TAX NEWS - 2010

Tucson City Council votes to put core service tax on November ballot

TUCSON - The Tucson City Council voted Wednesday night, 5 to 2, to put the half-cent sales tax hike on a November ballot.

City budgeters say the "Core Service tax" is dedicated to saving cuts from police, fire, transportation, roads, and parks.

Residents Wednesday night packed the house, but not a single speaker came forward in favor of the increase.

They say they want the city to find more to cut before taxing the citizens. But the council says there will be more cuts, and they want the voters to decide on the increase.

"Please join us in cutting more, and taxing less," said one resident.

"Do you want the Tucson we have now or the Tucson cannibalized?" asked Council member Regina Romero.

The vote is slated for a special election on November 2nd of this year.