The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Erica Yngve
I’m writing again as a small business owner and resident of Southern Arizona who believes RTA Next (Props 418 and 419) is a local investment we must make ourselves, because no one else is going to do it for us.
There is no dedicated state funding waiting in the wings to replace the Regional Transportation Authority. Tucson transportation officials are clear: if RTA Next fails, there is an immediate funding gap. City leaders have warned that rejecting these propositions would leave ~$10 million in annual shortfall for transit inside Tucson alone, with additional losses countywide, forcing backfilling from already strained general funds.
There is also no realistic expectation of federal funds. Federal transportation dollars generally require local matching funds, and without a stable regional revenue source like the RTA, Southern Arizona simply becomes less competitive for grants. Business and construction leaders have warned that funding gaps risk stranding projects midstream and losing federal matches entirely. If we want functional infrastructure, we must invest in it ourselves.
That context matters because Southern Arizona is already navigating real economic pressures. One clear example is our persistent lag behind the rest of Arizona in economic and job growth. Between 2001 and 2023, Arizona’s economy grew by ~ 30%, while the Tucson metropolitan area grew closer to 20%, which is well behind Phoenix and many peer Sun Belt regions. This gap did not happen by chance; it reflects long‑term challenges tied to access to jobs, mobility, and sustained investment.
That is exactly why RTA Next matters. While many of our broader economic challenges stem from deeply embedded systemic issues (and will take years or decades to meaningfully reverse), RTA Next offers something increasingly rare: improvements that are clear, achievable, and felt within a reasonable timeframe. Roads are rebuilt. Transit routes are preserved and expanded. Freight, workers, students, and customers can move more reliably throughout the region. These are practical, tangible outcomes that directly support daily life and economic activity across Southern Arizona.
I’ve seen this firsthand. With the original RTA plan, my own neighborhood and the surrounding area were meaningfully improved. Entire stretches of roadway were fully rehabilitated. The new plan includes improvements near my business. That matters when you rely on deliveries, customers, and employees being able to reach you safely and on time.
For those pushing a “no” vote because they’re frustrated with the potholes near their home or workplace: I hear you. But I would urge you to look closely at the RTA Next project list and understand jurisdictional responsibilities. There is a strong likelihood you will see real improvements where you live and work over the life of this plan, just as many of us did under the previous one.
It’s also worth noting how unusually broad the support is for this investment. In a deeply polarized political climate, both the Chamber of Southern Arizona (an organization traditionally skeptical of taxes) and Tucson’s mayor (a more progressive voice) support RTA Next. That kind of bipartisan alignment is rare and should prompt all of us to take a closer look at what’s being proposed and why.
This isn’t a tax increase, but a continuation of the existing half‑cent sales tax to avoid a funding cliff. It’s important to understand that voting for only one proposition will not work. Both Proposition 418 (the plan) and Proposition 419 (the funding) must pass for the investment to move forward. Voting “no” on either one or both is not a win against “the system”; it simply leaves Southern Arizona without a regional transportation plan for decades.
RTA Next took more than two years to develop, with public input and coordination across cities, the county, towns, tribes, and state agencies. Rejecting it now means choosing stagnation over investing in our region's future.
This vote affects our entire region and our shared future. For our infrastructure, our economic viability, and small businesses like mine, I urge voters to look at the big picture and invest in ourselves by voting YES on both Props 418 and 419.
Ballots begin mailing Feb. 11, Election Day is March 10, 2026.
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