Proposition 400 Op Ed Support
Daily News Sun, 10.22.04
Passed by Voters in November 2004

By Diane Brossart, President, Valley Forward Association

Valley Forward Association fully supports the regional transportation plan developed by the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Transportation Policy Committee and encourages the Arizona State Legislature to leave the plan intact, and to pass enabling legislation that would facilitate a May 18 public vote on the proposal.

It is impressive and important that this balanced, multi-modal transportation plan was developed through an inclusive process that involved all of the communities that it will impact. The plan was also subject to thoughtful public dialogue and air quality conformance testing. Then, it was unanimously approved by the very coalition established by the Legislature to deal with the Valley’s transportation challenges.

The plan offers a balanced solution that provides for the transportation needs of everyone. It includes freeways and highways, transit, street improvements and other programs to reduce travel and improve air quality, such as bicycle projects and pedestrian facilities. However, transportation initiatives are rarely without opposition. That Valley mayors, representing diverse geographic regions within our metropolitan area, joined hands with a group of concerned business leaders to reach unanimous consensus on the MAG TPC plan speaks volumes for this effort.

We must now work together as a region to support passage of the plan in its current form. It is clear that we cannot pave our way out of congestion, and must embrace alternatives to the automobile. Maricopa County is experiencing unprecedented increases in population, and our current system cannot keep pace. If we do not act now, congestion will cause severe quality of life problems later.

The half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 will expire in 2005. Funding may come to an abrupt ending, but it’s clear that growth and development will not. More and more newcomers will continue to flock to the Valley at record rates. The proposed $16 billion, 20-year tax extension will provide a lifeline for continued investments in our regional transportation system. It will facilitate completion of a multi-modal system that includes much-needed freeways, light rail, buses and arterial streets.

Valley Forward strongly supports an extension of the half-cent sales tax for transportation. We urge the Arizona State Legislature to pass the enabling legislation to place the issue on the ballot for a public vote on May 18. And, we encourage Maricopa County voters to act now to support the regional transportation plan developed by the MAG TPC.

Our 34-year-old public interest organization represents 250 companies, both large and small, as well as most municipalities in Maricopa County and other government agencies. The common denominator among our diverse membership is an interest in improving the environment and quality of life in Valley communities. We believe transportation is the single most important issue now facing our growing metropolitan area.

As historic advocates of a balanced, multi-modal transportation system for our region, Valley Forward worked diligently to pass the 1985 sales tax for transportation. We will continue our advocacy to extend the existing tax to build out the system. And, we encourage all Valley residents to do the same. (Go back)