By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief
As the May 2021 municipal election begins to pick up steam, numerous candidates have already made their plans known for the upcoming cycle. Thus far, three candidates have announced bids for mayor and ten candidates have announced plans to run for seats on the Amarillo City Council. Along with the numerous challengers applying to run against the incumbents, nearly all of the current occupants of seats on the Amarillo City Council have launched bids for re-election — including Amarillo Matters loyalist Eddy Sauer.
On Wednesday, Sauer announced that he would seek a third term on the Amarillo City Council. In his announcement on Facebook, the incumbent’s campaign once again tagged low taxes as a campaign issue he will address this year.
“Not only do we need to move out of COVID crisis mode, we need to be certain to keep our taxes low. I want businesses to have what they need, and for Amarillo to be not just open, but be vibrant,” Sauer wrote.
Excellent. So, Councilman, when does your support for low taxes actually begin?
Since Sauer has been on the Amarillo City Council, he has voted for every tax increase that has come before the body. Additionally, he sat on the City Council that fast tracked an election in 2020 that would have produced one of the largest tax increases in Amarillo history.
Sauer mailer from 2019 election/Photo by Staff
Still, even with Sauer’s completely pro-tax increase record, he has somehow continued to paint himself as being against tax increases. In 2019, Sauer’s campaign produced a mail piece calling him a “champion for low taxes,” saying, “Eddy Sauer opposes efforts to raise property taxes.”
Then, just a year later, Sauer’s City Council was pushing one of the largest tax increases in Amarillo history through Proposition A. And, to put a cherry on top of the sundae of deceit prepared by Councilman Sauer, he voted to place the tax increase on the ballot.
So, with a 100% pro-tax increase record, in addition to his efforts to hand local taxpayers one of the largest tax increases in this city’s history, what makes Sauer believe he can legitimately say he wants to keep taxes low? If anything, Sauer should just be honest and tell Amarillo voters that another two years of his presence on the Amarillo City Council will mean more money out of taxpayers’ wallets.
Luckily, Sauer has drawn two challengers already for the May election. Retired Austin Hose CEO Tom Scherlen and resident Jolene Santiago have announced bids against the Amarillo tax increase king.
Still, even with a quality challenger, we cannot take it for granted that the right thing will happen this May.
Voters cannot let Sauer get away with talking about low taxes while pushing for higher taxes at every turn. If you want low taxes, make sure you choose a new representative for Amarillo City Council Place 3 on Election Day.
Filing for spots on the ballot begins January 13. Election Day is May 1.