WELCOME TO JL's NEWSLETTER
Allow me to introduce myself and explain why I've started this newsletter.
My name is Janet "JL" Wittenbraker. I'm a long-time Tucson resident, a former candidate for public office in both Tucson and Pima County, and someone deeply committed to keeping our community informed about the decisions made by our local elected officials.
Many people focus on federal politics, believing it has the biggest impact on their daily lives. But in reality, local government touches nearly every aspect of our routines—from property taxes and home values to zoning rules, landscaping and rainwater harvesting requirements, business licensing fees, job growth through development, sales tax (one of the highest in the state of Arizona), and even the condition of our roads. These are the things that directly affect us day in and day out.
Unfortunately, voter turnout in Tucson's local elections remains low, especially in off-year cycles. Our system can be confusing: primaries are ward-only, generals are citywide, and we rely solely on vote-by-mail, which has raised concerns about trust. Add in issues like the County Recorder's decision to remove outer envelopes—exposing signatures and personal information—and it's no wonder some feel disconnected.
That's why I've committed to attending City Council meetings, either in person or online, and sharing what I observe. I do this so you don't have to watch every minute, though I strongly encourage you to tune in or attend when an issue matters to you personally.This newsletter will highlight upcoming agenda items and provide recaps, in hopes of sparking more public engagement.
Tucson Mayor & Council: Observations from Outside the Dias
Edition 1 – January 1, 2026
Recap of the December 16, 2025 City Council Meeting
Presented by Janet "JL" Wittenbraker
Focus on Homelessness: Housing First Under the Spotlight
Tucson’s Mayor and Council meetings typically unfold in two acts (occasionally three). The midday Study Session, starting around noon, handles city business details, while the evening Regular Session, beginning at 5:30 p.m., addresses policy decisions. An Executive Session may be added when needed, closing the doors to the public for sensitive discussions.Excluding the public—who elected these officials—from key conversations on property acquisitions, labor contracts, or legal strategies that affect taxpayers raises questions about true governmental consent. Transparency builds trust; even legally permitted closed sessions can erode it, leaving residents uninformed about decisions made on their behalf.
Local government should prioritize openness, reserving closed sessions for only the rarest necessities rather than routine use. But I digress.
The December 16 study session highlighted the Mayor and Council's disconnect from fiscal responsibility, as they refused to consider selling unused city properties along Broadway—prime parcels vacant for 16 years.
The main focus, however, remained homelessness. There, the majority defended and sought to expand the city's Housing First strategy—an approach that prioritizes permanent housing without requiring treatment for addiction or mental health issues upfront. Support services are offered but remain voluntary.
We've seen persistent encampments, rising crime, and limited decline in unsheltered homelessness despite millions invested.
At its core, Housing First provides compassion via subsidized permanent housing without mandating sobriety, treatment, or employment. This can foster ongoing dependency on public support without addressing root causes like addiction, mental health, or economic pressures.
In government, poor outcomes are often reframed as "progress"—a standard rarely tolerated elsewhere. Tucson's leadership seems trapped in this cycle.
We share the goal of effective, humane solutions to homelessness: measurable results that ease burdens on residents and businesses facing rising costs.
Tucson City Council: Disrespect, Distraction, and Limited Voices – Why Residents Must Demand Better
Generally speaking, Tucson City Council evening sessions begin with the Call to the Public, which follows the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance —during this portion, Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz has displayed clear disrespect through contrary statements and gestures.
The Mayor and Council decided to limit public comment to 30 minutes, which restricted input from residents and business owners.
One speaker from out of town used their time to criticize federal executive orders—an issue unrelated to local governance—despite the dramatic delivery.
Throughout the public comments, speakers faced visible signs of disagreement from Mayor Regina Romero, including eye-rolling and shifting in her seat.
Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz spent nearly the entire Call to the Public fixing her hair.
