Little Rock Firefighters Union Backs City Sales Tax Proposal

The Little Rock Firefighters union is throwing its support behind the city's sales tax increase that's up for a vote next month.

In a news release this morning, the union said after careful consideration of the proposal, it's launching its Campaign for Little Rock's Future called "WORTH EVERY PENNY." 

Here's more from the release:

The campaign will include talking to voters and encouraging them to cast two votes FOR the City of Little Rock's proposed 1-cent sales tax which will increase our ability to provide safety for the citizens of Little Rock and our Firefighters.

The campaign will focus on educating voters across the entire city about the need for increased fire protection and how this need is being addressed by the city in its sales tax proposal. Richard Morehead, President of Little Rock Firefighters Union, said, "The city has not been able to add any fire stations since 1992, so just think about how much development has happened since then.  Well that's how much strain is on our department to provide the necessary services to the citizens of Little Rock.  An investment in public safety will assist the firefighters in keeping your family safe- It's a smart investment and 'Worth every Penny.'"
 
We're asking the citizens to help the firefighters by giving us the resources to provide an aggressive interior assault on fires, and successfully accomplish victim rescue, fire control, and property preservation. We don't want to take a defensive position and concede to preventable loss of both life and property. This proposal will give us the resources needed to improve our response times and provide the necessary fire protection to areas of our city that do not have adequate fire protection. We believe the sales tax is "Worth Every Penny."

There will be two votes on the September 13 ballot:

• 3/8 of a cent capital investment which will provide for two new fire stations, fire equipment, and a new radio system.
• 5/8 of a cent operational investment which will provide for hiring 36 new firefighters, retaining another 18 grant position firefighters, and enhancing our daily staffing which will provide increased safety to all citizens of Little Rock.

The campaign has plans to reach out to voters across the entire city throughout the campaign to encourage them to Vote FOR Little Rock's Future on September 13.