FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

The Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors has voted to oppose Proposition 414 

January 7, 2024 [Tucson, AZ]- The Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors has voted to oppose 

Proposition 414, the city of Tucson’s “Safe and Vibrant City” half-cent sales tax ballot referendum 

slated for a special election on March 11. 

“Tucson absolutely needs to address public safety, homelessness, housing affordability, and other 

critical community investments. However, we believe there is a more effective way to do so—one that 

does not increase everyday costs for families and businesses or weaken our region’s economic 

competitiveness,” said Tucson Metro Chamber president and CEO Michael Guymon. 

Prop 414 would raise the city’s sales tax rate from 8.7% to 9.2% for 10 years, one of the highest tax 

rates of any major Arizona city or town, higher than the state average of 8.12%, and higher than the 

immediate surrounding unincorporated Pima County, currently at 6.1%. Prop 414 would seek to raise 

funding for varied priorities including public safety, workforce development, housing, neighborhood 

investment, urban forestry, arts, culture investments, and more. 

“The Chamber has been, and will continue to be, a ready partner for the city in working on big issues, 

especially those that increase funding for public safety,” Guymon said. “Since 2017, we and our 

members have advocated for, funded, and supported numerous city initiatives, such as Prop 101 to 

fund police, fire, and roads; Prop 407 to fund parks and connections; and Prop 413 to increase the 

long-outdated salary for the mayor and councilmembers. But Prop 414 lacks that focused approach, 

and we question its proposed impact on city services as well as the impact of higher taxes on residents 

and businesses.” 

Tucson Metro Chamber’s staff, Public Policy Council, and Board expressed these additional concerns 

after meeting with city council members and staff: 

• Businesses operating in the City of Tucson will be at a competitive disadvantage against their 

other counterparts in unincorporated Pima County and the other jurisdictions that have a lower 

sales tax rate. 

• Similar communities facing declines in state-shared revenues are seeking means other than 

initiating a new sales tax, such as auditing their budgets and departments for inefficiencies and 

delaying nonessential projects for a later year, all without decreasing service levels. 

• The city created programs with one-time allocations from the American Rescue Plan Act of 

2021 and the city’s general fund over the past four years, and it may not be responsible to ask 

taxpayers to continue funding them through Prop 414. 

• Unlike prior packages, Prop 414 was largely developed internally, between city council and 

staff, and not collaboratively with a diverse group of community stakeholders prior to 

placement on the ballot. 

• Unlike past propositions that focused on one or two key issues, Prop 414 is a scatter-shot 

approach, with varying amounts of investment scattered across a variety of priorities. An 

unfocused approach is less likely to put the right amount of funding in the right places to deliver 

the desired result. 

“One thing is certain for us – we continue to be a staunch supporter of our public safety professionals,” 

Guymon said. “We know more resources are needed to tackle the big challenges our city faces, like 

public safety and housing affordability, but without the willingness to uncover cuts or other revenue 

streams, we cannot support this proposition in its current form.” 

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About the Tucson Metro Chamber 

The Tucson Metro Chamber is the leading voice for business in Southern Arizona. The Chamber serves 

over 1,400 member businesses and organizations, representing all industries and sectors. The 

Chamber's mission is to champion the economic prosperity of the Tucson metro region by advocating 

for a pro-business environment, connecting businesses, and fostering a vibrant community. 

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