Tempe 1st

10/19/2026

Things that go together...for manufactured gaiety and "me".
To be clear: This is a trust me vote...The ballot language itself says...Could be used...here it is: 3. What will the funds be used for?
If approved by voters, the proposed tax revenue could be used to support City services and programs in public safety, transportation, and early childhood care and preschool education.
Say again:" Could be used" ... trust you say?

10/18/2026

Protect Tempe families from unfair taxes.
Friends,
We’re in the midst of the election, and voters across the city are headed to the polls to make their voices heard about this election and stand up to an unfair tax increase.
You may have seen this news release announcing the publication of the 2026/2027 Tempe Community Health and Human Services Annual Impact Report. Accomplishments in human services are commendable, but this release raises a serious concern. It begins with a photo of four presumably Pre-K age kids in a classroom setting. State law prohibits the use of city resources to influence the outcome of elections, which begs the question if the City Attorney was asked if Tempe's sending out literature clearly promoting one of the three subjects of the tax measure less than three weeks from election day is a violation.
Unfortunately, there's good reason to believe it was a conscious effort. Shortly after the November 2024 elections, City Manager Rosa Inchausti sent an internal message to all employees praising their efforts to get the bonds passed (no mention of the work of the independent yes on the bonds committee, who was supposed to do the actual advocacy to avoid violating state law). There was no apparent self awareness that city employees are prohibited from using city resources to influence any elections, as she wrote, "our proactive approach to informing our residents, whether it was through messaging from our Communication and Marketing Office, or through in person meetings and phone calls, all worked together to achieve this positive result."
So, instead of staying within the bounds of ARS 9-500.14, which only allows city spending on informational pamphlets about bond elections, and then only with factual information presented in a neutral manner, Tempe led with a photo of young children in a classroom, a blatant example of an emotional appeal marketing strategy.
If you're curious why did Tempe did no outreach before calling the election, and has had multiple in person and virtual meetings, videos, web pages, and other communications like this, Ms. Inchausti in her 2024 victory lap revealed the City playbook. The City won't play by the rules; their stated strategy is to use City messaging and marketing to achieve their desired result, which is about as opposite of neutrally presented information as possible. Don't let them play fast and loose with the law. Vote no on Prop 424.
Follow the Money
As we fight against this regressive tax measure, we’re seeing tens of thousands of dollars flow into this race. Take a look at where 99% of the funding for the opposition comes from. See for yourself.
Help Us Fight Back
We are Tempe taxpayers, neighbors, and community members standing up against the wealthy opposition, who has already drowned the interests of residents out with tens of thousands of dollars. Request a yard sign. Spread the word. Help us raise the resources necessary to win in November
This is David vs. Goliath. We are David. With your help, we'll win.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/noon424

10/18/2026

Jana Granillo is a long time Tempe resident and neighborhood chair.
Gives a good overview of 2024 Tempe bonds and County proposals.
The clear comparison…how Prop 424 falls short.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JUjr2BsPurw

10/17/2026

Is the narrative collapsing?

By Madeline Bates
Mail
Just three weeks out from election day, Tempe residents will decide to approve of a 0.05% sales tax increase in non-grocery goods. But some Tempe business owners are conflicted about the ballot measure as a tax increase could push their business off of Mill Avenue.

Cassidy Lujan, owner of The Plant Mill in downtown Tempe, is a Scottsdale resident and has considered moving the business to Old Town Scottsdale for cheaper rent and higher foot traffic.

“It sort of feels like giving the people a little bit of what they need but I think a lot of people in Tempe are tired of giving more money to public service and then not having a better understanding of how that money’s actually used,” Lujan said.

Other businesses have considered a move as well to downtown areas that have free and subsidized parking, less nightlife activity and other benefits for small business owners.

Kira Gullion, owner of the Lizard Head Trading Co. next door to The Plant Mill, has similar concerns. She says she’s considering moving the business to Mesa to help curb rising costs.

“I’ve already considered moving and this would give me another reason to do so,” Gullion said.

In a debate on the issue with state Sen. Mitzi Epstein, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and president of the Tempe Forward PAC Tom Duensing, the three disagreed on how it would impact consumers.

Duensing claims that a household income of $93,000 would only spend $13 a year toward the tax. He also claimed that the tax was not “regressive” since it impacted everyone who bought goods in Tempe.

