Your help was critical

**Thank you to those who were attempting to submit a contribution. There were some technical errors with the donation form, which have now been corrected. Please click here or on the button below to donate today. Thank you! - Debbie & Sal

I hope this message finds you and your family well. 

As you know the last campaign was a tough one for Sal and our family. Your help was critical for the victory, but more importantly for the future direction of Phoenix.

We hate to ask again, but with this election cycle we really need to bolster our defense against the future attacks that we hear are coming. 

Last election we did not move fast enough and the government unions spent over $1 million in the race to try and stop the reforms Sal was getting through City Hall.  Reforms that are meant to protect the city.  Reforms that are designed to protect all of our families from the fiscal nightmare that cities like Detroit are witnessing across our great country.

We cannot be caught off guard again. 

The last election you gave a generous donation of $200. I am asking if you could match that again this time. 

Additionally, the contribution limits have changed and any individual can now give $2,500 per person.

We wouldn’t be asking if we didn’t need your help.  To make an on-line contribution please follow the link to:Donate to DiCiccio for City Council

If you would rather send a check, please send it to our home address with the check made out to DiCiccio for City Council. With a check contribution we will also need:

A full name, address (city, state, and zip), occupation, and employer.

Thanks again and we continue to appreciate your support!

  

Sal and Debbie DiCiccio 

3402 East Manso Court

Phoenix, AZ  85044

If you need to reach me, you can call me on my personal cell at 602-885-0642

Again, thank you so much for all the help you have given us.

Debbie DiCiccio

Pension Reform -- What do you get?

The Taxpayer Funded Millionaires Next Door:
50 City of Phoenix Pensioners To Cost Taxpayers up to $183 Million

A new report generated by data from the City of Phoenix and with the help of independent actuaries shows that taxpayers are on the hook for up to $183 million in retirement benefits for just the top 50 City of Phoenix. Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio released a report today showing the true cost of just 50 “public servants.”

While the average citizen of Phoenix struggles to save for retirement, 50 “public servants” will make millions in retirement from “public service.” These employees are walking away with over a hundred thousand in cash, huge annual pensions, and tens of thousands from city contributions to secondary retirement accounts.

For example, a City of Phoenix librarian was able to retire at the age of 58 and receive a pension of over $102,000 a year, a onetime payout of over $286,000 cash (for vacation and sick time, deferred compensation, and interest acrued from city payments to a secondary retirement account) – all courtesy of the Phoenix taxpayers. At the same time, the people who are funding that librarian’s retirement receive an average social security benefit of only $15,528 a year – and they aren’t able to collect that benefit until they are at least 62.

Findings at a glance:

• The overall cost of the 50 employees is $183 million which includes the spousal benefit, presumes the average life expectancy, and includes cash out payments and interest acrued on city payments to secondary retirement accounts.
• The average cash out at retirement is over $193,000
• The average age at retirement is 56 which is well below the national average

“This turns the notion of civil servant on its head – making the taxpayer the real servant,” Councilman DiCiccio said. “It is time for the Mayor and Council to get serious about pension reform. For years, the system has been gamed by insiders profiting from the goodwill of the public.”

DiCiccio cited the conflict of interest that created this problem. “City staff negotiate their own labor agreements, hire the attorneys that defend the agreements, prepare the reports defending those agreements, and consult with the Mayor and Council on those agreements. This would never be permitted in the private sector.” Said DiCiccio.  

To receive a copy of the report, please contact Sal DiCiccio's office at council.district.6@phoenix.gov.

Is Phoenix Building the Taj Mahal?

Taj Mahal vs Affordable Housing

More Government Waste Exposed

Phoenix voted to spend $32 million to build “affordable” apartments. One phase will cost you $281,000 for each apartment – that is $80,000 more than the cost of a single family home.

This is how Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and some on the Council voted to spend your hard earned tax dollars

YES, that's TWO-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS per apartment.  “Affordable” for the politicians-not for you.

This vote followed the $650,000 they spent on a study of your personal garbage.  This was done in the face of a $38 million deficit, cut police pay and Phoenix received the first credit downgrade ever in history.

As elected leaders, we have an obligation to only spend what we need. We can do better.  We must focus on core needs and protecting you and your family must be the first priority.

