Tempe Chamber Announces Candidate and Ballot Endorsements

Posted on | October 23, 2012 | No Comments

The Tempe Chamber is pleased to announce its endorsements for the Nov. 6, 2012 elections. After diligent research, fact-finding and candidate interviews, the following endorsements have been made, each which the chamber believes will have the most positive impact on business.

Candidate Endorsements

The Tempe Chamber wants its members to “think business” when they vote and is endorsing:

Vernon Parker in District 9 for the U.S. House of Representatives.

For the Arizona State Legislature, the Chamber recommends:

John McComish, District 18, Senate

Jeff Dial and Bob Robson, District 18, House

Jerry Lewis, District 26, Senate

Andrew Sherwood and Ray Speakman, District 26, House

“These candidates best understand the challenges of our member businesses,” said Mary Ann Miller, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. “We believe they will represent us well as we continue to strengthen the economy.”

Ballot Endorsements

The Tempe Chamber recently announced its positions on the propositions for the upcoming elections.

Here is a synopsis of the ballot items¹ and the reasoning behind the Chamber positions:

Prop 114 – Yes: Prohibits crime victims from being sued for causing injury or death to the perpetrator committing a felony offense. Prevents frivolous lawsuits and reduces costs to businesses.

Prop 116 – Yes: Increases the personal property tax exemption threshold from $68,079 to the average earnings of 50 Arizona workers or approximately $2.4 million. Encourages investment and growth by small businesses.

Prop 117 – No: Limits the annual growth of limited property value to no more than 5% beginning in tax year 2015. Results in greater inequity in property taxes paid by both homeowners and businesses.

Prop 118 – Yes: Sets the State Land Trust Permanent Endowment Fund distribution at 2.5% of the average monthly market values of the fund for the immediately preceding five calendar years, through 2021. Creates consistency in fund distribution for education.

Prop 119 – Yes: Authorizes the exchange of trust land for military installation preservation or managing lands. Helps protect military installations which are large economic drivers for the State.

Prop 121 – No: Eliminates the current partisan primary system in Arizona and establishes an open primary in which the two candidates per open seat receiving the most votes move on to the general election. Disenfranchises third-party candidates and may cause more problems than it hopes to solve.

Prop 204 – No: Creates a permanent one-cent sales tax increase to fund educational programs, public transportation infrastructure projects and human services programs. The tax and funding allocations are preserved in perpetuity. Takes budget control away from the legislature and is an inappropriate way to fund education.

Tempe Union Bond – Yes: Authorizes the sale of $75 million in bonds to address health and safety issues, maintenance and modification and energy conservation measures. Addresses much-needed repairs and upgrades so that maintenance and operations (M&O) funds can remain in the classroom.

Tempe Union M&O Override – Yes: Increases the district budget capacity an additional 5% on top of the current voter-approved 10% override. Directs funding to meet student needs.

Tempe Elementary Capital Override – Yes: Continues previously approved capital override for an additional seven years at an annual amount of $5 million. Funds the technology purchase and replacement needed to teach students in the 21^st century.

City of Tempe Public Safety Bond – Yes: Authorizes $6.4 million to upgrade equipment and enable interoperability. Increases the efficiency of public safety personnel so they can better respond to citizen needs.

City of Tempe Parks Improvements/Community Services Bond – Yes: Authorizes $10.5 million to maintain Town Lake parks and replace the downstream dam. Protects a key component of Tempe’s future economic development and improves local amenities.

City of Tempe Municipal Infrastructure Preservation Bond – Yes: Authorizes $12.9 million to repair and rehab buildings and facilities. Increases efficiencies through timely maintenance and cost-effective upgrades.

The Tempe Chamber works to create a strong local economy and represents more than 74,000 employees in nearly 900 businesses.
¹Proposition synopses provided by Dorn Policy Group.

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