Epstein pushed back.

“It’s this moment in America when we need to say no, gosh darn it. I am not going to vote for even one more unfair regressive sales tax,” Epstein said.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tempe’s median household income is around $78,000, and more than 15% of residents live at or below the poverty line.

But supporters argue that the benefits could help those in need.

Part of the sales tax would fund TempePRE, the city’s subsidized preschool program that is currently only eligible to Tempe residents who qualify by income. Should the proposition pass, the service could become available to Tempe business owners and people who work in Tempe regardless of residence.

Lujan and Gullion are not Tempe residents but could qualify under these proposed changes.

Lujan said that as the proposition is written to include transportation, preschool and public safety, it creates a distraction for voters who may oppose one item but support another.

“Asking for more money with a discrepancy about how funds are used feels icky,” she said.

Ballots have been sent to voters on the early voting list and polling places across the Valley are open for voters. Voters are encouraged to mail their ballots no later than Oct. 27 and all in-person voters must be in line to vote by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Should the tax pass it would go into effect beginning in 2027.

https://www.yourvalley.net/tempe-independent/stories/some-mill-avenue-business-owners-oppose-tempe-sales-tax,729384?fbclid=IwY2xjawU_4PpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR67-Kg6x8RoAZiUw52eeGLJYQKTwCVj0R5GvsSSD7lvLvQAXMca_hmcSgaeTw_aem_aVnzzsEKlbWfMXctLSMJnQ

Just three weeks out from election day, Tempe residents will decide to approve of a 0.05% sales tax increase in non-grocery goods. But some Tempe business owners are conflicted about the ballot …

10/16/2026

More reasons to Vote NO

Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show inflation continuing to rise inexorably, led by the surge in energy prices, which increased by 5.2% in September and climbed by 20.4% over the year. At the pump, gas prices spiked by 9.1% last month and are up by 34% for the year. The wages of Americans are barely keeping up with inflation, with both prices and average hourly pay having risen by about 5.4 percent since January 2025.

10/16/2026

Mitzi Epstein, State Senator..South Tempe.
Urges Voters to: Vote NO on Prop 424.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f6AN3Z7ntfs

10/15/2026

Vote NO on Prop 424
Why Tempe Citizens Should Vote NO on Proposition 424
City Hall and the YES Campaign want us to believe another sales tax increase is reasonable. But they have yet to answer the most basic questions about accountability, spending, and the burden on taxpayers.

But first…you may have received the latest fear-based mailer. Proposing without the sales tax…emergency service response times will go up.

As you may remember: When Tempe residents passed the three bond measures on November 5, 2024, Corey Woods warned that “response times will go up if the bonds are not passed.” The bonds passed. So what has that investment delivered? Perhaps we have to question the sales pitch.

Is it reasonable to impose a permanent tax with no sunset clause? Where is the incentive for City Hall to control spending if this new revenue stream never ends? What are they refusing to see? Or choosing to ignore?

The economy faces significant headwinds. Those least able to absorb another tax increase will suffer the most: residents with limited incomes, people living on fixed incomes, and families facing cuts in federal assistance. This regressive tax will take a greater share of income from those who can least afford it.

Yet, City Hall wants taxpayers to hand over more money without first demonstrating that it can manage existing revenues responsibly.

Where is our money going now? Where is the accountability?
Consider the two million for a Mill Avenue sign, the thousands spent renovating the third floor of City Hall, and substantial pay increases for upper management immediately following the state’s reduction of the residential rental tax.

Then there are travel expenses. The City Manager alone reportedly incurred, year to date, $6,849 in travel and high end lodging. That figure excludes her staff and City Council members. How much did taxpayers spend in total? And what measurable public benefit did these trips deliver?

The need for accountability is especially urgent in the Tempe Police Department. A 24-year-old ASU honor student was punched in the face multiple times by a Tempe police officer and then prosecuted. How does that happen? Who is accountable?

Taxpayers should also be asking why multiple officers are suing their own department for millions of dollars. What do these lawsuits reveal about department management, workplace conditions, and oversight?

Before City Hall demands more money, it must demonstrate that it can be trusted with the money it already collects.

We need transparency, independent scrutiny of spending priorities, and meaningful accountability—not another permanent revenue stream with inadequate public oversight.

