SARAH PALIN

Palin Supported Plan to Create 2 Percent Wasilla Sales Tax to Pay for Police Department. In 1992,
voters in Wasilla approved Proposition 3, to start a police department financed by the city’s first-ever
sales tax, at 2 percent. “I’d feel safer saying this if the margin was wider, but I think Wasilla finally sees
the light. People see the need for change,” said Sarah Palin. The Anchorage Daily News wrote, “Palin, a
political newcomer, was one of two supporters of the police-sales tax plan elected to the city council
Tuesday.” The proposal combined the creation of a police department, the sales tax and cutting Wasilla’s
present 4.2 mill city property tax to a 2 mill cap. [Anchorage Daily News (AK), 10/8/92]
Palin Voiced Her Strong Support of the 2 Percent Sales Tax. In 1992, Palin said, “In keeping with my
progressive competitive attitude regarding Wasilla, I favor the two percent sales tax. It’s the most fair tax.
I believe it is time Wasilla residents grew up and took responsibility for ourselves and started paying our
own way, and quit ripping off the state and the borough to pay for the services and the amenities that we
enjoy now, and will enjoy when we can pay for them.” [Frontiersman, 9/30/92]
Property Taxes
Palin Signed Petition To Get Proposition 4—A Property Tax Cap—on the Ballot, But Declined to
Take a Strong Public Stand. Palin wrote, “I am one of the 42,000 Alaskans who signed the petition to
get Proposition 4 on the ballot. I would sign it again in a heartbeat because the result of this initiative
process has been the engagement in dialogue of people who see the wisdom in seeking positive changes
In their communities. My dilemma in taking a strong public stand on Proposition 4 stems from the fact
that I am an ardent conservative, serving a progressive, conservative community that supports the ideal of
‘smaller, smarter government.’ Wasilla is moving forward because we chose to reduce our property tax
mill levy, to spread our local tax burden more equitably with a 2 percent sales tax, and to prioritize public
funds to address basic, necessary infrastructure needs that have resulted in Wasilla’s thriving private
sector and an improved quality of life. Any chance I get I will offer my support to others who also believe
in exploring tax alternatives and refuse to embrace the status quo just because ‘that’s the way it’s always
been done up here.’“ [Palin letter to the editor, Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), 10/25/00]
Palin Said She Believed a State Property Tax Cap Could “Erode Local Control.” Palin wrote, “On
the other hand, I believe a state-imposed tax cap could erode local control, which I passionately support,
and takes away an aspect of the self-determination that has benefited our community.” [Palin letter to the
editor, Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), 10/25/00]
Palin’s Name Was Listed as Supporting Property Tax Cap on Website, Did Not Ask for It to Be
Removed Because She Was “Open to Discussing” It. Palin wrote, “Though I did not know my name
was listed on the pro-tax cap Web site until your reporter informed me last week, I have not asked that it
be removed, as I am open to discussing the cap’s potential successes.” [Palin letter to the editor, Anchorage
Daily News (Alaska), 10/25/00]
Palin Had “Second Thoughts” About Property Tax Cap. “Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin, also listed on
the Web site as a supporter, recently said she was having second thoughts about the measure. While she
didn’t ask Tax Cap Yes to remove her endorsement, and said she was still undecided about how she
would vote, she said she had turned down requests to speak in favor of the tax cap.” [Anchorage Daily News
(Alaska), 10/11/00]
1998: City Decreased Mill Rate .2, Decreased City Operating Costs 10 Percent. “The mill rate was set
at 1.3 mills, a reduction of .2 mills, Finance Director Erling Nelson noted. The total of the city’s budget
for fiscal 1999 is $7,392,725, down from the $7,317,775 for 1998.” The Frontiersman added, “According