From Advertiser Anthony Martinelli for City Council:

Martinelli for City Council Policy Positions

Recently longtime Des Moines resident Anthony Martinelli announced his candidacy for Des Moines City Council, Position 06. Below are just a few of the things Anthony Martinelli will work towards if elected to the city council:

  • Increase police funding
“Crime in Des Moines has unfortunately been on the rise in recent years. We need to increase funding for our police, allowing them to quickly hire new officers. We have an incredible police force, we just need to give them the funding they need to do the job as effectively as possible.”
  • Increase focus on homelessness and growing poverty rates
“If elected to the city council I would work relentlessly to address homelessness and growing poverty rates. I would do this through actions such as increasing funding for homeless services and shelters, raising the minimum wage to $14.50 an hour, and decreasing taxes (such utility taxes).”
  • Increase focus on mental health issues
“If on the city council one of my primary focuses would be to substantially increase and improve access to mental health care across the city.”
  • Bring back free parking at the Marina for Des Moines residents
“The fact that Des Moines residents are required to pay to park at the marina – something that was free for decades until 2017 – is something I strongly oppose. In justifying the policy, city leaders say that the funding is being used to pay for the failing seawall. However, at current revenue rates it would take decades for paid parking fees to cover the millions of dollars in repairs needed. If elected I would quickly file an ordinance to once again make marina parking free for those who live in Des Moines, while retaining paid parking for those visiting from other cities (given the city has said that 70-80% of those who park at the marina are from outside the city, there would only be a 20-30% drop in revenue).”
  • Support a reduction in airplane noise and pollution
“We don’t fully understand the potential health risks of consistent, round-the-clock flights, and what we do know about it certainly isn’t good. If elected to the Des Moines City Council I would vote to endorse a proposal (such as this one) demanding a stop to any further flight increases, and to place a nighttime curfew on flights over Des Moines.”
  • Establish municipal broadband
“The price of broadband internet is beyond reach for many people, given the ridiculously high prices controlled by just a couple providers. Establishing a municipal broadband system, ran by the city, would allow Des Moines to offer its residents broadband at a fair price, and potentially even offer it to low-income individuals and families for free. If done right, the system would quickly fund itself, and give residents much more control over things such as pricing and quality (given it’s easier to raise concerns with councilmembers than with the heads of large corporations such as Comcast). Internet has become a basic utility, and it’s time we start treating it as such.”
  • Enhance the business climate
“Businesses are the backbone of any city. With that in mind, if elected to the city council I would work to ensure that the city does a better job of promoting its businesses and enhancing the business climate, through ideas such as establishing a comprehensive business directory and having the city sell discounted vouchers which could be used at Des Moines-based businesses.”
  • Require at least a 60-day notice for rent increases
“For many individuals and families, even a small increase in the cost of rent can result in a huge burden that may even force them to move. Because of this, I support passing a law that requires tenants to be given at least a 60-day notice before their rent is increased, or a 90-day notice if it’s going to be increased by more than 10%. This may not  solve the problem of someone no longer being able to afford their rent if it’s increased, but will give them more time to plan accordingly.”
  • Support a 5% citywide tax on marijuana
“Because cities split just $50,000 out of every $1 million in taxes brought in from marijuana sales, Des Moines receives a minimal figure. Placing a 5% citywide tax on marijuana would bring in nearly half a million in new annual revenue for Des Moines, which could be used to improve public safety. Generally I am against tax increases, but I believe this would have a minimal impact on people’s lives (at most it would add $0.50 per $10 gram) while having a large impact on our city’s budget. It is true that under current state law localities aren’t allowed to place their own tax on marijuana, but I’m working with a group of bipartisan state lawmakers to pass a bill that would lower the state marijuana tax from 37% to 30%, while allowing cities to place a citywide tax of up to 7%.”
  • Allow voters to choose the mayor
“Under current law voters in Des Moines don’t elect the city’s mayor. Instead, the city council chooses amongst themselves to appoint the mayor. If elected to the city council I would work to change this policy so that the mayor is a position chosen by the people, which is a far more democratic process. I believe we should do this without changing any of the power and responsibilities of the mayor (who has just one vote and no veto but does run meetings and appoint committee members), and without removing the position of city manager.”
  • Give Des Moines a stronger voice in Olympia
“I have years of experience developing and advocating for legislation with nonprofit organizations, and years of experience working with and for state lawmakers. If elected to the city council I would use this experience and expertise to give Des Moines a more prominent voice in Olympia, and would advocate for the state to give the city a bigger focus and recognize us as the blossoming and potential-filled city we are.” For more information on the campaign to elect Anthony Martinelli to the Des Moines City Council, click here.]]>

