The Maricopa County Republican Party on Sunday asked the Superior Court to dismiss its lawsuit challenging the certification of Proposition 479.

County voters overwhelmingly passed the ballot measure in November. Extending the 40-year-old countywide half-cent sales tax would raise nearly $15 billion for local highways, roads and bus routes.

Attorney Brian Brehm said: The complaint was filed on November 30th. In Maricopa County Superior Court, voters must amend the Arizona Constitution in 2022 to “require all tax measures to receive at least 60% of the vote,” meaning the ballot measure received only 59.82% of the vote. , argued that they should not stand up.

Brehm argued that the court should vacate certification of the results because they fell below the 60% threshold established by the passage of Prop. 132.

But proponents of Prop. 479 argued that Brehm’s legal reasoning was incorrect because Prop. 132 applies to constitutional amendments and statewide actions, while Prop. 479 does not.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, who is also president of the Maricopa Association of Governments, a quasi-governmental agency that develops regional transportation plans partially funded by Prop. 479, said Monday that voters voted for a “robust urban plan.” He said he was “pleased” with the decision to continue development. Transportation will proceed as scheduled. ”

“Maricopa County voters know that the investments we are planning will reduce congestion, support local businesses and increase transportation options for the region’s nearly 5 million people. We look forward to continuing our 40-year tradition of building strong, vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods now and into the future,” Hartke said in a prepared statement.

Brehm has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Republic since filing the lawsuit. arizona law Monday’s report said Brehm said he was withdrawing from the campaign “after discussing this matter in further detail with my client and considering a motion to dismiss.”

(This article has been updated with new information.)

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com. Contact her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.

This article originally appeared in the Arizona Republic. Maricopa County Republican Party files to dismiss lawsuit against Proposition 479