By Dan Schweiker | Point of View
If you believe in conservative principles or conservation or both, then voting YES on Scottsdale’s Propositions 490 and 491 is an easy decision.
Prop 490 would protect, preserve, and maintain Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and parks, beginning in the Indian Bend Wash. It would also fund associated public safety costs.
Prop 490 takes the place of an expiring city sales tax with a new one at a lower rate. It will not raise property taxes, so it’s a much better way to keep Scottsdale’s Preserve and parks in top shape.
That’s especially true when you consider a big percentage of our sales tax revenue comes from people visiting Scottsdale. If a property tax were to fund these improvements the burden would be borne solely on the backs of Scottsdale residents and businesses. Yet, opponents of this measure — many of whom claim to be conservative — say an increase in property taxes would be preferable. Not in my view.
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the 44 citywide parks not only enhance Scottsdale’s quality of life, but they also enhance property values. And if the most recent wildfire season has taught us anything, our hard-working fire fighters deserve the resources to protect our homes. It’s a win-win for residents and homeowners.
Prop 490 has unprecedented legal protections to make sure the money is spent as intended. If only all government spending worked that way.
Prop 491 is all about local control. And it should resonate with conservatives. It gives Scottsdale the freedom to spend the money it already has by adjusting state-imposed spending limits. It’s not a tax increase. If our local leaders want to spend funds to give our police officers and fire fighters the resources they need, they should not be hampered by limits imposed by bureaucrats nearly 20 years ago. If they want to deliver superior city services our residents need and deserve, they don’t need government sanctioned obstacles.
Most of us moved to Scottsdale because we sought a higher quality of life. Let’s give our leaders the tools to make sure that quality of life never diminishes.
“Conservatives” opposing these measures clearly have lost their way. Let’s hope Scottsdale doesn’t lose its way. Please vote YES on Props 490 and 491.
Editor’s Note: Dan Schweiker is a Scottsdale resident and registered Republican
