
THIS SALES TAX INCREASE IS UNFAIR AND ANTI-BUSINESS!
The congestion on our roads is due to both county and city residents, yet businesses in the county won't collect this proposed sales tax increase. That makes it "anti-business" because to save money many people will go outside the city to buy their big ticket items.
OUR SALES TAX IS HIGH ENOUGH!
Tucson already has a lofty sales tax and passage of this measure would make it a whopping 7.9%, one of the highest rates in the United States.
WHY NOT GAS TAX?
A higher tax on gasoline is a fair way to pay for transportation because it is a "user fee". Our state constitution mandates that gasoline tax money can only be spent on roads. If we need more money for road maintenance, then we should raise the gas tax and index it to inflation.
Our transportation system needs improvement but a Sales Tax Hike is the Wrong way to go to pay for it. Just like last year, we urge you to vote against the sales tax increase.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 200.
Signed,
David Devine - David Fossdal - Susie Morris - Chuck Freitas
(signing as individuals)
PIMA COUNTY LIBERTARIAN PARTY
David Euchner, Chairman
Jason Auvenshine, First Vice-Chairman
Sandra Abbey, Second Vice-Chairwoman
Sally Milo, Secretary
Katharine Kent, Treasurer
Argument Against Proposition 201
Proposition 201 is an expensive boondoggle that will hurt Tucson.
LIGHT RAIL = TROLLEY CARS
Don't be fooled into believing that "light rail" is some futuristic technology. This is nothing more than an expensive trolley car, not unlike what rolls down Fourth Avenue.
LIGHT RAIL WILL NOT RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Studies in other cities with light rail demonstrate that traffic congestion is not affected by light rail. The proposed trolley routes would not serve the vast majority of Tucson commuters.
LIGHT RAIL IS TOO EXPENSIVE
Even if it could be built for $500 million (expect to hear that figure double after the election), this is obscenely expensive for 13 miles of rail. With under 500,000 residents, this proposition will cost more than $1,000 for every man, woman and child in Tucson.
FEDERAL MONEY IS NOT GUARANTEED
The sponsors believe that 80% of this transportation plan will be funded by the federal government. There is no reason whatsoever to believe that the federal government will come through with this money. Not only has it made no commitments to fund this project, but also the federal government is well known for breaking commitments.
EMINENT DOMAIN
If your house or business is in the way of the light rail plan, your private property will be taken against your will by the government. No amount of money is worth being kicked out of your own home.
TUCSON NEEDS A GOOD TRANSPORTATION PLAN
We need an innovative, private enterprise plan that serves Tucson's commuters. Not this economy-busting, government funded plan that does nothing to relieve traffic congestion.
Signed,
PIMA COUNTY LIBERTARIAN PARTY
David Euchner, Chairman
Jason Auvenshine, First Vice-Chairman
Sandra Abbey, Second Vice-Chairwoman
Sally Milo, Secretary
Katharine Kent, Treasurer
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