💰 Tax Troubles in Tucson: Proposition 414's Heavy Burden

A critical look at how a proposed sales tax increase could disproportionately affect working-class residents in Tucson.

Jan 31, 2025

🙊 Notable quotes from the show

Michael Geiman (Tucson Metro Chamber President):
- "Another half-cent sales tax takes this region up to 9.2%. It'd be amongst the highest in the state with communities above the population of 75,000."
- On city budgeting: "The city is talking about how the 2.5% flat tax... is creating a $27 million shortfall, but it's actually somewhat of a red herring."
Shelly Fishman (Financial Advisor):
- "The government is not a corporation. The government does not have the same set of objectives that private corporations and private markets have."
- On corporate leaders in government: "These are people who are focused on making a lot of money for themselves and their stockholders who are more and more in positions of responsibility within the government."
Mitch Tobin (Water Desk Expert):
- "Scientists are telling us... the entire region is aridifying and getting drier."
- On climate change impact: "Snow is arriving later, it's coming more as rain in the beginning of the season. And then likewise, because of warming temperatures, it doesn't stick around as long as it did before."

😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾

The Buckmaster Show tackled several pressing issues on January 6, 2024, including Proposition 414 💰, which proposes a significant sales tax increase burdening Tucson's working-class citizens 😞. Financial advisor Shelly Fishman 📊 analyzed the economic impacts of recent market disruptions caused by advancements in AI technology 🤖. Water expert Mitch Tobin 💧 reported alarming developments regarding the ongoing drought in the Southwest 🌵 and its implications for the Colorado River Basin 🌊. Lastly, local historian Ken Scoville 📚 reflected on Tucson's rich history 📜 as it celebrates its 250th anniversary 🎉.

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🗝️ Takeaways

💰 Proposition 414 proposes a half-cent sales tax increase, raising Tucson's rate to 9.2%, impacting mainly working-class residents.
📈 Shelly Fishman discusses the financial repercussions of AI market developments, including an $800 billion loss in one day.
💧 Mitch Tobin warns of the Colorado River Basin's critical water shortages and ongoing drought conditions.
🏛️ Ken Scoville highlights Tucson's history ahead of its 250th anniversary, emphasizing its evolution from local institutions to major tourist destinations.

Voices of Tucson: A Deep Dive into Local Perspectives on January 28, 2025

On a chilly Tuesday morning in Tucson, Bill Buckmaster, the venerable voice of local radio, welcomed listeners to another enlightening episode of the Buckmaster Show.

Broadcasting from the Green Things Zocalo Village Studio, this 15-year running program continues to be a critical platform for understanding the pulse of Southern Arizona.

Today's lineup featured four remarkable guests:

Michael Geiman from the Tucson Metro Chamber,
Financial advisor Shelly Fishman,
Water expert Mitch Tobin,
Local historian Ken Scoville – each bringing unique insights into our community's most pressing issues.

💰 Taxation Without Representation: The Dangerous Dance of Proposition 414

Another regressive tax that hits working-class Tucsonans where it hurts most.

Proposition 414 represents everything wrong with municipal financial thinking—a lazy, short-sighted attempt to balance budgets on the backs of everyday citizens. Michael Geiman from the Tucson Metro Chamber delivered a devastating critique that should make every Tucson resident take notice.

The proposed half-cent sales tax increase would catapult Tucson to a staggering 9.2% sales tax rate—the highest among comparable cities in Arizona.

Let that sink in. While neighboring communities like Oro Valley sit at 8.1% and Pima County at 6.1%, Tucson wants to burden its residents with an additional financial strain.

Geiman's breakdown was ruthlessly precise:

The proposed tax would push Tucson's rate far beyond regional comparisons
Small businesses would be the first casualties, potentially driving commerce outside city limits
The city has alternative funding mechanisms it's deliberately ignoring

Damning Quote: "Another half-cent sales tax takes this region up to 9.2%. It'd be amongst the highest in the state with communities above the population of 75,000."

The historical context is equally revealing. Geiman pointed out that Tucson has previously navigated financial challenges without resorting to sales tax increases:

In fiscal year 2012, the city cut $55 million from its budget without raising taxes
Post-9/11, in fiscal years 2002-2003, the city cut $100 million without a sales tax hike

The playbook hasn't changed – just the political will to make tough decisions.

