Maricopa County Transportation Tax Measure Triumphs in Legislature Following Intense Battle

Maintenance & RepairNuts & Bolts
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

The Arizona Legislature approved a bill allowing Maricopa County to hold a transportation tax election in the coming year. The proposed measure seeks to extend a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation projects over the next 20 years. The estimated $14.9 billion raised through the tax would be allocated to freeway projects (40.5%), transit (37%), and arterial streets and intersection improvements (22.5%). The bill faced heated debates, leading to major changes that favored road projects over transit initiatives.

The plan's prohibition on spending money for light rail expansion generated significant controversy. Despite some disagreements among Republicans, the bill received bipartisan support and is expected to appear on the November 2024 ballot in Maricopa County.

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Jennifer Joslyn
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