Phoenix's transit tax, Transit 2000, will expire in 2020. City leaders have prepared a 30-year plan for transportation to sell the idea of a renewed sales tax. Now taxpayers will have to decide if it’s the right kind of list for the city's future.
"Months of work have gone into developing the 30-year plan of projects and services that could be funded by extending and nearly doubling a current sales tax," report Brenna Goth. "The plan received a recommendation this week from the Citizens Committee on the Future of Phoenix Transportation and will go to the City Council later this month."
So far, the new transit tax would fund the following, listed directly from Goth's coverage:
- All of the city's current services.
- New RAPID and circulator bus services.
- Light-rail routes that are already approved, including connecting current lines to Metrocenter Mall and the Capitol
- New transit connections, including connecting Metrocenter Mall to ASU West.
- Shaded bus stops for heat protection.
- Reloadable cards to pay your fare.
- Accessibility and security improvements.
- Street improvements.
Goth's reporting also provides an in-depth look at how Transit 2000 fell short of its goals and how much of the new tax could potentially fill that gap.
FULL STORY: Light rail, streetcar focus of proposed Phoenix sales tax
Arizona Governor Vetoes Phoenix-Area Transportation Tax Vote, Shocking Local Leaders
Arizona state law requires Maricopa County to request approval from the state before it can send a transportation tax to the voters for approval.
Transit Spending on the Ballot in Seattle and Washington
Voters in the city of Seattle will consider a sales tax to fund bus transit service, while voters around the state of Washington will have a chance to send new leaders to Congress.
Colorado Voters to Decide How to Fund Roads on Election Day
Two transportation bonding initiatives will appear on the ballot on Nov. 6: A $3.5 billion measure would have debt repayments come from the general fund, while a $6 billion initiative would create a revenue stream by hiking sales taxes.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service