Ballot Decision: Phoenix Transportation Tax
Voters in one of the nation’s counties with the fastest population growth will have the chance to decide whether to extend a half-cent sales transportation tax for the next 20 years in the upcoming year.
This tax is meant to pay for significant motorway, light rail, and road upgrades in the busy Phoenix metro area. The transportation tax bill, known as Proposition 400, was approved by Governor Katie Hobbs after successfully passing through the Arizona Legislature on the last day of the session.
Over $1 billion is expected to be raised yearly from the proposed levy. In Arizona’s most populated county, it was initially approved by voters in 1985, and it was then extended for a further 20 years in 2004.
Surprisingly, unusual bipartisan cooperation was shown during the passing of this bill. Republican legislators collaborated with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs to assure that the measure will appear on the ballot in November 2024.
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Extending Transportation Tax for 20 Years
The county would be required to enact the tax, and the state Department of Transportation would be charged with its collection for an additional 20 years, beginning on January 1, 2026, should the proposal be passed by voters.
Proposition 400 is hailed by its proponents as a major step towards guaranteeing the state’s economic future and generating a large number of well-paying job opportunities for Arizonans.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed her displeasure with some portions of the law while appreciating the importance of Proposition 400’s development. She specifically expressed dissatisfaction with the concurrent move to cut revenue to cities, including Phoenix, in the ensuing fiscal year.
The increasingly populous county’s residents will have the ability to influence the future of their transportation infrastructure when the initiative moves toward the ballot in 2024. The choice will have a big impact on the region’s economic growth and development in addition to improving commuting and providing better transportation options.
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Source: www.foxnews.com
