Chambers forum hears arguments on top propositions
A local ballot initiative forum highlighted key issues voters will see on their upcoming ballot.
The forum, hosted by the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, was held Thursday morning at Rio Salado College in Tempe. Advocacy experts shared their opinions on the state propositions facing voters on Nov. 3.
The EVCCA consists of chambers from across the East Valley — Apache Junction, Carefree, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale and Tempe. Each member city was represented at the forum.
Advocacy experts spoke about initiatives on the upcoming ballot, focusing on ones that impact local business owners and the local economy, particularly propositions 141 and 320.
Proposition 141
Proposition 141 would prohibit the local and state government from implementing taxes based on the number of miles a person travels in their car, often referred to as “VMT” taxes.
Aimee Yentes, vice president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and former Gilbert Town Council member, spoke in favor of the proposition. Yentes emphasized the economic benefits of the initiative.
Yentes also voiced concerns about GPS tracking technology that some states use for their VMT taxing.
She described it as, “vulnerable to invasive tracking and surveillance.”
Chris Bridges, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona, spoke against this proposition. He argued Arizonans should “keep their options open,” and consider a myriad of options to pay for road upkeep.
“What this proposition would do is take that off of the table and not even give us an option in the future,” Bridges said.
Residents who attended the event had mixed feelings about this proposition.
Business executive Kevin De Rosa from Gilbert said both sides made good points and expressed the importance of finding a middle ground.
“Somehow we've got to pay for improvements, pay for roads, pay for the upkeep, and I'm just not sure how to find the balance,” De Rosa said.
Proposition 320
Proposition 320 would require school districts with more than 7,500 students to spend at least 60% of their funds on direct instructional expenses. This proposition would also apply to schools in counties with more than 500,000 residents.
If passed, school districts in Maricopa county, the most populous county in Arizona, would be required to fulfill this requirement or potentially face reduced funding.
Matt Beienburg, director of education policy at the Goldwater Institute, argued in favor of this proposition.
Beienburg said allocating funding in this way would provide extra money per student for direct educational benefits, citing reports by the Arizona Auditor General.
Beienburg also discussed, “anecdotes of school districts misusing funding,” such as directing funds into new facilities or staff trips.
Jimmy Arwood, the director of governmental relations for the Arizona School Boards Association, argued against the proposition.
Arwood said the definition of direct instructional expenses is too broad and doesn’t include important services such as heating and cooling costs, technology and transportation. He emphasized the importance of funding these services as well as direct educational ones.
“They don't deserve having other resources cut that they need,” Arwood said.
Down the ballot
Arizona state Rep. Janeen Connolly, D-Tempe, also attended the event and emphasized the importance of voters tuning in to local elections.
“It’s important to vote all the way down the ballot,” Connolly said.
She emphasized the importance of local voters understanding their full ballots and having their voices heard.
Eric Pettitt, a Gilbert resident and owner of Pettitt Wealth in Mesa, also expressed the necessity of voter turnout.
“The taxpayer, the individual in every city needs to show up and have their voice heard,” Pettitt said. “If you don't do, it's done unto you.”
Voters will have the ability to decide on these initiatives and more on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Sophia Keeling is a student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
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