08/21/2025
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns collectively turned their backs on public safety in our state Tuesday, worsening a crisis that has made the dangerous work of protecting our communities even more difficult.By passing PSMAC 1, a resolution meant to block much-needed future changes to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, the League’s leadership essentially told tens of thousands of fire fighters, cops, and the communities we serve, that we simply aren’t worth the trouble. That ill-advised decision threatens to end more than a decade of collaboration to improve PSPRS, years that have seen fire fighter and police organizations ever-willing to work with our employers, elected leaders, and taxpayers to protect the retirement system and to preserve public safety resources and budgets.We must commend Mayors like Mesa’s Mark Freeman, Peoria’s Jason Beck, Glendale’s Jerry Weiers, and Goodyear’s Joe Pizzillo, who voted against PSMAC 1. Unlike Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke – who proposed the measure – and the other yes voters, these leaders understand the challenges faced by fire and police departments statewide. We appreciate your commitment to keeping our communities safe.As you read this, public safety agencies are in crisis, losing experienced first responders daily and struggling mightily to fill open positions. This manpower shortage – surely made worse by the League’s vote – will continue to send 911 response times skyrocketing.Your PFFA will never turn our back on our members, the people we serve, and the generations of first responders yet to come. We will continue to resist anti-public safety measures like PSMAC 1, and we will continue to support our Tier 3 members in the struggle to achieve a fair, equitable retirement for everyone willing to risk his or her life to keep the public safe.
