FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Tonight the Phoenix City Council failed to repeal the food tax. Wes Gullett has released the following statement in response:
“Phoenix taxpayers who are struggling in this economy continue to pay the price for taxpayer giveaways to the unions and a lack of leadership at City Hall. Once elected, I will be the fifth vote to repeal the food tax, and I’ve put forward a detailed plan to pay for it without impacting vital city services.”
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When Mayor Gordon was talking about possibly “having to” impose a food tax, he asked for suggestions regarding how to meet the budget shortfall without imposing such a tax. I reviewed the entire city budget and found that if the city divested itself of or privatized only half of it’s golf courses, that would get the job done. Golf courses are not a “vital service”. Why did I focus on golf courses?
Of all the amenities offered by the City of Phoenix, golf courses have the highest per use cost. Their per use cost is about five times the per use cost for public libraries. I don’t care for golf but a lot of people do. However, in addition to public golf courses there are plenty of private ones. Furthermore, I don’t see it as a good deal to impose a food tax on everyone just to keep open golf courses used by only one segment of the population.
So, Mr. Gullett, please don’t make it seem like some great feat to figure out how repeal the food tax without impacting vital city services. I’ve already figured it out for you. If you get elected, just do it!
“Unions…lack of leadership”. Shame on you, Wesley. Wesley, you have NO idea what you are talking about nor what you ‘might’ be getting yourself into. It’s because of politicians like you, Unions are needed. But you continue with the lies and mislead my fellow citizens of Phoenix who may not know any better. Don’t drink the kool-aid Phoenix!