Why I am supporting Prop 13By Deborah Bonito
February 27, 2020
Anchorage, Alaska has been my home town since my Army family moved here when I was 12 years old. I’ve always been proud to call this amazing place my home. In Anchorage, we grow our businesses, our families, and our community together. That’s why I want to tell you about an opportunity we have to make Anchorage an even better place to live, and to invest a little right now in something that will have returns year after year. I know from my many years as a retail business owner and operator that a smart investment today can make a big difference in the future. Problems caused by extended homelessness and untreated addiction are plaguing our city. We know what the solutions are, we just need a dedicated revenue stream to invest in change. The Anchorage Assembly voted recently 9-2 in support of putting Proposition 13 on our spring Municipal ballot—a 5% tax on the purchase of alcoholic beverages. I support Prop 13, but I know that some well-heeled folks in the liquor industry will be funding a campaign against it. Here are the facts about what Anchorage voters will see on the vote-by-mail ballot this spring:
By law, when you vote on the ballot proposition it dedicates the funds directly to these services. Prop 13 keeps politicians accountable and prevents the funds from being used any other way without voter approval. It also requires that revenues be used only in addition to existing funding levels for the dedicated services—so they aren’t lost in the budget of general government. The ballot language requires annual reporting on how revenues are spent so voters know how their tax dollars are being used. The Assembly listened to voters and made this measure different from the one that lost narrowly in 2019--adding more accountability and transparency measures, and simplifying the tax in response to what they heard from residents. The supporters of Prop 13 need your help. Without your financial support they will not be able to get their message out to voters. Without the necessary level of financial support, the voters will be unaware of the positive impacts the tax will have to make our community a safer place. You can help by going online and donating directly to the campaign. For more information or to support this effort visit www.ABetterAnchorage.com. Yes for a Safe, Healthy Anchorage can accept contributions from individuals, organizations, corporations and from those based in Alaska and the Lower 48. There is no donor contribution limit. It is critical in the next two weeks that they raise a significant amount toward this goal. Sincerely, Deborah Bonito
About: This communication was paid for by Northern Compass Group, LLC
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Received February 26, 2020 - Published February 27, 2020 Related Viewpoint:
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