Mayor Regina Romero touted the city's efforts to deal with social and economic ills in an "address to Tucsonans" on Tuesday, but said progress needs to continue despite what she calls a lack of support from the state and federal governments.
Romero gave the address during a special meeting of the Tucson City Council, following the swearing-in of the two newest council members, Ward 5's Selina Barajas and Ward 6's Miranda Schubert, and of Ward 3's Kevin Dahl for his second term.
Tucson's two newest council members, Ward 6's Miranda Schubert, left, and Ward 5's Selina Barajas, greet each other as they take their seats on stage during a special convening of the City Council at the Tucson Convention Center on Tuesday.
Romero told the crowd at the Tucson Convention Center the city has made "significant progress" over the past six years, since she was first elected, but still faces big challenges, like "an economy that too often works only for those at the top, a state Legislature that ignores our public schools and increasingly takes the burden away from big corporations," and a federal government that "is making life more unaffordable for working families by cutting access to health care, to SNAP benefits, to resources for housing."
But Tucson voters have "doubled-down on progressive, forward-thinking policies," the Democratic mayor said, pointing to efforts made by the City Council this year in transportation, climate action, parks and natural resources, among others.
Mayor Regina Romero speaks during a special meeting Tuesday of the City Council at the Tucson Convention Center. "Only together can we continue to build a community that strengthens neighborhoods, combats climate change, invests in our students, improves our infrastructure and builds a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits all of us," Romero said.
"Only together can we continue to build a community that strengthens neighborhoods, combats climate change, invests in our students, improves our infrastructure and builds a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits all of us," Romero said.
She said her vision for Tucson is "of a safe, just and sustainable city that provides economic opportunity for all Tucsonans."
Part of the city's state legislative agenda, a list of priorities the City Council hopes will gain traction in the Legislature, includes "removing state preemption of pursuing rent control legislation," an expansion of state-shared revenue funds for the city budget, and increases in state funding for areas such as homeless housing and service programs as well as substance abuse treatment services, among many other priorities.
Romero also called for the passage of RTA Next, a $2.67 billion, 20-year regional transportation plan up for a vote in March. It would be funded by a half-cent sales tax imposed across Pima County if approved. The sales tax for the current plan ends next year.
The latest version of the 20-year transportation plan includes about $1.42 billion in road projects, nearly $178 million in arterial rehabilitation for roads in poor condition, about $254.6 million included for safety and Americans with Disabilities Act projects, and $726 million for regional transit.
Additionally included in the plan is $257.6 million to complete seven remaining roadway projects included in the original RTA plan that voters passed in 2006, now called RTA 1, that were pushed back or delayed because of funding shortfalls.
Romero said Tucson needs to say "yes to investing in ourselves" and that the passage of RTA Next is the way to do it.
"Every great city has a great transportation system that provides multiple modes of safe and accessible transportation to all residents, whether you make your daily commute by foot, bike, bus or car. That is why I believe that the RTA next is an important step in transportation funding. We need to continue investing in ourselves and in our future," Romero said. "Passing the RTA next in March is crucial to the possibility of keeping a safe, free public transit system and lowering response times for our first responders, as well as increasing road safety."
