The Scottsdale City Council revised the description of Proposition 490 after a court ruled the original wording was misleading, but the Goldwater Institute is concerned that the last-minute change may limit public review and understanding before the November ballot.
Scottsdale City Council Updates Proposition 490 Tax Measure Description Following Court Ruling
According to Axios, the Scottsdale City Council has changed the description of Proposition 490, a tax measure for the November ballot, after a court said the original wording was misleading. This change happened after the Goldwater Institute filed a lawsuit, saying the original language wrongly suggested a reduction in the current sales tax. The court agreed, pointing out that the expiring 0.2% tax would be replaced by a new 0.15% tax, which is a new tax, not a reduction.
If voters approve Proposition 490, it will create a 0.15% sales tax for the next 30 years. This tax would help pay for city parks, recreation facilities, and the upkeep of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Over 30 years, the tax is expected to bring in about $1.15 billion. The new ballot description now clearly states that the new tax will start after the current tax ends.
READ ALSO: 31% of Student Loan Borrowers Delay Payments, 23% Stop Payments Altogether Amid Federal Debt Forgiveness Uncertainty
New Tax Measure on Scottsdale Ballot: $1.15 Billion in 30 Years for Parks and Preservation – Controversy Over Last-Minute Revision to Proposition 490 (PHOTO: The Center Square)
Goldwater Institute Raises Concerns Over Last-Minute Changes to Scottsdale Tax Measure Description
Even with the change, the Goldwater Institute is worried about the timing. The new wording was added just 24 hours before the county’s ballot printing deadline. They believe this last-minute change makes it hard for the public to review or challenge the new language, which could affect how voters understand the measure.
READ ALSO: $10,000 Limit: How Kamala Harris’s Economic Plans Could Impact Your Finances and Long-Term Savings
