Maricopa County needs its Prop. 400 transportation tax on the ballot. The Legislature is in the way
Download mp3 (19.12 MB)State lawmakers adjourned for another break earlier this week — but not before voting on nearly 100 bills in a single day.
The marathon voting session came after the Legislature and the governor agreed on a budget, and you’d think it would mean they’re getting ready to finish up their session. But a lot remains undone at the Capitol still.
KJZZ Politics Editor Ben Giles joined The Show to break it all down.
One item left on the docket is Prop. 400, a half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County that funds transportation projects.
Prop. 400 was originally passed by voters in 1985 and renewed again in 2004. But now it faces expiration in 2025.
Before it can be sent back to voters to renew it again, the Legislature has to authorize the election.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers tried to send it to Maricopa County voters last year, but the effort was vetoed by then-Gov. Doug Ducey. And so far this session, lawmakers haven’t been able to agree on an extension.
Avondale Mayor Ken Weise is a a proponent of the effort. He also serves on the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning agency. He joined The Show to make a case for the extension.
