FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato

Wes Gullett will challenge the status quo; Stanton will be controlled by unions

PHOENIX – Escalating public pension costs, no police chief, taxes on the food we buy.

Phoenix needs new leadership, and today’s morning newspaper is just another reminder of why we need a Mayor who will take on the public employee unions and challenge the status quo.

It’s the labor unions who are stalling progress at City Hall. And with their organizations pouring thousands of dollars into electing Greg Stanton, only Wes Gullett has the ability to stand up for Phoenix taxpayers and reform city government.

“We need to take action. We need a sense of urgency,” Gullett said.

Food tax continues to hurt families

Last night, the City Council rejected a move to repeal the food tax. As Mayor, Wes Gullett will provide the critical fifth vote to repeal this tax. Greg Stanton is stalling action and finding excuses to keep the tax, even as Mayor Phil Gordon – a Stanton-backer – admitted “I don’t deny that there’s money that can be found in our budget.” Just more evidence of Stanton’s misaligned priorities.

“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,” Gullett said. “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.”

Cost of pension soaring 

Today’s Republic reports that for the second straight year in a row, Phoenix residents will pay more than $100 million to maintain the city’s ailing pension system. Costs will rise $3.6 million next fiscal year, bringing the cost to $110 million.

Only Wes Gullett has put forward a comprehensive plan to take-on the public employee unions and reform this system for the long-term, transitioning city employees to a 401K. His plan was cited in endorsements from both the Arizona Republic and the Ahwatukee Foothills News.

Greg Stanton has failed to put forward a plan that deals with the fundamental problems with our pension system, preferring to kick the can down the road.

“Gullett recognized from the beginning the need to reform the city’s unsustainable pension system, something Stanton was slow to accept. While Stanton takes a cautious, go-slow approach, Gullett presses for making the transition to a 401(k)-style plan,” the Republic wrote. “His leadership is more likely to bring the changes necessary to give employees a good retirement plan without overburdening taxpayers.”

Phoenix still doesn’t have a police chief 

The former police chief of Phoenix resigned months ago, yet the search for a replacement has barely begun. Phoenix has had an “acting police chief” since early March. Gullett called for a national search to begin at that time. While Stanton won’t commit on this issue, he has outlined more than 40 ways to grow government on his own Web site.

“The most sacred responsibility of government is public safety,” Gullett said. “If we do not feel safe in our homes, our places of work, schools and public venues we cannot succeed as a city in the long-term.”

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