After the conservative Freedom Caucus was defeated in the Arizona legislature, both houses on Monday called on voters in Maricopa County to continue with Proposition 400, a half-cent transportation tax that would fund roads and public transit. passed the bill.
course of Senate Bill 1102The bill, which puts Proposition 400 to voters for the third time since it was first approved in 1984, marks the end of a long and controversial legislative session that lasted a record 203 days.
If Gov. Katie Hobbs signs the bill, which she plans to sign, it will direct Maricopa County to hold a countywide election to extend the transportation tax to voters for 20 years. Taxes fund road and highway projects, along with public transportation, which is an issue for people in the Freedom Caucus.
But the bill affects residents throughout the state, not just Maricopa County. Because if Proposition 400 is defeated, every other county will have to compete with Maricopa for limited state transportation funding.
The bill includes a $24 billion plan over 20 years, of which 40.5% will be allocated to highways and highways, 37% to public transit, and 22.5% to roads and intersections.
Voters last approved the tax in 2004 and it is set to expire at the end of 2025. The tax has funded projects such as Light Rail, State Route 51, State Route 24, Loop 101, Route 202, and Route 303.
Formerly House of Representatives Approved another version SB 1102 in June was supported by Republicans and passed in line with party policy, but Mr. Hobbes I vetoed the billHe said it was time to come together to create a bipartisan solution.
The original version required Maricopa County to ask voters two separate questions. One asked whether the government would continue to spend most of the tax money it raises to support road projects, and the other whether it would withdraw the rest of the money for public transportation.
Members of the Freedom Caucus were unhappy that these two questions were merged into one question in the final version of the bill, and Scottsdale Rep. Asked what is paid for the public. Only her 1% of Arizonas use transit.
“This denies voters in Maricopa County a real choice,” Collodin said. “This is holding road funds hostage.”
Mr. Corodin and several of his colleagues said a majority of voters would, given the choice, favor keeping taxes to fund highway projects but fund public transportation. He said he believed he would not agree.
Democratic Rep. Seth Bratman said the new bill was an opportunity to invest in highways, roads and public transportation, ultimately benefiting all residents of the state.
“We’re saying ‘yes’ to investing in ourselves,” Bratman said.
He added that transportation infrastructure is one of the most basic functions of government and will continue to help Maricopa County keep pace with its rapid growth.
Senators and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle lamented the swift process to get the bill into law, with some senators only seeing the final draft of the bill a few days ago and making final amendments just before they voted on the bill Monday afternoon. was added. .
Republican Rep. Justin Heap, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said the process of getting the bill through is the same kind of process he and many of his freshman colleagues hoped would stop when running for office. said it was.
“We are passing a $20 billion continuation bill that no one has read or understood,” he said.
However, Republican Rep. Matt Gress of Phoenix has blocked Maricopa County from promoting a “road diet” and has put up guardrails on the funds restricting the use of funds by Republican House Speaker Ben Thoma and Warren Rep. Praised Senate President Petersen for his leadership. Build a new light rail line.
“It’s important to remember that this plan is ultimately subject to voter approval, and taxpayers have the final say,” said Gress.
Both House and Senate leaders also said that Corodin questioned whether funding for the new light rail was really cut in the final version of the bill because there wasn’t much time, among other statements by members of the Liberal Democrats. showed disapproval in the part. Check the final version.
“This is a 100% Hobbes-led Democratic celebration of love bill,” said Rep. Jacqueline Parker, a member of the Freedom Caucus. He added that the bill had a “diabolical project” hidden in it, but did not specify what it was.
Democratic Senator Priya Sundareshan of Tucson added that lawmakers were not given much time to scrutinize the bill and understand the changes, and the process “left a lot to be desired.” added.
Before the bill was voted on by the Senate, Petersen referred to claims that the bill was Arizona’s version of the Green New Deal, saying that those who share that view are “severely misunderstood or lacking integrity.” said.
“If voters pass this, it will be the most conservative transit plan ever passed in Arizona,” Petersen said. “Please read the bill.”
The bill guarantees no new light rail will be built around the Capitol and increases oversight of the Maricopa Government Association, a regional body that allocates funds for transportation projects. There is also a provision to defund public transportation from cities that operate inefficiently, and there is no mandate to use electric vehicles.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 43-14 and then the Senate by a vote of 19-7.
The Maricopa Government Association, which promoted the traffic tax extension, represents 27 cities in the region and parts of three indigenous tribes, Maricopa and Pinal counties.
Parliament is finally closed
“Mr. Mr. Speaker, I’ve waited 203 days to do this,” said Acting Speaker Travis Grantham before the House began proceedings with the legislative term sign-die. Told.
This year’s legislative session is more than a month longer in Arizona’s history, with the previous record of 173 days in 1988. The session lasted 203 days, mainly due to multiple parliamentary sessions. extended break for parliamentarians. Congress met for the last time in mid-June before finishing work on Monday.
And Governor Katie Hobbs has used a record number of vetoes in this legislative session, rejecting a record 143 bills, two of them in Congress. tried to override but failed. A total of 347 bills were sent to the governor, of which 202 of his were signed into law.
The closing of this session also marks a change from past sessions, where budget negotiations typically continued late into the night.lawmakers have already passed Statewide Budget for May.
“Okay, goodbye. The Senate has officially pronounced you dead,” Petersen said after the Senate formally voted on the motion to end session. Seven Republicans voted against ending the session, including Majority Leader Sonny Borelli, David Gowan, Jake Hoffman, Anthony Kahn, J.D. Mesnard, Wendy Rogers and Justin Wadsak.
The chamber erupted in cheers and applause after the death motion was made in the House of Representatives. Mr. Thomas voted for the motion by roll call, where a small number of “no” voices were heard, only to be ridiculed with “Come on!” by lawmakers.
Applause erupted in the House after the motion passed.
