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Originally Posted by TakeFive
Apparently I felt compelled to show my ignorance (lack of knowledge).
Someone, I think it was muertecaza had indicated that the current iteration of the tax set aside like 1/3 for transit so I just decided to assume that the original version (partly due to Chris comment) also allocated some money for transit.
Curious then prior to 2006 how was metro transit funded? Did the cities involved just kick in a share?
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Here's my understanding:
In 1985, Maricopa County voters passed Proposition 300, which was exclusively for freeway construction.
In 2004, Maricopa County voters passed Proposition 400. It renewed the Proposition 300 tax, which was about to sunset, but also re-allocated funds so that about a third would go to transit.
Those taxes, often referred to as "regional funds," are only part of the picture, however. There are also funds at the city level:
In 2000, Phoenix voters approved a transit referendum. That victory had the immediate effect of expanding bus service and, coupled with a similar vote a few years earlier in Tempe, provided the impetus to build light rail.
In 2015, Phoenix voters approved a transit referendum that extended and increased the 2000 tax, resulting in even more bus improvements and the prospect of building more light rail lines.
Relating this to the "Fright Rail" piece, the author's claim that the 1985 vote led to today's light rail is not correct in terms of funding the specific mode of transit involved, but if his intent was to say that the 1985 vote accustomed local residents to paying a dedicated tax for transportation, then I guess it could be seen as a distant precursor to the city and county taxes now in place 33 years later.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TakeFive
Any route to Paradise Valley was like out there, not on anybody's time radar, maybe 2035? How does money out that far help with an 'immediate' need for road maintenance?
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It doesn't. That's why even after raiding rail, the council still has to borrow against future revenues for accelerated street maintenance.