Quality of life
Libraries are an important part of this.
The city of Tucson does not operate libraries. That is done by Pima county. The 2012/2013 budget for Pima county allocates $34 million to operate the library system. Given that Tucson includes about half the population of the county, you could calculate that about $17 million is the share for the city of Tucson. That comes to about $32.32 being spent per person.
El Paso spends $8.9 million or $13.43 per person to operate our libraries.
Disgraceful!
Nationally in 2009 total library expenditures per capita were $36.84, a 10-year increase of 12.6 percent. The American Library Association report is here.
We talk about needing to increase the education level in our community. How does this process of tearing down city hall and remodeling multiple new building help that?
We are spending our tax money for the convenience of the cabal running the city instead of on our citizens.
We deserve better
Brutus