Mayor Ginger Nelson and Councilman Eddy Sauer have voted to raise taxes in every possible vote since taking office/Photos by Nelson and Sauer Campaigns
By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief
As I have mentioned in recent editorials, Amarillo voters were bamboozled in 2019 by the promises of low taxes by Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson and her most loyal City Councilman, Eddy Sauer. Now, with the past two years gone by — and two more tax increases, with it — Amarillo voters finally have the opportunity to hold Nelson and Sauer accountable for lying to voters about their stances on this issue.
For those who have not read my past articles on this subject, both Nelson and Sauer promised in one way or another to be for low taxes when they sought re-election in 2019. In Nelson’s case, her campaign website at the time said Ginger Nelson would “keep taxes low and provide economic opportunity across the city.” Sauer’s promise was an even more egregious lie, with the politician calling himself a “champion for low taxes,” with a mailer produced by the Sauer campaign going on to say, “Eddy Sauer opposes efforts to raise property taxes.”
Fast forward to 2021, and both Nelson and Sauer have voted for every tax increase that has come before the Amarillo City Council, including increases in both 2019 and 2020. Additionally, both Nelson and Sauer voted to place an item on the ballot that would have caused the largest tax increase in Amarillo’s history. Following the defeat of that massive tax increase at the hands of the voters, Nelson continued to parrot her talking point that the voters’ rejection of yet another tax increase was based on “misinformation,” instead of understanding the sentiment among voters that yet another tax increase was too much in the middle of a recession.
So, a politician who promised to keep taxes low votes for every tax increase, then refuses to accept voters defeated the proposed largest increase in our city’s history based on their desire to stop additional tax increases?
Does that sound like someone who wants to “keep taxes low?”
The bottom line is Nelson and Sauer both lied to voters and misled them about their stances on tax increases in 2019. If voters took away anything from that election, it should have been that just because someone calls themselves a “champion” of something doesn’t mean they are actually a champion. Tax Increase Eddy should have proven that clearly to voters.
Luckily, voters do not have to let No Shame Nelson and Tax Increase Eddy get away with their lies.
This year, both Nelson and Sauer have drawn very credible challengers who will put a stop to the constant tax hikes and lies about where politicians stand on the issues.
In Nelson’s case, catering company owner Michael Hunt is clearly a fiscally responsible candidate who will bring common-sense business practices to Amarillo’s City Hall. Hunt will hold our government accountable and ensure we stop wasteful spending and tax increases at a time when every penny counts to so many local taxpayers.
For Sauer, local business leader Tom Scherlen will meet the challenges our city faces head-on without bending to the pressures of the political elite. Unlike Sauer, Scherlen will actually keep taxes low and will ensure there is accountability for every tax dollar received by our City government and every dollar spent.
With Hunt and Scherlen on the ballot, voters will not have to put up with two more years of the lies told by Nelson and Sauer about low taxes. By voting for Hunt and Scherlen, voters can ensure the people who represent them will actually deliver on their promises while in office.
As a voter in Amarillo, you have the opportunity to hold your local government accountable this year. And by voting for candidates like Michael Hunt and Tom Scherlen, you can elect people who will make fiscal responsibility a priority and put an end to the never-ending cycle of lies and half-truths told by our City Council.
Election Day is May 1. Make sure you get out and vote.