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Public commenter urges San Luis voters to oppose Prop 434, warns measure would eliminate council pay
Summary
At the city council meeting, Antonio Ramirez urged residents to vote no on Prop 434, arguing it would prevent elected officials from receiving compensation and narrow the pool of candidates who can afford to serve.
Antonio Ramirez, who identified himself as political and policy director for Bridal Arizona Action, used the meeting’s public‑comment period to urge San Luis residents to oppose Proposition 434.
Ramirez said the current council stipend — he cited figures of $10,000 to $10,800 for council members — is not a living wage and argued paying elected officials is necessary so a broader range of people can afford to run for office. "The $10,000 $10,800 that city council members make is not a living wage," Ramirez said. He warned that if Prop 434 passed it would "obliterate the salaries for the mayor and council" and said removing compensation would make it more likely that only wealthy people could serve.
Ramirez also argued that city governance requires significant time and attention, citing the council’s approval last June of a $122 million budget as an example of the workload. He asked constituents to "think of Prop 434 not as pay for the representation you have, but pay for the representation that you want," and urged a no vote.
No council action on the measure occurred at the meeting; Ramirez spoke during the public‑comment period and the record does not show a staff report or council discussion on Prop 434 itself.
