Pinal County voters reauthorize transportation tax by a wide margin

Pinal County voters in the November 8 election passed Proposition 400, the extension of the half-cent transportation tax originally approved in 1986. The sales tax will be used to fund county road construction without raising taxes. It was approved by a margin of three to one.

According to the Pinal County Elections Department’s web site, by 9:16 p.m. all 67 precincts had reported, with a total of 12,243 votes cast or 13.1% of all registered voters in the county. The “yes” votes totaled 9,027 or 73.73%. There were 3,216 “no” votes or 26.27%.

At Maricopa’s voting site located at the Justice Court on Garvey Avenue, precinct workers had logged 107 voters by 5 p.m. “We’re hoping for a larger crowd after people get off work tonight,” explained worker Kathy Paulsen.

Assisting voters were precinct workers (left to right) Betty Daugherty, Kathy Paulsen, Delores Rodriguez and Shirlene Sampson. (Not pictured are Leona Kakar and Garry Wilmeth.)

JIm Sarvary points out the various voting precincts to a voter.

During the past 20 years over 361 miles of streets and highways have been surfaced using revenues the tax generated. The previous excise tax expires at the end of 2006; today’s “yes” vote reauthorizes that tax, beginning on January 1, 2007, and lasting for 20 years.

Proposition 400 is anticipated to generate nearly $951 million dollars to be used for countywide transportation projects. Pinal County will realize 60% of that amount while the other 40% will be distributed to cities and towns in the county.

Maricopa Mayor Kelly Anderson stated in Proposition 400’s publicity pamphlet, “This is a countywide tax so Maricopa will benefit. As we approach the 100,000 population mark, Maricopa can expect to receive $5.5 million a year from this tax.”