Pro & Con on RTA Next discussed on AZPM’s The Press Room

The Press Room on AZPM hosted by new News Director David Lee held a live audience forum last week, which aired today online about the upcoming March 10, 2026 RTA Next ballot. It is a proposed extension of the Regional Transporation Authority (RTA) passed in May 2006, for another 20 years to 2046. The original RTA passed a half cents sale tax increase, which continuation is what it being voted on in March’s special election. The Press Room airs on Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on AZPM. (Previous AZPM The Press Room host Steve Goldstein has moved to Georgia).

View the hour/half video here: https://playpbs.azpm.org/show/the-press-room/?_gl=1*lfqq1f*_gcl_au*MTIxMjEzOTY3NS4xNzY3NDQzMDIx*_ga*MTUxNzYOTUwMS4xNzU3MTI0ODY5*_ga_2TXDNNG48F*czE3Njk3ODE0NzIkbzQ0JGcwJHQxNzY5NzgxNDcyJGo2MCRsMCRoMA

Pro RTA Next on the show are Michael Ortega, new Executive Director and Ted Maxwell, Chair of the AZ Transportation Board and on RTA Board. Ortega was a former City of Tucson Manager for over 8 years. The former RTA Executive Director Farhad Moghimi was fired last year, and has filed a $3.8 lawsuit alleging wrongful termination.

To help interview and discuss the RTA Next are reporters Tim Steller, columnist at AZ Daily Star, Caitlin Schmidt of AZ Spotlight, and Nick Rommel of AZPM.

This forum even had a 20 minute live audience participation segment at the end, by five citizens, including former State Senator Steve Farley & former City of Tucson planner Albert Elias. And results of the audience poll at the very end.

I just reported earlier this week that Ward 6 Councilwoman Miranda Schubert has urged voters to vote no:https://blogforarizona.net/ward-6-councilwoman-miranda-schubert-says-to-vote-no-on-rta-next-ballot/

Info on RTA Next: https://rtanext.com/

No on RTA Next (citizen’s group): https://nortanext.com/?_bhlid=e1148688c2263eef777fc8eb025eb99d1c22c250

Upcoming forums to learn more are coming up next week on Feb. 3 (two virtual forums), and later on Feb. 9 (at Ward 2 Council office), and Feb. 10 online hosted by LWVGT.

Carolyn’s note: The popular 4 mile Sun Link streetcar was one of the programs funded by the original RTA, but I hear from readers about the frustration of the ongoing widening of Grant Rd. Honestly, I’ve been wondering for years why public transport staffers don’t realize that building many more shaded benches throughout the city are important to increase ridership on bus stops in Tucson (esp. during the heat of the SW summers).

Early ballots go out on Feb. 11. Vote wisely on or before March 10, 2026. These will be Propositions 418 and 419 on the ballot.