Local opinion: Props 418, 419 are a real plan for District 1 and Pima County's economy

I represent one of the most politically balanced districts in Pima County. District 1 includes Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters in nearly equal measure. What unites them isn’t ideology. It’s a shared expectation that government deliver a strong economy, good jobs, and infrastructure that keeps our region competitive.

The district is home to working families, small businesses, growing employment centers, and critical transportation corridors that connect Pima County to the rest of Arizona. My constituents don’t ask for partisan solutions. They ask for results.

That’s why I support Propositions 418 and 419.

These measures are about economic competitiveness, business attraction, and keeping Pima County moving. Transportation infrastructure is one of the first factors employers consider when deciding where to invest. If we fail to keep pace with growth, we lose jobs, opportunity and momentum to other regions.

For District 1, Propositions 418 and 419 deliver tangible, performance-based improvements that reflect current traffic patterns and future growth.

Under the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan, projects have been modernized to focus on safety, efficiency, and multimodal access. For example, First Avenue between Orange Grove and Ina will be upgraded as a modern three-lane roadway with bicycle, pedestrian, and drainage improvements, delivering mobility benefits without unnecessary widening.

The plan also includes critical investments, including new and reconstructed interchanges along I-10, improvements to key corridors such as Thornydale, Lambert, Orange Grove, and Ina, and new roadway connections that improve safety and regional access.

District 1 also plays a vital role in regional connectivity. RTA Next allows jurisdictions to plan transportation as a coordinated network, ensuring residents can reach job centers, schools, recreation areas, and the airport. In communities like Oro Valley, where most residents commute out, and most workers commute in each day, transportation planning cannot stop at city limits.

Importantly, RTA investments in District 1 leverage significant outside funding. Improvements along I-10 unlock nearly $500 million in Arizona Department of Transportation investment, multiplying the impact of local dollars and strengthening the region’s ability to compete for federal grants.

RTA Next also funds everyday transportation needs that often receive less attention but matter deeply to residents. The plan supports bike and pedestrian improvements, intersection safety projects, and long-term pavement rehabilitation. It continues funding for transit and dial-a-ride services that connect seniors, people with disabilities, and working families to medical care, jobs, and essential services.

The plan also provides flexibility for the future. Beginning in 2031, additional regional funding will allow jurisdictions, including unincorporated areas, to propose new projects as needs evolve, ensuring the system can adapt over time.

These investments matter because infrastructure is economic policy. Reliable transportation lowers costs for businesses, shortens commutes, and makes sites viable for development. When infrastructure falls behind growth, employers look elsewhere, and once they do, they rarely return.

Some argue that rejecting Propositions 418 and 419 would save money. In reality, letting the RTA expire does not eliminate the need for roads. It only removes the most effective, coordinated tool we have to pay for them. The result is lost buying power today and higher local costs tomorrow.

RTA Next is designed to deliver more value for every dollar, with clear oversight and fewer political pressures. The RTA provides financing and accountability, while local jurisdictions deliver projects, ensuring the plan voters approve is the plan that gets built.

Without the RTA, there is no comparable alternative. Each jurisdiction would be forced to pursue its own funding approach, reducing coordination and weakening the region’s ability to secure state and federal transportation dollars. This would be a special burden for District 1, which is mostly unincorporated.

As a representative of a politically diverse district, I take fiscal responsibility seriously. Propositions 418 and 419 do not raise the tax rate. They provide certainty, accountability, and a responsible path forward for maintaining the infrastructure our economy depends on.

Pima County can invest strategically and remain competitive or allow our transportation system to fall behind. For District 1 and for our regional economy, the choice is clear. I urge voters to support Propositions 418 and 419.