Tucson City Manager says they are moving to “Plan B” after voters reject Prop 414 | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – For those that supported Tucson’s Proposition 414 it was a disappointing night Tuesday as it became clear the voters rejected the proposal.

During a watch party for supporters, Mayor Regina Romero expressed her disappointment in the results but encouraged the team of supporters and vowed to get to work to find a solution voters would support.

She also blamed the current state of affairs within the federal government under President Donald Trump for the outcome.

“The uncertainty of what’s happening in our economy, the mass firings from the federal government, what’s happening in our state, I believe did affect how voters reacted,” she said.

City Manager Tim Thomure has vocally supported the proposition as a means to better support first responders. After the outcome, he said the City is ready to move to “Plan B.”

Thomure didn’t specify exactly what Plan B is yet but said during the upcoming budget discussions they will have to look at ways to balance the roughly $13 million deficit.

Thomure considered the deficit manageable and something they could work with.

News 4 Tucson’s Chief Investigative Reporter Chorus Nylander questioned Thomure about ways the City could better manage the funds it has to work with.

Thomure said Mayor and Council will need to have a serious discussion during upcoming budget discussions and that it may result in “them pulling back on some things.”

When asked about potential reduction in staff he responded, “at this moment I don’t have any plans on staffing cuts.”

He said Tucson will survive without Prop 414 and that first responders will still provide “exceptional service.”

Prop 414 was vowing to make a “safe and vibrant” city by imposing a half-cent sales tax increase over 10 years to support first responders.

It received a lot of push back and an oppositional campaign. Many people that opposed the measure said it had to do with mistrust in where the money would actually go and the true impact it would have.

In her closing speech to supporters, Mayor Romero urged those that voted against Prop 414 to show up with solutions to address the funding issues facing first responders.  

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