Chamber Opposes Permanent Tax Increase

The Tucson Metro Chamber has long been a strong supporter of education and increased education funding. However, in the November election, the Chamber recommends a NO vote on Prop 204, the Strong Start Tucson High-Quality Early-Childhood Financial Aid Program.

Prop 204 is a proposal to authorize and implement an additional half-cent (0.5%) sales tax to fund early childhood education for children within the City of Tucson who are not yet eligible for kindergarten.

Our issue is not with the intent of Prop 204, which we regard to be noble. The Tucson Metro Chamber remains committed to supporting education from early childhood through the university level for all Arizona students. However, we believe that a permanent transaction privilege tax (sales tax) is not the appropriate solution. Our recommendation might have been different if the proposed tax had a sunset date that would allow Mayor and Council— along with other invested parties — to assess the success of the program and explore further options if needed. The Chamber also feels that Prop 204 deflects the obligation for funding education away from the state legislature, the body responsible for providing adequate funding for early childhood education. The Chamber will carry on its pro-education advocacy with the legislature.

The Tucson Metro Chamber encourages you to vote NO on Proposition 204 this November so that we may hold the state accountable and prevent an additional permanent sales tax from being imposed on Tucson residents.