Phoenix voters, by 55 percent according to preliminary results, chose to increase their sales tax from .4 to .7 percent on Tuesday, continuing until 2051 to pay for $17 billion in transportation improvements.
Overcoming Republican opposition, "Phoenix voters approved a major boost in transportation funding for new light rail lines, bus expansion and street improvements over the next several decades in Tuesday's election," writes Brenna Goth for The Republic (AZCentral.com).
About 35,000 votes have yet to be counted, or about 26 percent of the total ballots cast. Another update won't come until Friday, according to the City Clerk Department. [Check election results here.]
The measure will triple Valley Metro light rail mileage, as noted here earlier.
The city-only measure [PDF], mistakenly described as a Maricopa County measure here earlier, was an affirmation of support for Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a staunch advocate of Prop 104, and the city council.
“This is a great night for the future of the city of Phoenix,” Stanton said, referring to the Prop 104 victory. The Democratic mayor, who was also on the ballot, won a second term in a landslide, reports The Republic's Dustin Gardiner,
"Phoenix’s sales tax rate is 8.3 percent and will increase to 8.6 percent Jan. 1 with the transit tax increase," adds Goth.
Read the full story: Phoenix voters pass Prop. 104 transit tax
Phoenix Sales Tax Measure Key to County's Transit Future
On August 25, voters in Phoenix and Maricopa County will determine the outcome of Proposition 104, a transportation sales tax measure that would raise $17 billion for a wide variety of transportation improvements, including extended light rail.
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