CNN iReport

Total Government Expenditures Increased 63 Percent Under Palin. In

fiscal 2003—the last fiscal year Palin approved the budget—the total

government expenditures of Wasilla, excluding capital outlays, were

$7,046,325. In fiscal 1996—the year before Palin took control of the

budget—the expenditures were $4,317,947. The increase was 63 percent.

Wasilla Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2003, Table 1

Palin Supported Increasing Wasilla Sales Tax From 2 to 2.5 Percent

to Build $14.7 Million Sports Center. “Wasilla residents have given the

go ahead to building a new multiuse sports center in town and to

raising the city sales tax to pay for it. With the final votes counted

Friday, residents voted 306 to 286 in favor of a measure to raise the

city sales tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent to pay the estimated $14.7

million cost of building the center…Mayor Sarah Palin, who supported

the measure, said the tight vote will motivate city officials to keep a

close eye on the budget for the center.” Anchorage Daily News, 3/9/02

Palin Left Behind Almost $19 Million In Long-Term Debt, Compared to

None Before She Was Mayor. In fiscal 2003—the last fiscal year Palin

approved the budget—the bonded long-term debt was $18,635,000. In

fiscal 1996—the year before Palin took control of the budget—there was

no general obligation debt. [Wasilla Comprehensive Annual Financial

Report 2003, Table 10]