![]() The future of a half-cent sales tax that has been used to fund a wide array of transportation projects in growing Maricopa County may be in doubt as members of the Arizona State Legislature try to decide whether to keep it in place. Approved by county voters in 1985 as Proposition 300 and renewed in 2004 as Proposition 400, the sales tax has helped to fund billions of dollars through the years in key transit and highway projects, including building out the busy Loops 101, 202, and 303 surrounding metro Phoenix. Proposition 400 funding has also been used to build the Valley Metro Rail light rail, as well as Arizona State Route 51 in Phoenix and Arizona State Route 24 in the East Valley. By design, around 56% of all the revenue collected through the sales tax has gone to freeway and highway projects with 33% targeting transit improvements, and 10% for arterial street improvements. Because the initiative is set to expire on December 31, 2025, Maricopa County leaders have been pushing for yet another renewal. But before a renewed sales tax proposal can be taken to the voters, it must first win the approval of the state legislators in the form of authorizing a new election. Not everyone, however, is happy with the proposition, which if approved by lawmakers and voters in Maricopa County would have a 25-year life. Some legislators have charged that the funding mechanism has ended up paying for a variety of transit projects that are only used by a small segment of the county's population. In so doing, the critics of Proposition 400 say, revenue also ends up being spent yearly on transit system maintenance expenses. But supporters counter that the tax is vital to building and maintaining highways and roadways in one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. Earlier this year Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, speaking during her State of the City address, remarked: “Failure on Proposition 400 is not an option.” “An extension of the half-cent is necessary and county residents overwhelmingly agree,” continued Gallego. “Let’s get it on the ballot and get this done.” According to latest reports, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is said to be negotiating directly with legislative leaders in a move to secure passage of a bill authorizing a new sales tax vote. By Garry Boulard
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