Proposition 400

by Nick Coons
Sep 22, 2004

So what is Proposition 400 really all about? There seems to be some confusion on this, even among some of the "experts" who are leading campaigns for and against this item that will be on November 2nd's ballot.

Back in 1985, Maricopa County taxpayers voted to increase sales tax by half a cent, and that this increase would last 20 years. So at this point, this sales tax increase will expire in December of 2005. This tax increase was put into place to fund the freeways that now provide us fairly easy access around the entire valley. If prop 400 passes, it will extend this half-cent tax for another 20 years as to continue to help with transportation needs.

What's so bad about that? If 400 passes, sales tax will not be affected. This money will still be used for valley freeways, streets, and soon will be used for the new light rail system. More specifically, it will generate about $15.8 billion over the next 20 years to be used in creating or improving 344 miles of freeway, 275 miles of surface streets, an expanded regional bus system, and 27 miles of light rail. This 27 miles is in addition to the 19 miles that Phoenix and Tempe have already begun creating. A "no" vote on prop 400 will not stop the light-rail from being built.

So why are there those that are opposing this proposition? I have no idea, really. Most of them are against the light rail system. However, 400 won't affect whether or not the light rail is built -- It's going to be built anyway. And the biggest chunk of these funds will be used to continue expanding our freeways and relieve congestion as the population of the Phoenix Metro area continues to increase.

Those opposing prop 400 say that they'd rather draft a new bill putting all of the money towards the freeways, and that a light rail system is an old form of transportation that no one will use. On the contrary, most other metropolitan areas that have installed light rail systems have had outstanding success with those systems.

For a variety of transportation options and the ability to drive on our freeways in the future without turning them into parking lots, you'll want to vote "yes" on Proposition 400.