Mayor Stanton Betrays Police/Fire/Public...Votes to Rig BallotPosted: 2014-10-26 Sal DiCiccio 9-23-14
“'I’ve been around politics a long time and don't expect politicians not to engage in politics. Yet there are times when even the crassest politicians are expected to act dispassionately and honorably. Crafting ballot language is one of those occasions. The voters are entitled to a neutral description of what they are being asked to decide, not language declaring as uncontested fact something very much subject to disputation.” Bob Robb, Arizona Republic July 7, 2014
In a stunning move to help the national government unions, Mayor Stanton and some on the Council voted to alter the ballot description for the Phoenix Pension Reform initiative. He inserted the words “police officers” and “fire fighters” even though a neutral third party did not include them in the summary language of Prop 487. This is the first time in city history politicians altered neutral ballot language, and in doing so, they have betrayed a bond with the public. Read the actual transcript for yourself: https://www.phoenix.gov/district6site/PublishingImages/district6/news-editorials/Ballot Description Debate.pdf
The Pension Reform initiative, Prop 487 is clearly written and will save Phoenix over $500 million.
In order to score points with the national government unions, the Mayor and his allies inserted biased and erroneous language onto the ballot to defeat pension reform by using the public safety workers, who will not be affected, as the face of their campaign. The unions are clearly scared you will vote to support Prop 487 and will do and say anything to stop you. Using our police officers/fire fighters and their families for political advantage is unconscionable. These are the tactics you find in third world countries, not in our country where people gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our ballot rights. This is the second time this year our police have been used by these politicians for political gain.
The biased language Mayor Stanton inserted will NOT impact the comprehensive pension reforms of Prop 487 that will save the City and taxpayers like you hundreds of millions of dollars. The Mayor did this as a distraction to scare you. Here is the actual ballot language: http://phoenixpensionreformact.com/uploads/sites/98/I-3-13_-_Phoenix_Pension_Reform_Act_of_2014_Title_and_Text.pdf .
Luckily, the ballot language is the only thing that matters - not the description drafted by the Mayor. Section 1 part 9 clearly excludes Police and Fire, and moreover, state law does not allow Phoenix to exist the Public Safety Retirement System. The initiative ONLY affects civilian workers and not public safety officers.
My best to you and your family,
Sal DiCiccio
Phoenix City Council; District 6
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