On March 10, Pima County voters will decide whether to continue funding a regional approach to transportation improvements through Propositions 418 and 419. The decision matters for everyone who lives, works, and does business here, and it’s an investment that costs no more than taxpayers are currently paying.
Props 418 and 419 authorize the continuation of RTA‘s half-cent sales tax for another 20 years. No tax increase, just protection and improvement in our regional infrastructure. The RTA Next plan commits $2.67 billion over 20 years to roadway improvements, expanded transit services, pavement rehabilitation, safety upgrades, and pedestrian infrastructure across the county.
This amounts to just 50 cents per $100 spent on applicable purchases—a minimal individual contribution that collectively funds critical infrastructure. Complaints about Tucson’s roads and transit safety have been widespread for years. Together, this is how Tucson residents can fix these issues without raising taxes or putting additional burden on local families and small businesses.
Transportation infrastructure directly impacts economic growth and whether businesses choose to locate here. The RTA Next plan is projected to generate $3.7 billion in new tax base over 35 years and create 48,000 jobs over the next 20 years. Businesses choose locations based on accessibility. Can employees get to work? Can goods move efficiently? Can customers reach storefronts? The answer to these questions determines whether companies choose to expand here or look elsewhere.
Barbi Reuter, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, said: “Infrastructure is legacy work. The decisions we make today determine the Tucson our children and grandchildren will inherit. This is a chance to move forward together, as a region, with an investment that strengthens the foundation of our economy and our quality of life.”
Pima County’s population is projected to reach 1.25 million by 2050. Without continued investment, our infrastructure won’t keep pace with growth. Roads will deteriorate faster, congestion will worsen, and transit options will shrink. The plan includes 31 roadway corridor improvements, five freeway interchanges, expanded weekend and evening bus service, safety and security enhancements for public transportation, intersection upgrades, and wildlife linkages to protect our native wildlife.
If voters reject these propositions, $2.67 billion in regional transportation funding disappears, and a fragmented approach to infrastructure is likely to follow. Tucson will lose approximately $30 million annually that currently supports expanded transit services, including paratransit and dial-a-ride options many residents depend on to get to work. State and federal transportation dollars won’t fill the gap. RTA funding stretches those limited sources.
Vote yes on Propositions 418 and 419. A half-cent sales tax continuation funds infrastructure that supports economic development, improves mobility, and addresses the road quality and safety concerns in Tucson. It’s a small cost for significant regional benefit.
Your vote is worth nearly three times what it is in a November election! Turnout will be around one-third of what it is in November, which means each vote carries more weight. Tucson’s infrastructure future depends on voters showing up on March 10!
Food for Thought:
SOURCES:
Regional Transportation Authority. “Home – RTA Next.” RTA Next, 2026, rtanext.com. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Southern Arizona Leadership Council. “YES on Props 418 & 419.” SALC, 2026, salc.org/rtanext/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
