From the desk of Robert Rappaport on Wednesday, June 10th 2009 at 7:48

TUCSON HAS A BUDGET

The proposals have been talked about for quite some time, but the City of Tucson Tuesday gave final approval to a new $1.3 billion spending plan that takes effect July 1st.

In a nutshell, the budget means you will pay more for utilities, garbage pickup and to ride a SunTran bus. The hikes will cost the cash-strapped Tucson Unified School District an extra $655,000 a year, according to TUSD projections (as reported in the Arizona Daily Star).

Also in the plan is a new tax on gym memberships and tanning salons. I'll defer an opinion on the tanning tax, but gyms are supposed to make people healthy. Why does the city want to discourage that? Unhealthy people drain the healthcare system and have other problems, so why hurt people trying to stay healthy. Gym memberships are expensive enough to begin with.

How about a fast-food tax in the city? Admittedly, the lobby against that would be so big that it wouldn't stand a chance, but the city should target unhealthy things if it sees the need to find new "revenue enhancements," as governments now like to call tax hikes.

Now that the city has settled on how much more to extract from its residents, the state is next and that won't be pretty. Hold on to your wallet, it's going to get much lighter come July. That will make your weight load in your vehicle lighter and make your car go faster, so watch your speed, or the photo radar cameras will get you and force you to pay even more.

What do you think about the new city budget? Comment below.

Rebecca @ Jun 10, 2009

Actually, a NATIONAL fast food tax makes more sense. Those revenues could go towards the national free healthcare program. "If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait 'til it's free!" As for the city budget, I'm disappointed about the tax hikes, but feel they are necessary. I agree with Councilman Glassman that this round of tax hikes should have included a sunset clause.

Maggie @ Jun 10, 2009

It already costs so much more to try to lead a healthy lifestyle, i.e. using the doctor of your choice, choosing healthy food in the grocery stores, and healthy menu selections at restaurants. As a personal trainer, I know that one of the most important reasons people begin and maintain a fitness program is not vanity, but for a healthy lifestyle. The long-term effect: reduced medical costs. This seems backwards to me. This is definitely NOT your typical "sin" tax...quite the opposite.

Carol Hahn @ Jun 11, 2009

On Wednesday you reported a story about the Community Foundation--Steve Alley--talking about $422,000 stimulus money (?) for them. Where can I find a complete transcript of that story?

Robert Rappaport @ Jun 12, 2009

Carol...The Community Foundation is GIVING away the money, not taking it. You can see the story on KUAT-TV next Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

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