[Source: Scott Wong, Arizona Republic] — Saying Phoenix is facing an “economic emergency,” Mayor Phil Gordon this week floated the idea of a temporary sales-tax increase to keep already diminished services from being cut further. Phoenix recently raised fees and rates for things such as parking meters and trash pickup. But Gordon’s comments, during a City Council meeting, marked the first mention of a sales-tax hike — or “emergency economic surcharge” — that the council could approve to stave off service cuts.
“It may take that to get us through the economic crisis,” Gordon told fellow council members and staffers. “We have to ask residents: Do they want these draconian cuts? Do they want to be understaffed in fire and police? I, for one, think our residents would want to continue the way of life in this city.” [Note: Read full article at As Phoenix faces “economic emergency,” mayor floats idea of temporary tax hike.]
Downtown Voices Coalition 