Governor Brewer Opens Session
The governor began the session with her State-of-the-State address that outlined her priorities for the 2015 fiscal year. According to her press release,
child safety, education, jobs in the technology and manufacturing sectors and human trafficking enforcement are her top priorities. The governor's 2015 budget includes transferring approximately $119 million from HURF to fund the Department of Public Safety.
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Senate President Supports Temporary Stop to HURF Sweeps
Last year AZAGC Chairman Doug Declusin and AZAGC President David Martin met with Senate President Andy Biggs. In the meeting, Senator Biggs indicated a willingness to stop the HURF sweeps. True to his word, he stated that he supports a two year halt to the practice. As mentioned above, the governor has opted to continue her practice of the transfer. We'll let you know how things transpire during the budget negotiations. Expect AZAGC to be advocating for Speaker Tobin's, Minority Leader Campbell's, and President Biggs' position.
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League and CSA on HURF
According to the League of Cities and Towns 2014 Municipal Policy Statement 2014 Municipal Policy Statement, Arizona's cities and towns are asking the legislature to:
"Stop future sweeps of Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) allocated to Arizona cities and towns and follow statutory formulas for the distribution of HURF monies;..."
The County Supervisors' Association delivered a similar message:
"Fully fund the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) for local governments. Since 2008, state action has diverted more than $314 million from municipal and county road building and maintenance resources to fund state government operations. Stopping this diversion going forward will restore more than $20.9 million annually to county street maintenance statewide."
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RTAC Takes Stand on HURF Too
In a bold move lead by the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council (RTAC), this letter was sent to Governor Brewer and the legislature, which includes business interests such as Southern Arizona Leadership Council, East Valley Partnership, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Highway Users, and a number of elected officials asking them to stop the HURF raids. The letter had a succinct point:
"When HURF funds are properly invested in transportation projects, it provides jobs; it improves our state and local infrastructure and makes Arizona more competitive with other states. Taxpayers have a right to expect their gas tax and other vehicle-related revenues to be used for transportation improvements."
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Sheriff Babeu Enters the HURF Fray
According to this article, Sheriff Babeu and state representatives T.J. Shope and Frank Pratt used Ironwood Road's lousy safety record as an example of where HURF money could be spent to make the road safer for the travelling public. According to a recent TRIP Report, Arizona rural roads are the 8th most dangerous in the country.
Looks like there's some momentum to protect the HURF.
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