The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Robert Samuelson
Often on my daily errands, I would go out of my way to drive by one of the many RTA projects. I particularly enjoyed those projects that were game-changers for local residents, such as Twin Peaks, Wilmot Road, the Kolb Road bridge and extension, Huckelberry Loop, and the Modern Streetcar. It wasnβt part of my job, per se, but as the Chief Financial Officer of the Pima County RTA, a position I held for 14 years prior to my retirement, I felt it was important to see the projects take place. In finance, sometimes the work can be amorphous, but my drive-bys helped make the projects real to me.
During my time there, I was responsible for all financial matters related to the RTA, including audits and bonds. I attest that the RTA projects were accounted for accurately, and during my tenure, we consistently had clean audits with no findings. Furthermore, we were able to receive a bond rating upgrade, which is unusual and hard to achieve, resulting in more favorable bond financing. My staff and I worked hard to have clean books.
The recession of 2008 hurt tax revenues but also gave the RTA an opportunity to issue bonds at advantageous rates to accelerate project implementation, to put Pima County construction workers back to work, and to take advantage of a favorable bid environment. In 2011, 2014, and finally in 2017, we bonded for a total of $370 million to achieve this end. In addition, the Board took bold and prudent actions to commit more funds to the RTA to help make up the revenue shortfall. Most Pima County jurisdictions took advantage of this opportunity to start and finish their designated RTA projects ahead of schedule.
Even though the RTA has the authority to execute the projects directly, most RTA projects are completed through partnerships with the feds, state, and/or local jurisdictions. For projects that cross jurisdictional lines, one jurisdiction will take the βleadβ on the project through these mutual agreements. Itβs a model of regional cooperation that has worked well.
When I drive through Pima County today, I think about the 1,000 projects that we completed over the 20 years. Today, many of them are so integrated into our transportation routines that we have forgotten how it was before.
For example, most citizens in Corona de Tucson have long forgotten that the intersection of Sahuarita Road and Houghton was funded by the RTA β one of the RTAβs first completed projects. We expect to have bus pullouts throughout the community, all funded by the RTA. Furthermore, many folks have taken advantage of expanded bus service, particularly the night and weekend service.
It's important to understand why the RTA was important in 2006. At least in part, its genesis is a result of the failure of the Arizona Legislature and U.S. Congress to increase the state and federal gasoline tax. The gas tax has been the primary funding source for transportation since its inception in 1932. Historically, it was raised to keep up with inflation but since 1993, it has remained flat at 36.4 cents per gallon. In todayβs dollar, that 36.4 cents per gallon is only worth about 15 cents of purchasing power. Plus, if you consider the impact of more fuel-efficient vehicles and EVs, the impact of declining gas tax is even more pronounced. Funding from the RTA helped Pima County mitigate this legislative negligence.
While the RTA Next is not a perfect plan, it will implement another round of 1,000 projects. Just as the original RTA provided huge benefits to Pima County residents, RTA Next will do the same. Because of the continuing legislative inaction, local funding is increasingly important. We have a choice, ignore the transportation funding reality or take local responsibility of our own transportation enhancements. I support Propositions 418 and 419 and the additional $2.67 billion they will raise for local transportation improvements in Pima County.
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