Politics
Tucson Voters Decide Half-Cent Sales Tax for 150 Miles Road Repair
Voters in Tucson will decide in November on a half-cent sales tax increase that would direct revenue to 150 miles of street repaving and affect annual vehicle operating costs for local households.
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The November ballot measure proposes a 0.5 percent sales tax increase dedicated to road maintenance across Tucson. Passage would generate roughly $28 million annually for the city’s pavement rehabilitation program, according to the 2026 capital improvement plan filed by Tucson Public Works. The measure would apply to purchases made within city limits and would remain in effect for eight years.
Background on the Funding Gap
Tucson’s existing road fund has covered only 62 miles of resurfacing per year on average since 2022. City documents show a current backlog of 420 miles of streets rated in poor condition. The referendum was placed on the ballot after the Tucson City Council approved Ordinance 2026-147 in June, which requires voter approval before any new sales tax can be levied for infrastructure.
Policy analysts at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management have reviewed the city’s revenue projections and note that the tax would add an estimated $142 per year to the average Tucson household’s taxable spending. Local advocates note that the funds cannot be diverted to other uses under the ordinance language.
Daily Effects for Residents
Residents who drive on city streets would see targeted improvements on major corridors such as Grant Road, Speedway Boulevard and Oracle Road. The plan lists 22 specific segments scheduled for work in the first two years if the measure passes. Commuters traveling to the University of Arizona or Davis-Monthan Air Force Base would encounter fewer temporary lane closures once initial repairs are completed.
City budget papers indicate that without the new revenue, property tax contributions to roads would need to rise by 11 percent by 2028 to maintain current service levels. The referendum therefore determines whether the cost falls on sales taxpayers or shifts to property owners.
Early voting for the measure opens October 15 at Pima County election offices. Ballots will also be mailed to all registered voters by October 10, with final results certified no later than December 1 under Arizona election statutes.