Republicans in the Arizona State Legislature passed their version of the Prop 400 Extension on road and transportation infrastructure projects for Maricopa County on June 13, 2023.
Unfortunately, their idea of good road and transportation projects for infrastructure, according to reporting from AZ Central and other sources over the last several days, did not include the expansion or maintenance of light rail, air quality standards with regard to the banning of gas burning vehicles, and the securing of matching federal funds for these projects.
Apparently, Legislative Republicans, like House Speaker Ben Toma inexplicably find the prospects of expanded light rail in the vicinity of the State Capitol a slap in the face.
Their position is that Governor Katie Hobbs will not get a better deal from this legislature and she should either take the Republican-only endorsed bill or leave it.
Governor Hobbs decides to Leave it.
The Governor, who along with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), offered a compromise proposal with thirty revisions (including the taking out of funding for new light rail but leaving appropriations for maintenance) that was rejected by the Legislative Republicans, has decided to leave it.
In a statement after the Republican-only bill surfaced, Governor Hobbs issued a statement which read:
“From day one, I promised I would be laser-focused on growing our economy and bringing high-paying jobs to our state for Arizona workers. Republican leadership’s partisan bill does neither of those things, and will be vetoed when it reaches my desk. Now, it’s time for legislators to vote on a compromise that is supported by a bipartisan majority in both chambers, business and labor leaders, and Maricopa County cities. It’s time for Republican leadership to stop playing partisan games, put the bipartisan compromise up for a vote, and stop holding our state’s economic potential hostage.”
Maricopa County Mayors Pledge to Resurrect Their Version of Prop 400 and Take It to the Voters.
A bipartisan group of Mayors from Phoenix (Kate Gallego,) Mesa (John Giles,) Avondale (Ken Weise,) Tempe (Corey Woods,) Chandler (Kevin Hartke,) and Gilbert (Brigette Peterson) released a joint statement following the passage of the Republican-only Prop 400 extension.
In it, they stated:
“As the mayors of some of the largest cities in Arizona, we have been advocating for an extension of Prop. 400 because it is the largest economic development plan in our state’s history, ensures our continued vibrancy as a region, and presents comprehensive transportation options that benefit all Maricopa County residents and businesses.
Unfortunately, a very small group of lawmakers, including legislative leaders in the House and Senate, are refusing to let Maricopa County residents vote on this plan at the ballot box – despite years of public planning and the unanimous endorsement of the region’s 32 mayors and tribal leaders.
Our significant concessions – more than 30 in all – have included more freeways and cuts to public transit, including limiting light-rail expansions. This uncompromising band of lawmakers is blocking a comprehensive transportation plan that benefits all Valley residents and will ensure the region’s transit infrastructure is built to support rapid future growth.
These lawmakers, spouting the half-truths of fringe special interests, have not been negotiating in good faith and their priorities involving transportation just don’t mesh with the realities of where we are as the fastest-growing county in the U.S.
We are unalterably opposed to their plan, and if no solution is reached, we will have no choice
but to pursue another avenue to get this before voters in 2024.”
Do not be surprised if the mayors search for a way where Maricopa County Residents (or as AZ Central reports, the whole state) can be asked to sign petitions to support placing a ballot initiative before the voters that will ask them to support the MAG’s version of Proposition 400.
Stay Tuned.
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