Advocating for smart local policy

The Tucson Metro Chamber is leading a diverse group of organizations in opposing Tucson’s Proposition 414, a regressive 10-year half-cent sales tax that places the burden of funding critical city services on the taxpayers.

Our press release on Jan. 7 led the media coverage of Prop 414, and business groups including the Tucson Association of Realtors, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and more have since publicly announced their opposition.

The Chamber has long supported city tax and bond initiatives that targeted funding to public safety, parks, and transportation improvements. Our opposition to Proposition 414 is rooted in its very lack of focus — and its lack of true accountability.

We wholeheartedly agree that our first responders need more funding, that Tucson’s housing crunch is hurting the people who already live here and the city’s economic competitiveness. We fully support efforts to address drug addiction and cycles of poverty that fuel crime and homelessness.

But Proposition 414 is a temporary solution for permanent funding needs. In 10 years, we’ll be right back here again. Instead, we urge the city to fund critical services like police and fire from the general fund at levels comparable to other major cities in Arizona.

Source: Individual city budget summaries for fiscal year 2025

Working families and small businesses are the hardest hit by sales taxes, and the increase from Proposition 414 would be no exception. People who can cross city limits to businesses on the other side of the boundary line in unincorporated Pima County might choose to do so for sales tax that would be 3% less than the city’s.

Indeed, if city voters approve this tax increase, Tucson’s sales tax would be the highest of any major city in the state:

We believe that Tucson — its residents, its first responders, and its many service organizations — deserve better. With residents and small businesses still struggling with inflation, now is not the time for budget shortcuts. We urge city residents to vote NO on Proposition 414.

To learn more about our position, other organizations that oppose Proposition 414, and how to get involved, visit No414.com.

Mail ballots only for the special election!

The city chose to call a special election for Proposition 414. Technically, the Election Day is March 11, but it’s by mail only. Key dates are:

• February 10: Last day to register to vote in Proposition 414 special election.
• February 12: City mails ballots to city residents.
• March 5: Last day to mail your completed ballot back to the city.
• March 11: Select polls will be open for ballot drop-off only.

Register to vote, check your registration, or update your registration if you’ve moved or changed your name at the Pima County Recorder’s website.

Community Corridors Tool and Plan Tucson 

The Tucson Metro Chamber Public Policy Council met in January with city planners and coordinators of both the proposed Community Corridors Tool and Plan Tucson, the city’s required 10-year general plan update.

The Community Corridors Tools is an optional zoning code amendment proposed by the city to incentivize denser development, affordable housing, and multimodal transportation along key Tucson corridors. At a high level, the proposed amendment aligns with the Chamber’s Public Policy Guide on those topics. The Public Policy Council and Chamber staff are evaluating the details to ensure it reduces barriers and creates opportunities for our member businesses.

The city Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Feb. 26, where the community members can comment and the commission will vote to forward the item to the mayor and council for their consideration.

The public comment period for Plan Tucson ended Jan. 31. The Chamber advocated for policies that improve quality of life in Tucson, attract and retain workforce talent, and generally foster economic competitiveness.

Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Next draft in review

Over the past several months, Chamber staff have actively participated in open houses for RTA Next, the plan to renew for another 20 years the half-cent countywide sales tax that supports transportation projects and created the Regional Transportation Authority. We thank all the Chamber members who also attended and completed the RTA Next survey.

The RTA Board will review community feedback over the next several months and determine any changes to the draft plan. A final plan must be presented to the Pima County Board of Supervisors by early summer for their consideration and approval to make it on the November 4, 2025, general election ballot.

As such, Chamber staff will be advocating actively with the RTA Board to ensure that our members’ priorities and desires are maintained and implemented.

2025 Public Policy Guide is here!

Our updated Public Policy Guide is ready for 2025! Created by our Public Policy Council, with input from members and business leaders across a variety of industries and endorsed by the Chamber Board of Directors, the guide is a roadmap for the Chamber’s advocacy priorities and goals.

We focus our local agenda on seven major areas:

• Economic Competitiveness & Innovation
• Land Use, Transportation, & Infrastructure
• Energy, Environment, & Water
• Crime & Public Safety
• Regulatory Policy & Taxation
• Homelessness
• Workforce & Education

Please check it out and let us know what you think. 2025 is already off to a roaring start!

Get involved in local advocacy

You can help us advocate for a better Tucson by donating to our political action committee, the Tucson Metro Chamber PAC. Every donation advances our mission: Championing an environment where your business thrives and our community prospers.

If your business is a Chamber member, you can join the ranks of our Chamber Advocates, who get sweet perks and help us get the word out about our issues.

Questions? Contact Magen Howard or Zach Yentzer.

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