5 replies on “Martinelli for City Council Policy Positions”

  1. From the color of your banner, I assume you are running as a Democrat?
    If so, are you looking to follow the failed Seattle Democratic policies which have brought Seattle to a brink of ruin?
    Will you endorse homeless encampments?
    Will you push for law enforcement not to move along the RV drug dens?
    I am fearful that liberal poitics will only make Des Mones a little Seattle to the south.

    1. Hi BirchCreek,
      I chose the color blue because it’s always been one of my favorite colors (and blue/yellow my favorite combination of colors) – it has nothing to do with my preferred political party.
      That being said, when it comes to policies I am more aligned with Democrats than Republicans, but I very much consider myself independent (I oppose the two party system) and take each issue on a case-by-case basis rather than follow a particular ideology. I support “liberal” policies like ending private prisons, raising the minimum wage and establishing municipal broadband, but I’m also in favor of more traditionally conservative policies such as the second amendment, maintaining strong property rights (I was endorsed in 2017 by the Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights which typically endorses Republicans), and fully-funding our military and police force.
      In contrast to how I’ve seen some people label my intentions, I absolutely don’t want Des Moines to become a mini-Seattle. I far too much love our city’s charm to try and turn it into something so significantly different (I do, however, want to help improve it). There are things Seattle is doing that I think we should consider – such as free bus passes for students – but there are many others I disagree with (the beverage tax, for example).
      When it comes to homelessness, I don’t think homeless encampments are the way to go. We need to fund homeless shelters, and need to do our best to address growing poverty rates and mental illness, both of which play a huge role in the recent increase in those who are homeless.
      In regards to RV drug dens, I would leave it up to our police to decide how to best handle these. I feel very strongly that we have a great police chief with a great team of officers – we just need to fund them more.
      If you have any additional questions regarding my policies or how I would govern, please feel free to call me (206-799-8696) or send me an e-mail ([email protected]).
      Best,
      Anthony

  2. I am a bit confused that Mr. Martinelli wants to enhance the business climate but control what businesses have to pay their employees..because so far the $15 minimum wage for cities that implemented it has not worked out well at all.

    1. Hi Carri,
      After speaking with many individuals and business owners, I feel that $14.50 an hour is a fair compromise. I think we need to respect and embolden our businesses, while at the same time addressing the fact that the current minimum wage is nothing close to livable and poverty rates continue to climb.
      The state minimum wage will soon be $13.50 an hour, so $14.50 would only be $1 an hour difference. I’ve spoken to many businesses in the city (far from all of them, but several dozen), and most told me that this wouldn’t have a huge effect on them (though many did say that $15.50 an hour or more definitely would). However, it could have a large impact on a family following a strict budget. And of course it would be even easier for our businesses to pay the extra dollar an hour if we did a better job of promoting them and helping them thrive.
      Thank you so much for your comment. If you ever have any questions or comments (positive or negative) about me or my campaign please e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at (206)799-8696.
      Best,
      Anthony

      1. Mr. Martinelli, while I appreciate the fact that people need to make a good wage, I do not think that everyone employed is worth $14.50 an hour. All of our employees make more than that but they are experienced and worth it. The problem I have is when the government starts dictating to a private business what they should or should not do. There are more jobs available now than ever and employers will do what they need to stay open and keep valuable employees. Businesses do not need the government intervention nor is it appreciated. This state taxes businesses so much that some businesses have a very difficult time paying $14.50, let them decide not you.. We have enough trouble fighting the liberal policies at the state level.with a democratic controlled state, keep the local policies out of our businesses, please and thank you.
        Best ,
        Carri

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