City of Phoenix Wastes Billions on Light Rail & Neglects Shoddy Roads

by admin | Jun 6, 2019 | Misc, News and Updates

For years city politicians, developers and contractors have misled voters on the waste and damage created by the multi-billion-dollar expansion of light rail. They have concealed the true cost of light rail from voters in previous transportation measures by tying light rail to street improvements and other popular transit projects, hoping that the facts would not be exposed until it is too late.

Currently 40% of Phoenix’s transportation tax revenue is dedicated to light rail, even though only 1% of Phoenix residents regularly use the system. And despite billions being spent on promoting and expanding light rail, ridership is in rapid decline. Last year alone 800,000 fewer people used light rail, and there will be fewer riders using the system this year.

The City’s own transportation department has determined that over 70% of Phoenix roads are in substandard condition and will require billions to repair. This street maintenance deficit can be paid for with the dollars freed up by ending the expansion of light rail.

The billions saved by stopping the expansion of light rail could be used to fix city streets and sidewalks, expand bus and dial-a-ride service, improve lighting and get Phoenix’s transportation system on the right path.

There are much better alternatives than light rail, yet Phoenix leaders seem determined to throw more money at a boondoggle that is costly, inefficient, and drains the city’s transportation budget. Phoenix taxpayers deserve better than this.

Voters Will Finally Get a Say on Future of Light Rail in Phoenix

by admin | Nov 29, 2018 | Misc, News and Updates

A group of Phoenix residents and business owners successfully submitted over 40,000 signatures to the city clerk yesterday to refer an initiative to the ballot to end the $1 Billion construction of future light rail projects.  The committee held a press conference to mark the momentous achievement.

After the city of Phoenix railroaded citizens of South Phoenix by  pushing plans of a light rail extension on Central Ave that would reduce the number of traffic lanes from four to two, a grassroots effort emerged to beat back the disastrous plan.

Since community opposition began to coalesce in April of this year, the group has successfully stormed city hall, held community forums that reached thousands of residents, and stalled the 2-lane project on Central.

Their latest efforts were bolstered by support from residents and business owners throughout the city who would also be negatively affected by the expansion of light rail near them.

Building a Better Phoenix (BBP) put the City, the Federal Transit Administration, and Valley Metro on notice to cease any further funding or construction of light rail projects until the citizens have a chance to vote on the initiative, which will likely be in May or August.

This is a true David and Goliath story as the citizens’ group will likely be outspent 10:1 by the light rail and construction lobby.  But facts are on their side.   Instead of spending 40 percent of the city’s transportation revenues on light rail which serves less than 1 percent of the population, BBP would divert the money to be used for infrastructure improvements, including roads and bus service, which alleviates congestion.

A lot will ride on the success of the upcoming campaign, especially for South Phoenix who will experience certain gentrification of their neighborhoods, increased crime and homelessness in their community, and inaccessibility of emergency services with the 2-lane configuration.

The City of Phoenix is in desperate need of infrastructure improvements.  Their roads are riddled with potholes and many are falling into complete disrepair.  Especially in South Phoenix, many bus stops lack proper shading, long stretches of road are without sidewalk, and residents complain of poor lighting.  Light rail has long been a rat hole of the taxpayers’ finances while also being ineffective at increasing mobility or convenience to residents.  If the BBP initiative passes, money will be able to be diverted to higher priority challenges and more directly serve the citizens and businesses of Phoenix.

We hope the taxpayers of Phoenix will take this golden opportunity to hold city hall accountable and pass this historic initiative.

City of Phoenix Stops Wasting Money on the Arizona League of Cities and Towns

by admin | Nov 21, 2018 | Misc, News and Updates

Recently the City of Phoenix did something shockingly out of character.  They made a good financial decision.

Two weeks ago the city council voted 7-1 to end their membership with the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.  The League is an organization that depends on taxpayer money to hire lobbyists to persuade Arizona lawmakers to pass or defeat bills often contrary to taxpayer interests.  At $145,000 a year, the City of Phoenix represented the largest single membership of the League.

Several of the council members cited the ineffectiveness of the League as their reason for their exit.  Although it is likely that the City will simply use the money to hire more internal or contract lobbyists, the vote was still monumental as Phoenix has been a member of the League for over 80 years.

The City of Phoenix’ decision will be a significant signal to other Arizona cities and towns and may spur other local councils to weigh their investment in the organization.

The practice of local municipalities enriching lobbyists to fight for more government authorities and against good reforms that benefit taxpayers is common place.  Just three years ago, the Club did independent research into just how much cities were wasting on lobbying activity.   But the costs aren’t just monetary.  Every year, dozens of bills are introduced at the legislature that promise important protections for taxpayers in the way of property rights, economic liberty and free speech.  And each year dozens of city lobbyists work to ensure their defeat.

Though the City of Phoenix’ decision to remove itself from a big organization that solely exists to fight for more government might not have been philosophic – it does represent a win for taxpayers.  Hopefully more cities will take their lead; at least on this decision.