Guests - JL Wittenbraker, Dave Smith
Tucson at a Crossroads: A Week Before Critical City Council Elections
The future of Tucson hangs in the balance with just one week remaining before the city council elections. For residents concerned about rising crime rates, homelessness, and deteriorating infrastructure, this election represents a crucial opportunity to reshape local governance.
Budget Cuts to Public Safety Amid Rising Crime
Despite doubling their budget to $2.4 billion, the City of Tucson still faces a $37 million deficit. Their proposed solution? Cut $14 million from public safety—including emergency services, courts, fire, and police departments.
"If you live in the city of Tucson and you think that you've got enough police presence, you think there's enough people protecting you right now, then don't change anything," says J.L. Wittenbraker, candidate for Ward 3. "But if you understand, like most of us, that crime is on the rise, our police department cannot afford to lose $14 million."
The situation has become increasingly dire, with innocent, taxpaying Tucsonans falling victim to what Wittenbraker describes as "this overtaking of homeless fentanyl-using mentally ill people." She emphasizes that low-income housing alone is not the solution to this complex problem.
Voter Participation Crisis
Perhaps most concerning is the historically low voter turnout in Tucson's municipal elections. Typically, only 24% of eligible voters participate, meaning that 76% of residents are effectively allowing a "very radicalized small demographic" to make decisions for the entire city.
"This is a civic obligation," Wittenbraker urges. "Look at what's happening to Tucson. We're losing our city."
Proposition 417: The Controversial 10-Year Plan
Beyond the city council race, Proposition 417—the Tucson general plan—deserves critical examination. Wittenbraker strongly opposes this measure, characterizing it as a plan founded on "a climate emergency and DEI philosophy."
"It is funding road construction, but that is given priority to bike lanes over vehicular traffic," she explains. "Our hardworking families need to be able to get in their car and get across town to report to their job. And it'd be really nice if it took less than an hour."
The proposition also embraces the concept of "15-minute cities," a reference to Tucson's past when it took just 15 minutes to get anywhere in the city. Today, according to Wittenbraker, the same trips often take over an hour "because of road diets, because of fortified bike lanes."
She clarifies: "No one is arguing against bike lanes, but we don't need them on every street. It's not safe. It creates complacency. We need them in designated areas only."
A Vision of Accountability
If elected to the city council, Wittenbraker promises to bring accountability to local government. "I will not sit on the dais and go along to get along. I will fight for our constituents. I will fight for adequate public safety funding."
She pledges to work for Tucson, not special interest groups, and to help resolve the city's $37 million deficit without cutting essential services. "I will fight for Tucson," she affirms. "I will fight for our water. I will fight for our air. I will fight for our roads. I will fight for housing."
Ballot Deadline Reminder
For those who haven't yet mailed their ballots, time is running short. The last day to mail ballots is Tuesday, October 28th. All ballots must be postmarked by this date to be counted in this pivotal election.
A Conversation with Dave—National Politics and Local Impact
The discussion extends to national politics with guest Dave Smith, who shares perspectives on the challenges facing conservatives in today's political climate.
"Hysteria has actually become a tool of the left," Smith observes. "The problem for us as Republicans and as conservatives is we like to say, 'Well, I don't know' or 'I don't think that's right' or 'I don't agree with you.' And our calm demeanor actually works against us, against the hysterical crowd."
Both agree that the theatrical nature of modern politics has undermined substantive dialogue. "Emotion and hysteria has its place," Smith notes, "but if you're upset all the time, if you're dramatic all the time, if you're screaming all the time, it gets commonplace."
The conversation turns to concerns about lawlessness and the role of the courts in bypassing legislative processes. "Forget the democratic choice of using legislation. Forget the legislature. Forget all that. We'll just correct it with our own juries, our own judges," Smith laments. "It's a time of lawlessness and we need to get back and get serious."
The Vital Importance of Local Engagement
The discussion concludes with a renewed emphasis on local political engagement. "If you don't control your life, it's that when they all—politics is local. Local, local politics especially is local," Smith emphasizes. "You gotta get involved, folks."
Wittenbraker's candidacy represents an opportunity for change in Tucson—but only if residents exercise their right to vote. As noted during the conversation, it makes little sense to have voted against Proposition 414 because of distrust in elected officials, only to then abstain from voting to replace those same officials.
The message is clear: Tucson stands at a crossroads, and the direction it takes depends entirely on who shows up to vote.