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Local organizations oppose Prop 101- Tucson's half-cent sales tax increase

Posted at 8:47 PM, May 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-09 01:08:41-04

Prop 101, the city's proposed half-cent sales tax increase is receiving backlash from local organizations. 

Within the last week, the Pima County Republican Party's organization put up 250 "Vote No" signs across the city. 

Prop 101 will reportedly generate $250 million to repair city roads and help the local police and fire department, if passed. 

"It's not the right thing to do for the working person," said David Eppihimer, the Pima County Republican Party's chairman, who believes this prop is unnecessary. 

"We absolutely support the police and fire and the construction and repair of new roads, but we firmly believe the budget the city's income of 1.3 billion dollars is sufficient to keep all of that in good shape," he said. 

Rather than passing the prop, Eppihimer says the city needs to prioritize spending better. 

"They would rather fund social programs and special interests and instead of providing an adequate support level for the police and fire and adequate support for our road system," he said. 

He says his organization is not alone, Tucson Bus Riders Union is against the prop as well. 

Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, who's for Prop 101, says the city needs the money to make more improvements. 

"Tucsonans have seen the improvement in our streets since we passed the 2012 street bonds. That funding expires next year. If Prop. 101 passes, we'll be able to continue the progress we've made so far. In the past, the state provided cities and towns with HURF funds to do road repair, but, since 2001, the state has taken nearly $347 million of HURF funding away from cities and towns and spent it on state programs," said Mayor Rothschild.

Mayor Rothschild says the vast majority of the city's budget is spent on providing core services like parks and public safety.

To check out the city's budget, click here.

To check out how the money will be divided for Prop 101, clickhere.