Title
Update on Momentum 2050 and the Extension of Proposition 400
Description
This report provides an update on the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan and Proposition 400.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
As required by federal law, metropolitan planning organizations must develop a long-range transportation plan covering a planning horizon of at least 20 years. These long-range transportation plans must be updated at least every four years, use performance-based planning, be fiscally constrained, and be prepared with engagement from the public, stakeholders and coordinated with MAG’s partners. Arizona state statute directs the Transportation Policy Committee to develop, amend and update the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that serves as the blueprint for how revenues made available to the region are used, including federal formula funds, state Highway User Revenue Funds, and the Maricopa County Transportation Excise Tax, known as Proposition 400. With the Maricopa County Transportation Excise Tax collections set to expire at the end of 2025, MAG has completed a multi-year effort to develop a new RTP, MOMENTUM 2050, to serve as the basis for the extension of Proposition 400.
Metropolitan planning organizations are also required to develop a companion document to the long-range plan, a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is a detailed listing of near-term regionally significant surface transportation projects. By definition, it serves as the first four years of the RTP (FY 2022-2025), and notable for the MAG region, reflects the final years of the funded Proposition 400 program. Like the RTP, MAG’s TIP must be fiscally constrained.
After more than two years, the performance-based, multimodal planning process has culminated in the development of an RTP and TIP, detailing short- and long-range projects and programmatic investments to support the efficient movement of people and goods in the region. To this end, on June 23, 2021, MAG Regional Council unanimously approved the RTP investment plan, which represents the final list of projects and programs funded through the anticipated extension of the dedicated county transportation sales tax and other revenues available to the region. On July 28, 2021, MAG Regional Council unanimously approved freeway/highway, arterial and high-capacity transit project phasing along with entrance into air quality conformity analysis. The RTP and the TIP also include those projects identified in the FY 2022 Freeway and Arterial life cycle program updates, approved on June 23, 2021.
As required by the Clean Air Act, the RTP and TIP are subject to analyses to ensure the plans, and the projects and programs contained within, do not cause or contribute to violations of federal air quality standards in the region’s nonattainment and maintenance areas. Drafts of MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan (MOMENTUM 2050), Transportation Improvement Program (FY 2022-2025), and 2021 Conformity Analysis were posted for public review and comment beginning September 13, 2021. Development of the TIP and RTP is consistent with requirements guiding metropolitan transportation planning, including Title 23 U.S.C. Section 134 and Title 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, and reflect the culmination of MAG’s federally prescribed responsibility for transportation planning and funding decisions within the region.
MAG Regional Council approved the RTP, TIP and Conformity Analysis on December 1, 2021, and on December 16, 2021, received notice of concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration on a finding of air quality conformity.
Public Input
Public participation is an integral part of the plan development and decision-making process. Early and continuous public involvement ensures that decisions reflect public needs and interests, consider diverse viewpoints and values, and are made in collaboration and consensus with all stakeholders. The formal MOMENTUM public engagement effort kicked off in 2020, with a deliberate and ongoing process consisting of engagement opportunities designed to inform, educate and gain input from stakeholders on the plan decisions that affect their lives. Due to the unique challenges presented by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the public engagement process for MOMENTUM has been carried out entirely through virtual platforms. Input received from the public and stakeholders is documented in two reports:
• Early Phase Public Input Report (January 2021), documenting feedback received through December 31, 2020.
• Late Phase Public Input Report (June 2021), documenting feedback received through June 5, 2021.
• Fiscal Year 2022 Public Input Report (September 2022), documenting feedback received in fiscal year 2022.
This input adds to values mapping research MAG conducted in 2019, to better understand residents’ core beliefs about transportation in our region and how it impacts their quality of life. The feedback from over 10,000 residents was complimented by additional stakeholder outreach, peer agency interviews and research, and discussions with regional policymakers. This effort was the foundation for establishing the RTP’s six goals: safety, mobility, livability, responsiveness, prosperity and preservation.
As is required by federal regulation (23 CFR §450.316), public and stakeholder engagement was facilitated to support the development of the new RTP and TIP, consistent with MAG’s adopted Public Participation Plan. In addition to engagement through the MOMENTUM website, social media platforms, virtual meetings and presentations, members of the public provided feedback at MAG policy committee meetings, and engaged with planning staff through traditional and new formats, including live chat via the MOMENTUM website.
A 30-day public comment period on the draft RTP, TIP and Conformity Analysis concluded on October 13, 2021. The MAG Regional Council unanimously approved the MOMENTUM 2050 plan on December 1, 2021. The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Finding of Conformity for MAG’s air quality conformity analysis of the plan on December 15, 2021.
Enabling Legislation
Unique only to Maricopa County, in order for another extension of the half-cent sales tax to be placed on a ballot, authority must first be provided by the state legislature. On June 24, 2022, the Arizona State Legislature transmitted H.B. 2685 to Governor Doug Ducey. This legislation authorized the county to call an election for voters to consider the extension of the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation in Maricopa County. On July 6, 2022, Governor Doug Ducey vetoed the bill.
Since that time, the MAG Regional Council has reaffirmed their commitment to the plan and to getting the issue before voters as quickly as possible. A number of tasks have been initiated since the veto, including a comprehensive economic analysis; results of that effort were presented to MAG policy committees in October.
Additional information on the impacts of the veto and consequences of not extending the dedicated sales tax can be found in the attached document.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the City Manager's Office.