Big Tax increases coming your way:

                  *$9,500,000 new water tax

                  *New parking tax/fee for our parks

                  *New fees on seniors for services

                  *New grocery bag tax being discussed

Please help me get the word out to everyone you know!  With your help we can get Phoenix back on the right track.

Sal DiCiccio 

Phoenix City Councilman, District 6

Phoenix working with Mexico trade group

Mexico trade group, country’s largest university could open Phoenix centers

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio said the economic investment group ProMexico and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM, could both land new offices and centers in downtown Phoenix.

“A strong focus on improving our exports to Mexico and foreign direct investment back into the Phoenix market is critical for diversified economy,” DiCiccio said. Phoenix Business Journal, May 21, 2014.

Building and Diversifying our Economy-Big Ideas moving forward:

•         Open a trade office in Mexico City-combine efforts with the state of Arizona
•         Work with the largest university in Mexico to open in Downtown Phoenix
•         Work with the economic development arm of Mexico to open an office in Phoenix
•         Encourage foreign direct investment into our local economy
•         Strengthen our exports to our largest trading partner-Mexico

Thank you for your help and support!

Sal DiCiccio 

Phoenix City Councilman, District Six

Tomorrow we remember

Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Remembering those who protect our families.

Remembering the families of our brave hero’s.  The families that lay awake at night. The families that carry the burden of protecting our families.

Please be safe this Memorial Day and our best to you and your family.Sal DiCiccio

Phoenix City Councilm

an, District Six

Goldfish Ban

Mayor's "big idea" was to vote and ban goldfish from the Arizona State Fair.

Even the Goldfish was surprised when Mayor Stanton & Council voted to ban him! Phoenix has much larger fish to fry than goldfish.

THE BIG FISH:

#1 - Mayor Stanton voted to increase his own office budget and voted to cut Police Officer pay.

My Solution: Lead by example and reduce budget costs to maintain police pay.

#2 - City of Phoenix is 500 Police Officers short. Attrition will remove at least another 100 officers off of our streets by next year. Mayor Stanton has no plan to keep up with attrition.

My Solution: I sent a letter to the Mayor on my plan to hire more -- to date no response. 

#3 - Water Rate Tax Increase. Mayor Stanton fought hard to create a new tax on your water bill and to keep the PR budget fully funded. Taking $9.5 Million from you and your family. The PR budget alone is $3.2 million.

My Solution: Councilmen Bill Gates, Jim Waring and I made a proposal to cut PR, lobbying, travel, dinning, and unnecessary vacant positions preventing this new water tax.

#4 - The budget has no plan to repair the credit rating of the City of Phoenix or fix the structural deficit.

My Solution: The City Manager is moving forward with a strategic plan and zero based budgeting focusing on core functions. Councilmen Bill Gates and I have been pushing this proposal and the city is now moving this plan forward.

Thank you for your help and support!

Sal DiCiccio
Phoenix City Councilman, District Six

Pension/Right To Try Initiatives Coming Soon

Pension/Right To Try Initiative​s Coming Soon Two new initiatives you will be voting on: Phoenix Pension Initiative It looks like this will now make the ballot for November.  There are many great things about this initiative, but for now I am still recommending donors and supporters to wait until we have fully vetted it out.  We are still working on two items, the legality - can it withstand a legal challenge and the fiscal impact - the savings associated with the proposal.  I think it has the potential to be a great move for Phoenix.  I’ve had several calls from supporters and think we should wait a bit longer before giving money and time.  We are almost done…. The Right to Try This is one of the most exciting initiatives Arizonans will vote on this November.  It gives terminally ill patients the “right to try” the medicine of their choice.  This has been making its way through many other states across the nation, but only in Arizona will the public get a chance to voice their opinion.  Think about the impact on both a personal level and an economic level.  It is ridiculous people in this great country must travel to other countries to seek medical care because the FDA has a long waiting period.  This initiative opens up that door for those needing help today. Imagine the economic impact.  Arizona could easily become the state where not only patients come for service, but the place where new technology and medicine is created.  The Goldwater Institute did a fantastic job putting this proposal together.  We should be giving them a high-five for all their work at opening this brand new door for the public and the state. My best to you and your family,   Sal DiCiccio City of Phoenix Councilman, District 6 602-262-7491 council.district.6@phoenix.gov