Good news. Cooler heads finally prevailed, and the legislature passed a measure last week that will allow Prop 400 on to the ballot in Maricopa County in the fall of 2024. Maricopa County is the only county that needs legislative approval to get their transport tax on to the ballot. It’d kind of a weird story. If you’re interested read this piece: Why Maricopa County’s Prop. 400 transit tax needs OK from Legislature
The measure is a compromise between various factions in the legislature – mainly the Dems and a few of the more centrist Republicans.
The measure will basically ask voters in Maricopa County to continue Proposition 400, a half-cent transportation tax that funds roads and public transportation. (See Senate Bill 1102). The tax funds street and highway projects, along with public transportation.
The money distribution ($24B over 20 years) is as follows: 40.5% allocated to freeways and highways, 37% to public transit and 22.5% to roads and intersections. It includes specific language saying that pot of money can’t be used to build new light rail lines. It also makes sure there won’t be a new light rail station or line around the Capitol.