City of Tucson moves forward with special election this May, bringing opportunity to fund safer streets

Future of RTA reauthorization still unclear, but Tucson moving forward with its own initiative to start funding transportation priorities voiced by Tucsonans

In January we reported on some major transportation funding decisions being considered related to RTA Next (the renewal of the region’s 1/2 cent sales tax to fund transportation project) and the City of Tucson’s Prop 101, which was on track to sunset mid-2022.

On January 27th, PAG (Pima Association of Governments) Regional Council met. LSA spoke to the need for equitable representation on the council during the call to audience and you can read a transcript of it here. At the end of the day, the current voting structure remained intact, however a couple of modifications were made to committee structures as a gesture of increased transparency and representation for Tucson voters. This article gives an overview of the outcomes.

On February 1st Tucson Mayor Romero and City Council agreed to stay involved in the RTA Next planning process, but meantime made a unanimous decision to move forward with holding a special election to reauthorize the City’s current 1/2 cent sales tax. Proposition 411 will be on the ballot in May giving Tucsonans the opportunity to direct their taxes to fund the resurfacing of neighborhood streets and install traffic safety improvements. 

About Proposition 411

Proposition 411 with extend Tucson’s current 1/2 cent sales tax for another ten years, generating an estimated $740 million. 80% of revenues will go toward repaving and resurfacing of residential streets while 20% will go toward specific investments to enhance safety on Tucson’s streets. (Visit the City of Tucson’s website to read the ordinance.)

Projects included in the 20% category can directly from MoveTucson, the City’s new Mobility Master Plan, which was informed by robust community engagement and input. The category will include investments in sidewalks, street lighting, traffic signal modifications, traffic calming, and more, as a way to start funding the transportation needs identified through Tucsonans through MoveTucson.

You can click on the link below to see LSA’s official statement in support of Proposition 411.