This is why it’s important for residents to attend these meetings and hold their elected representatives to a higher standard of professionalism and accountability.
A Vote to Continue Tucson’s Failed Policies on the Backs of Our Most Vulnerable
Residents
Facing a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall amid declining revenues, the Mayor and Council's response was to approve hikes in utility taxes, hotel bed taxes, short-term rental fees, and a tripling of transaction fees for pawn shops and secondhand stores (from $1 to $3 per item). They framed this as "equitable," but it disproportionately affects working families, small businesses, tourists, and our most vulnerable—who often rely on pawn services for quick cash without credit.
The utility tax rate will increase from 4.5% to 5%. This tax is passed on to consumers through higher utility bills. Raising hotel taxes while promoting tourism seems counterproductive, potentially deterring visitors and impacting hospitality workers at every level.
Pawn and secondhand shops provide essential services for the underbanked, screening items for theft (the original purpose of those fees). Kudos to Ron DeSouza for organizing speakers from that industry—they made strong points, even as some council members appeared distracted or dismissive during public comments.
Naturally, the Mayor and Council deferred the proposed privilege tax for media advertising—but that is because they’re in the media’s back pocket. That is why it is important to support independent outlets such as Tucson857, Izzy Uzcategui, and, of course, newsletters like this one.
Middle Housing and Fare-Free Transit: The Slow Erosion of Tucson's Neighborhood Charm?
Tucson City Council recently greenlit citywide "middle housing" reforms, going far beyond Arizona's modest state mandate—unleashing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and cottage courts across nearly every residential zone, complete with slashed parking requirements. Neighborhood voices rang out in protest, decrying the looming chaos of jammed streets, heightened safety risks, and the quiet vanishing of that cherished community character that makes Tucson feel like home.
Meanwhile, on the transit front, the council tossed a few crumbs toward safety—funding some off-duty officers for patrols—yet shied away from any sweeping fixes to curb the troubling spike in assaults and open drug use plaguing Sun Tran buses. Fare-free rides? They remain sacred, untouched.
Miranda Schubert, a strong advocate for fare-free transit, delivered a pointed, measured retort to whispers of reinstating fares, casting sharp doubt on rosy revenue projections and potential drops in ridership.
But here's the rub: while the council clings to this vision of progressive utopia, a growing chorus of Tucsonans is sounding the alarm. Violent crime on buses has made headlines—from brutal attacks to shootings—fueling real fears about safety. And with the city staring down budget shortfalls, pouring millions into perpetual free transit feels increasingly untenable—especially when many residents believe reinstating fares could restore order, deter misuse, and ease the strain on taxpayers already footing the bill.Is this the price of "equity," or the quiet demise of the peaceful, livable neighborhoods we all moved here for?
Closing Thoughts: A Pattern Emerges
If you've been paying attention to our Tucson City Council meetings—like the recent ones grappling with budget shortfalls and rising costs—you can't help but notice a clear and frustrating pattern. Time and again, we've seen certain progressive ideologies take center stage, often at the expense of basic fiscal restraint, strict enforcement of our existing laws, and straightforward, common-sense solutions. We're talking about safer streets for our families, a balanced budgets that doesn't burden taxpayers, and priorities that actually deliver results instead of chasing trendy agendas.
It's exactly this kind of imbalance that's motivated me to launch this newsletter. My goal is simple: to keep you in the loop with straightforward updates, hold our local leaders accountable, and rally support for bringing real balance back to Tucson's government. We all deserve leadership that puts Tucson families, hardworking residents, and small businesses first—lowering unnecessary burdens where we can, fixing potholes and public safety issues promptly, and focusing on what truly makes our city thrive.
Thank you for reading and joining this effort. I'm passionate about our community, and I know many of you are too. Together, with persistence and unity, we can push for a stronger, more responsible, and prosperous Tucson that works for everyone.
Stay informed, stay engaged—let's make it happen!
— JL Wittenbraker
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