The message to City Hall should be unmistakable:
No more blank checks. No more business as usual. Vote NO on Proposition 424.
For more information: http://noon424.com/

10/14/2026

Lauren Kuby

This post is uncomfortable to write, but I feel compelled to speak out, because I believe ballot decisions matter to Tempe residents and deserve an honest accounting.
Recently, Tempe’s mayor posted a video emphasizing the importance of protecting and expanding Tempe PRE. I agree wholeheartedly. We created this anti-poverty program in 2017, spearheaded by Councilmember David Shapira, and it has been deeply disappointing to watch it be cut back over the years. I had hoped to see a renewed commitment to the program, not simply hear its value affirmed.
That is why the record deserves a closer look. (Go to link or see image, below).
At the end of each year, Councilmembers are given an imaginary $100 to allocate among the city’s priorities, helping identify where they believe resources and attention should be directed. In December 2025, the Mayor and a majority of Council allocated zero dollars to Tempe PRE in this exercise.
I find that difficult to reconcile with the public messaging we are hearing now.
The same concern applies to the claims being made about Prop 424. In the December 2025 priority rankings, satisfaction with Tempe’s transit system ranked 22nd. It received that ranking because one councilmember assigned it some weight; the other six Councilmembers assigned it zero.
Fire services ranked 20th, again receiving weight from just one Councilmember.
Meanwhile, public safety-related priorities feature prominently near the top of the rankings derived from the annual priority exercise. Four of the top six priorities fall within that grouping if ending homelessness is included—a particularly troubling inclusion given the city’s approach to homelessness in recent years, which has too often treated it primarily as a policing issue.
I recognize that an annual priority exercise is only one snapshot of Council’s thinking. It does not, by itself, tell the whole story of a budget or establish anyone’s motives. But it is a meaningful record, and I believe residents deserve to see it alongside the claims being made today.
The disconnect troubles me. The Yes campaign is warning residents about the dangers of failing to pass Prop 424, with transit and early childhood education among the concerns raised in the campaign's messaging. Yet, less than a year ago, the Council’s own priority allocations told a different story.
I feel no pleasure in pointing this out. I'd much rather celebrate a consistent commitment to reducing poverty, supporting families, maintaining our transit system, and protecting essential services. These are important issues, and they deserve more than campaign-season assurances.

https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/111060/639161647872170000?fbclid=IwY2xjawU83NZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMU5aUmpjN3YxWnVwbUptamJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEejC_CDodZKtP7E8LRf6ck4OwYijLbBqF21fw_gRe3-CiUT6G8H4pUO0jDu6Q_aem_Td3h5GpFVoyxWvyobCOAnw

10/13/2026

OPINION
Tempe must vote no on 424, resident says

Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2026 12:34 pm
By Ron Tapscott | Tempe
OPINION — Any reasonable person supports children, public transportation and public safety.

Supporting these goals does not mean giving City Hall a blank check. When government asks citizens to tax themselves — especially a regressive tax that places a greater burden on lower-income residents — we have a responsibility to ask hard questions.

Is City Hall fiscally responsible? Is the money needed? What guarantees do citizens have that it will be used as promised? Those questions have not been adequately answered.

Tempe Proposition 424 was rushed forward with very little citizen input and presented through an undemocratic structure. Citizens deserve the right to vote on each of these three proposals separately. Why did City Hall choose to bundle them?

There is also a history of questionable spending. Consider the $2 million Mill Avenue sign and the extravagant expenditures for the third floor of City Hall. These raise legitimate questions about the city's spending priorities.

There are serious questions about how the city is managed. Why are so many Tempe police officers suing their own department for millions of dollars?

Where is the supervision of officers on Mill Avenue? Why is a young Arizona State University student being charged after she was knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched in the face by a full-grown man — an armed officer?

Where is the accounting of all the tax money previously raised through bonds and general taxation? Where is that money going?

Most importantly, what legal guarantee do citizens have that Prop. 424 money will be spent as promised? There is no such guarantee in the proposal.

When Phoenix passed a similar tax increase, it specified in legal language that the money could only be used for the purposes promised to voters.

Tempe citizens deserve the same protection.

Vote no on Prop. 424.

https://www.yourvalley

10/13/2026

Judy Tapscott. Retired from City of Tempe after a 20 year career. A former neighborhood chair in South Tempe and long time community activist.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X-KRoNl3fxU