The Phoenix City Council voted to cut by half the regressive food tax that was enacted four years ago. The 8-1 vote will bring some relief to the City’s working poor, who were hardest hit by the tax.
Councilman Sal DiCiccio said new tax would become effective January 2014. “Taxpayers will get a long needed sigh of relief,” said DiCiccio. “This is great news for taxpayers and will help restore credibility back to Phoenix. As you know, Mayor Stanton made a promise to repeal the entire tax by April 2013. He presented a budget showing massive cuts to police and fire to justify keeping the tax. After his budget was presented, the Council overrode his direction and demanded a real budget showing no cuts to police, fire or other services. We voted and passed the Council budget today…and that is great news for hardworking taxpayers.”
DiCiccio noted that the City’s Mayor has broken quite a few promises, which DiCiccio says cost the City integrity and credibility. He said that loss was “immeasurable. Promises made should be promises kept, and phony budgets should not be presented to scare the public. The public may not believe you when a real crisis looms. Although I think this tax can be completely removed, tonight was a great win for Phoenix taxpayers. I have fought against this tax since it was imposed on citizens. It is my goal to have Phoenix act more fiscally responsible and not use its citizens as an unlimited piggybank.”