December 29, 2009

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - An Arizona housing group that represents renters says the city's proposed 'landlord tax' is unfair.

Barb Dolan, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Multihousing Association, sees the proposed tax as 'political posturing.'

City Manager Mike Letcher on Monday said raising revenue through this tax would allow the city to keep current police officers and firefighters from being laid off.

"It does not need to be pitted as public safety vs. renters," Dolan said in a press release. She did not propose another way the funds could be raised. 

Tucson faces a $32 million budget shortfall for the current budget. The 2 percent rental tax would generate up to $10 million annually, according to a release sent by the City Manager's office.

The renters tax would end if voters approve a ballot measure specifically funding police and fire service.

Several municipalities in Arizona already have a 2 percent renters tax. Marana, Sahuarita, Sierra Vista and South Tucson included.

Tucson could be the first city in the state to use the renters tax exclusively for funding police and fire, Letcher said.

Some renters feel pressured when the city says the tax is the only way to keep public safety staffing at its current levels.

"I support our police officers and firefighters," said Isabel Pena, a Tucson renter. "I am mad that the City manager would make the Council choose between a new tax on me and other renters and police and fire layoffs. Why are Tucson's renters being singled out to fix the entire budget problem?"