Lawsuit Challenges Maricopa County Transportation Tax

The Maricopa County Republican Committee has filed a lawsuit challenging the approval of Proposition 479, a transportation sales tax extension that received 59.83% of the vote, arguing it required a minimum of 60% to pass due to a 2022 constitutional amendment. The county plans to seek dismissal of the lawsuit, asserting that Proposition 132's supermajority requirement applies only to statewide initiatives and not local measures like Prop. 479. Supporters of the tax argue the lawsuit is misguided and could jeopardize $14.9 billion in funding for critical transportation infrastructure over the next 20 years. Legal precedents from a Cochise County case suggest that the supermajority requirement does not apply to local tax measures. The lawsuit raises questions about voters' intent and the interpretation of tax legislation in Arizona, as county officials emphasize the economic benefits of the transportation tax. The outcome of the case could significantly impact Maricopa County's infrastructure funding and economic development initiatives.