Arizona Sen. Mitzi Epstein took to the X platform to express her support for the passage of Senate Bill 1102, which has passed both houses of Congress and will now be placed on the ballot in Maricopa County, where voters will decide whether to extend Proposition 400, a tax aimed at funding public transportation.
"Sine Die! At sunset, instead of sunrise! Hurray," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Today we passed the bipartisan extension of Prop400 and then ended the session around 5pm. Let the celebrations ring out!"
Conservatives in Arizona have criticized Proposition 400, which is being sent to voters for the third time since 1984, and was last approved in 2004. The bill's approval followed Arizona's longest-ever legislative session, lasting 204 days, surpassing the previous of 173 days in 1988.
New tax revenue is intended to be put toward street, highway, and public transportation projects in Maricopa County. However, without Hobbs' endorsement, the entire state risks competing with Maricopa for "limited state transportation funding," according to AZ Mirror.
"Today, bipartisan leaders invested in the future of Arizona families, businesses, and communities," Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs wrote on the X platform on July 31. "The passage of the Prop 400 ballot measure will secure the economic future of our state and create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs for Arizonans. I am glad we were able to put politics aside and do what is right for Arizona."
The tax was initially approved in 2004 and is scheduled to lapse by the end of 2025, AZ Mirror reported. The bill secured House approval with a vote of 43-14 and gained Senate endorsement with a vote of 19-7. The bill consists of a $24 billion allotment that spans 20 years, designating 40.5% for freeways and highways, 37% for public transit, and 22.5% for roads and intersections. An earlier rendition of SB1102 was previously endorsed by both legislative chambers in June, primarily backed by Republicans. However, Hobbs vetoed that version.
Arizona Rep. Justin Heap voiced his displeasure on Twitter as well.
"A disappointing day, we had plenty of time to craft a better Prop 400 bill," Heap wrote. "Thank you to the many great representatives who fought with us and the many citizens to reached out with support and encouragement. Conservatives are happy warriors so it's on to the next fight."
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