The Chamber's alternative proposals are straightforward:

Perform a comprehensive budget review
Reallocate existing funds more efficiently
Consider alternative funding mechanisms like reinstating bus fares ($12 million annually)
Use bond measures for specific capital expenditures

Strategic Insight: The city currently allocates only 30% of its general fund to police, compared to Phoenix's 48% and Mesa's 53%. Geiman says there’s room for strategic reallocation, not additional taxation.

This isn't just about numbers – it's about equity, economic sustainability, and responsible governance. Proposition 414 is a textbook example of municipal laziness, targeting working-class residents instead of making meaningful structural changes.

💸 Economic Rollercoaster: Shelly Fishman's Unvarnished Market Analysis

Financial advisor Shelly Fishman delivered a masterclass in economic complexity, dissecting market dynamics with surgical precision. Her commentary ranged from global AI developments to the potential reshaping of American manufacturing.

The AI Market Disruption:

A Chinese company, DeepSeek, claimed to develop an advanced AI product for $56 million in just six months
This claim sent shockwaves through the tech sector, particularly impacting chip manufacturer NVIDIA
Estimated market impact: An astounding $800 billion in wealth evaporation in a single day

Provocative Quote: "These are people who are focused on making a lot of money for themselves and their stockholders who are more and more in positions of responsibility within the government."

Onshoring and Manufacturing Challenges: Fishman expertly unpacked the complexities of bringing manufacturing back to the United States:

Companies must radically restructure 5-10 year plans
Domestic workers demand significantly higher wages
Automation levels might negate potential job creation benefits
Higher production costs could ultimately burden consumers

Critical Observation: The potential economic restructuring might look good on paper but could create more complications than solutions.

💧 Water Wars: Mitch Tobin's Drought Diagnosis

Mitch Tobin from the Water Desk delivered a sobering report on the Colorado River Basin's dire water situation. Climate change is not just coming – it's here.

Key revelations included:

Snowpack levels at critically low percentages
Ongoing mega-drought affecting the entire Southwest
Reservoir levels at Lake Powell and Mead remain dangerously low
Potential water allocation conflicts among seven states

Money quote: "Scientists are telling us... the entire region is aridifying and getting drier."

🏛️ Tucson's Hidden Histories: Ken Scoville's Historical Journey

Local historian Ken Scoville celebrated Tucson's upcoming 250th founding anniversary, highlighting the rich tapestry of local institutions. From the Gem and Mineral Show's humble beginnings in an elementary school cafeteria to the evolution of tourism marketing, Scoville reminded us that every great city has a story waiting to be told.

Intriguing tidbit: In the 1920s, Tucson's top tourist destinations were the San Xavier Mission and the ruins of Fort Lowell!

Wrapping Up the Broadcast

Another compelling episode of the Buckmaster Show leaves us with more questions than answers. We've navigated municipal finances, economic uncertainties, water crises, and historical revelations – all before most people's lunch break.

Reader Engagement:

What are your thoughts on Proposition 414? Would you support a sales tax increase for public safety?
How will climate change impact our local community in the next decade?

Drop your comments below and keep the conversation going!

👥 People Mentioned:

Interviewed Guests:

Michael Geiman - President/CEO of Tucson Metro Chamber
Shelly Fishman - Financial Advisor
Mitch Tobin - Water Desk Co-Director at University of Colorado
Ken Scoville - Local Historian

Other Notable Mentions:

Bill Buckmaster - Radio Show Host
Howard Hughes - Mentioned in historical context of land acquisition
Jan (from Green Things) - Briefly mentioned
Gene Autry - Mentioned in context of early Tucson radio
Governor Ducey - Referenced regarding state tax policy

Political/Business Figures:

Trump - Discussed in context of potential economic policies
DeepSeek - Chinese AI company mentioned by Fishman
NVIDIA - Tech company impacted by AI market developments

Memorable Mentions:

Discussed Tucson's 250th founding anniversary
Highlighted ongoing water crisis in the Colorado River Basin
Explored Proposition 414 (proposed sales tax increase)