PHX Reporter

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego called Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey “out of touch” and said the governor “doesn’t trust” the public after Ducey vetoed a bill that would have extended a sales tax to fund transportation projects for 25 years.

On July 6, Gallego released a series of tweets about Ducey after he vetoed House Bill 2685, which would have given voters a choice on extending Proposition 400 or not. The measure adds a half-cent sales tax to consumers in Maricopa County, and the local government plans to use the funds from it to pay for a $38 billion infrastructure plan. Voters first approved the proposition in 1985, then renewed it in 2004. The tax will expire at the end of 2025 if it's not renewed again.

"The governor is out of touch and clearly doesn’t trust the people of Arizona," Gallego said in a tweet July 6.

"That’s the only way to explain his veto of HB 2685.” she said in another tweet. “The bill would have empowered residents of Maricopa County to extend the current half-cent sales tax for transportation projects. The veto is shortsighted and anti-economic development.”

Gallego continued, citing environmental concerns.

"By killing the bill, the governor seems to think Arizonans love sitting in traffic jams, giving up time with family, and further damaging air quality," Gallego tweeted. "This half-cent tax has been in place for 37 years. Renewing it would have funded a $38 billion infrastructure package supported by all Maricopa County mayors, and a robust and diverse group (of) business leaders and sustainability partners."

In vetoing the tax extension, Gallego said Ducey was ignoring Maricopa County’s citizens’ needs.

"I’m profoundly disappointed that the governor is turning his back on the resources we need to meet the explosive growth in our region," she said.

Gallego also said that lawmakers could go around Ducey and his veto.

"Our group of bipartisan leaders will find a solution to @DougDucey’s mistake,” Gallego said. “The residents of our region demand and deserve it."