FROM: Rick Grinnell, Smart United Business Strategies
RE: Voting
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Problem: This past June the Tucson City Council passed a budget that basically kicked businesses in their proverbial assets. The council members passed more than $14 million in new taxes, and we did very little to let them know this isn’t the way to dig ourselves out of a bad economy. Hotel bed taxes, utility taxes, water rate increases, bus fare increases and let’s not forget the tanning booths. Of those tax increases, the businesses and those who can least afford them will pay the majority. Our current elected council members don’t understand what we need to be successful as a business community for the betterment of all. They don’t understand economic development, budget cuts, wealth opportunities that can create careers and provide more jobs. They seem to only understand tax increases.
They have gotten away with this because we don’t vote or educate our employees on the issues so they can vote wisely. The environmentalists, neighborhood associations, artists, and even the homeless show up to vote in better numbers than the business community does. As a result the city takes care of those special interests. And we ask why we don’t get any respect.
Solution: We are at major crossroads regarding the future of Tucson. It’s time we change the way we do business in Tucson and vote for business candidates, not those who pay lip service. It is time we vote and have our voices heard. We need to vote for real leadership and accountability from our elected officials.
Evaluate, educate and stand up for the future of business now. Let friends, family and employees know that opportunity doesn’t come from tax increases. When business is successful, the entire community wins. Businesses collect the taxes, pay health insurance benefits, donate to charities and, most importantly, keep people employed so they can have a better life for their families.
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