RTA Next (Props 418 & 419) in Pima County: Roads, Trust, and What Voters Are Deciding
RTA Next (Props 418 & 419): Roads, Trust, and What Voters Are Really Deciding in Pima County
As Pima County voters consider Propositions 418 and 419, the conversation is about more than a half-cent sales tax extension. It’s about roads, transit, maintenance, fiscal trust — and how transportation dollars are managed long-term.
Below is a balanced, community-focused look at the key questions many voters are weighing.
What 418 and 419 Actually Do
- Prop 418 approves the 20-year RTA Next transportation project plan.
- Prop 419 continues the existing 0.5% regional transportation sales tax.
- The tax rate does not increase.
- Both must pass for the plan to move forward.
If they fail, the existing RTA tax expires in 2026.
Expansion vs. Maintenance: Two Different Funding Conversations
One of the biggest sources of confusion comes down to this distinction:
RTA funds capital projects — not routine road maintenance.
RTA dollars are typically used for:
- Major corridor reconstruction
- Road widening
- Transit expansion
- Safety improvements
- Wildlife crossings
- Multimodal upgrades
They are not used for:
- Filling potholes
- Neighborhood resurfacing
- Routine pavement maintenance
Routine maintenance is funded primarily through HURF (Highway User Revenue Fund) and related state-shared revenues. Many voters blend these two funding streams emotionally — even though they function differently.
The HURF & VLT Debate
Some voters are frustrated because they believe:
Pima County uses too much of its HURF and VLT revenue on salaries and administrative costs rather than directly maintaining roads.
Supporters of the County often respond:
- Engineering and inspection staff are required to build and maintain roads.
- Gas tax revenue (18¢ per gallon since 1991) has lost purchasing power due to inflation.
- Fuel efficiency and electric vehicles reduce revenue per mile driven.
- Construction costs have risen faster than inflation.
Critics counter:
- Total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) have increased.
- Population growth has increased total revenue.
- Pavement conditions have still declined.
- Budget prioritization may be the real issue.
Both arguments contain elements of truth. The deeper issue is public confidence in how transportation dollars are allocated — and whether outcomes match expectations.
Sahuarita / Green Valley Concerns
Residents in southern Pima County often note:
- Fewer large corridor projects appear to be located in their immediate area compared to Tucson or Oro Valley.
- Local road maintenance can feel inconsistent.
- Transit usage is relatively low compared to the urban core.
While RTA Next includes improvements such as work on Pima Mine Road and La Villita Road (along with regional transit support), the perception remains that tax contributions can feel larger than the visible benefit.
Perception matters in public policy — because it shapes trust.
Road Diets: Fact vs. Fear
Another concern raised is whether RTA Next includes “road diets” — removing travel lanes in favor of bike lanes or transit.
Most southern county projects are widenings, not reductions. Some urban Tucson corridors may include multimodal reconfigurations, but there is no broad countywide plan to eliminate vehicle lanes.
Still, voters worry that reducing lanes in auto-dependent areas could worsen congestion if transit ridership doesn’t increase. That concern depends heavily on traffic volumes and corridor design.
The Trust Question
At its core, this debate isn’t just about asphalt.
It’s about trust.
Some voters believe:
- Continuing the existing RTA structure keeps transportation funds regionally governed.
- The tax does not increase.
- Stability is preferable to uncertainty.
- Letting the tax expire could lead to fragmented or politically reactive alternatives.
Others believe:
- A 20-year extension locks in leadership they don’t fully trust.
- Maintenance issues should be addressed before approving expansion.
- Letting it expire forces reform and reevaluation.
Reasonable people can land on different sides of that equation.
Could the County Impose Its Own Tax Without a Vote?
Concerns have been raised that if RTA fails, the County could attempt to create a new countywide transportation sales tax through board action.
Under Arizona law, long-term transportation excise taxes typically require voter approval. While counties do have certain taxing authorities, imposing a broad 20-year transportation sales tax without a public vote would likely face legal and political challenges.
In practical terms, a large countywide transportation tax without voter approval would be highly controversial and legally constrained.
What Voters Are Actually Deciding
This election isn’t just about 0.5%.
It’s about:
- Whether regional transportation planning should continue in its current form
- Whether long-term capital expansion is appropriate given maintenance frustrations
- Whether governance structures inspire confidence
- Whether stability is preferable to a reset
There are legitimate concerns about pavement conditions. There are legitimate arguments about declining real gas-tax revenue. There are legitimate questions about administrative costs. There are legitimate infrastructure needs.
The decision ultimately comes down to risk tolerance and trust.
A Practical Way to Think About It
Ask yourself:
- Do you believe regional capital projects are necessary?
- Do you believe the RTA governance structure provides accountability?
- Do you believe letting the tax expire would lead to a better outcome?
- Do you believe maintenance concerns are separate from RTA funding?
Clear answers to those questions will likely determine your vote more than campaign messaging will.
Transportation policy is rarely simple. But thoughtful voters deserve a full picture — not just slogans.
Whatever position you take, make it informed.
And vote.
Note: This post is intended for community education and discussion. It does not endorse any candidate or political party.
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