Tonight, I voted YES on the city budget, and NO on the proposed tax rate increase.

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As a law-and-order Councilmember, my top priority has always been public safety. I ran on supporting our police, fire, and first responders, and I will not compromise on that commitment. 

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There is no more vital service this council provides. Voting for the budget ensures we do not disrupt critical funding or essential safety operations for the men and women who protect our neighborhoods every single day.

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However, supporting public safety does not require raising taxes. I acknowledge that the city faces a budget shortfall, but that deficit should not be solved on the backs of hard-working taxpayers.

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My vote against the tax rate increase comes down to four core principles:

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I believe that fiscal responsibility starts at the top: We did not do enough to cut wasteful spending—including travel and discretionary expenses for staff and City Council members—before asking residents for more money. If we ask Fort Worth families to tighten their belts, City Hall must lead by example.

 

We must respect family budgets: Fort Worth residents are already struggling with the rising cost of living, housing, groceries, and utilities. Government should not add to that financial pressure unless every other option has been completely exhausted.

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Raising taxes at the maximum rate should not become the norm: We should not follow Austin or Houston down a path where tax hikes become the norm. Growth should make Fort Worth stronger, not simply make local government bigger.

 

I believe that a budget deficit does not automatically justify a tax increase: Until we directly confront and fix our city's underlying structural budget challenges, I cannot in good conscience vote for a tax rate hike.

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Moving forward I will continue to work with my colleagues on ways to cut waste before considering future tax rate increases. We should always work to protect core services, support public safety, and invest in our neighborhoods without making higher taxes the default answer.