PHOENIX — Voters have dealt a resounding defeat to an effort to kill expansion of the Phoenix light rail system.
In unofficial results as of 10 p.m. local time Tuesday night, 62.4 percent of those voting had cast ballots against Proposition 105, which would have prohibited “using any funds from any source for the construction, development, extension or expansion of, or improvement to, any light rail or fixed rail transit system.”
The ballot initiative had grown out of opposition to a planned extension to south Phoenix of the light rail, led by businesses concerned that a major street would be decreased from four lanes of traffic to two.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego hailed the result on Twitter, saying “This election was about what we want our city to be. Residents broke records when they showed up in mass and declared they want robust transportation options …. Light rail expansion is not stopping — not today, not tomorrow.”
In a statement, Paul P. Skoutelas, president and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association, called the result a “monumental day at the ballot box” for Phoenix.
“Congratulations to the forward-thinking residents of Phoenix, who voted to ensure that their light rail system can expand to better serve the transit needs of a rapidly growing city looking to the future,” Skoutelas said. “Phoenix made it resoundingly clear to the naysayers that light rail is essential to their economy and their community. … APTA remains committed to fighting at the local, state and federal levels to improve and expand public transit options.”
— Updated at 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 28 with comment from APTA president and CEO Paul Skoutelas.
This was about a Four mile stretch of track that would have ended the entire system.
I live in Peoria but spent most of my life in Phoenix.
And George, we are never going to get it. I used to love going down Broadway to see the Pearl trolley just to get a fix, but you know, we haven’t been able to do that for a long time now.
I mean who wants to stand out in the summer heat in Phoenix waiting for a streetcar that is stuck in traffic when they can simply go from their air conditioned house or apartment to their air conditioned car parked in a garage and travel to their air conditioned work place. Yeah, I may have to wait in traffic too but at least I am with either myself or friends and family listening to my own music rather than sitting or standing next to a stranger who has who knows what disease or intent. I think most of those who voted for more public transit did so hoping other people would ride it so they could have an easier drive. They have no intention of using the streetcars themselves.
To Anna Harding and Charles Landey: Thank you for your support!!
Also Anna relating to a previous post concerning acceptance or cash by the LIRR, I brought your answer to a lawyer friend who didn’t have an answer when I asked him, he agreed with your assessment. Thank you for your response. I learned something valuable unlike most of what I learn these days.
As a general rule, measure to slow traffic help business on those routes. There is solid documented evidence that substituting bike paths for parking help local business. And certainly there is a long history of failed business in the wake of new bypasses (though that is a somewhat different situation). I’d have to guess that removing a lane of traffic and adding better public transit would be business positive by a significant degree.
The people have spoken and I am glad they chose to move in a way to improve the choices people will have available in getting around.
Those who supported this bill would be happy here in San Antonio the largest city in the country with no rail based local transportation.
Smart move by the voters. America is being controlled by right wing special interest groups who are ruining the country.
Mr. McGuire you’re a loyal & true disciple of the Koch Bros. Glad to see the residents of Phoenix are not being duped by the Dark money misinformation.
The taxpayers and residents of Phoenix will live to regret this decision. Their taxes will skyrocket and traffic congestion will increase exponentially. Those residents and businesses that can get out should do so NOW. Those fighting public transit should continue the good fight and some day they will win.
The defeat of Proposition 105 is a splendid return of the ballots. Now, Phoenix can remain in the 21st century instead of reverting to the mid-20th century.
Kudos to the Phoenix voters for putting the kibosh on the Koch clan.
Good job Phoenix.
With a middle of the street, traffic blocking system designed in the early 1900s
The voters “ taxpayers” have spoken and that’s the American way is it not? It looks like no matter how some folks on this site hate it, there are some cities in this country that are forward thinking. And I seriously doubt that they will regret their decision nor will their children.
Good grief! I never thought of it that way! Public transport as a curse on our municipalities! I am coming to realize how much Boston, for example, would be improved if the T were to close down the Green Line next Saturday night. And Washington! Just think of the possibilities!
PS Anna Harding, I love ya (in a purely platonic way, of course)!
No Galen, I don’t call anyone who disagrees with me a Communist. The only person I’ve called a communist in my various posts is NYC mayor Bill deBlasio. He is a communist.
The Koch brothers were not (are not) extreme right wingers. Certain of their views are (were) to the center of my own. I call myself a mainline conservative and that goes overall for the Koch Brothers as well. They dared to stand up to the dominant left wing viewpoint that runs this country – people like Mark Zuckerburg, Michael Bloomberg, Elon Musk, and from there far to the left the left-wing lunatics who run our schools and are university and many of our churches (my own included – Roman Catholic). The Koch Brothers were/ are outstanding people and a credit to this nation.
I don’t agree with Kochism on a number of issues. I’m well to their left on public transportation, somewhat to their right on abortion. In no way would I call them extreme right wingers. They were/are thoroughly decent moderates.
BTW FWIW I began this thread by hoping for a “NO VOTE” in Phoenix, so I disagree on this one issue with the conservative Mr. Robert McGuire and I agree, on this one issue, with the liberal side of our forum members…..
Love, respect, consciousness,
C. N. L.
Brookfield Township, Wisconsin
The counterpoise to Phoenix is the Nashville vote, or, transit-wise, you win some, you……..
Charles….LMAO!!! Anyone who disagrees with you is a “Commie” I don’t like to get off topic but the Koch’s are Outstanding at undermining our political system & misinforming the public with their fortune.. they’re of that ilk.
It would be nice if some of you knew that some of the money to defeat 105 came from those same Koch bros. that you vilify, maybe not specifically from them, but I did read that some of their PAC’s provided money to the NO people. You see, they’re not as bad as you make them out to be, and yes, indirectly some of their businesses could benefit from increased transit spending.
Turnout was very low, being that the city officials sneakily put the election on an August holiday week. Also NO meant you wanted to spend more on light snail, and YES meant you wanted the money to be diverted to fixing streets and buses instead.
Galen I would be proiud to be labeled a disciple of the Koch Brothers Charles and (R.I.P.) David, Outstanding American thinkers and philanthropists and political activists who I generally agree with and some times don’t. They are American citizens expressing their viewpointr, something that seems to bother your ilk. If you don’t like that go live in North Korea.
As long as airways and highways are lavishly funded by the taxpayer God speed to transit nationwide!
Mister Riley:
Good Sir. While I frequently do not agree with the views expressed by Robert McGuire they are his views and he has every right to air them on this forum, same as all the rest of us. Please save the ad hominem attacks for the Senatorial Cloakroom. Thank you.
The above comments are generic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. I am also not Jerusalem Slim.