By Jason W. Brooks | Your Valley
While a compromise on Maricopa County’s transportation funding announced earlier this month doesn’t give all interested parties everything they wanted, the Chandler mayor and another key player seem pleased.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill into law Aug. 1 that allows Maricopa County voters to decide on extending a half-cent sales tax for transportation projects. While that sets up a fight at the ballot box — presumably in a 2024 special election called by the county’s Board of Supervisors — proponents of the compromise and the past Proposition 400 program seem happy about the transportation spending the potential tax would fund.
The Maricopa Association of Governments monitored negotiations between the governor and the Arizona Legislature after Hobbs vetoed an initial legislative bill in June.
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke is vice chair of MAG’s Regional Council. He told the Chandler Independent that business growth is a big key to success for Valley cities, such as Chandler, though a transportation network has to work for all partners.
“One of my priorities for the past four years has been to make sure that every city and every voter receives value from this sales tax extension,” Hartke said. “I believe this plan accomplishes that goal.”
