Phoenix, AZ (August 13, 2019) — Officers of the Maricopa County Libertarian Party voted in favor of a resolution urging support for Prop. 105 and Prop. 106. The two measures appearing on the ballot for the August 27th Phoenix election. The vote took place during the party’s August business meeting.

Treasurer Susan Gudino of Building a Better Phoenix, the group responsible for Proposition 105, spoke to the officers and meeting attendees. Highlighting the effects of the South Central light rail extension and what impact passage of Prop. 105 would have. There was no representative present from Responsible Budgets, the group behind Proposition 106. Prop. 106 focuses on unfunded pension liabilities the city of Phoenix is facing.

Passage of Prop. 105 would end current and all future expansion of light rail, freeing billions of dollars to fix streets, sidewalks, and to expand bus and dial-a-ride services. While passage of Prop. 106 would end pensions for city council members, require the city to pay down pension debt with any excess funds, and prevent new city spending if pensions are not 90% funded.

A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT PROPOSITION 105 AND PROPOSITION 106

Whereas 70% of Phoenix city streets are in inadequate condition requiring billions of dollars to repair;

Whereas the true cost of light rail is expensive, consuming 40% of the Phoenix transportation budget. With construction of the South Central extension estimated at $245 million per mile;

Whereas the South Central extension would go from a four-lane to a two-lane design, reducing Central Avenue to one lane for vehicles each direction, negatively impacting local businesses and residents;

Whereas construction on the South Central extension would displace the thriving cultural community, causing independent and small businesses to close in favor of corporate investments;

Whereas overall light rail ridership is declining with only 1% of the population using the system; and

Whereas the city of Phoenix has more than $4 billion in unfunded pension debt; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, the Maricopa County Libertarian Party (MCLP):

1. urges Phoenix voters support Proposition 105, thereby ending current construction and all future expansion of light rail. Freeing billions of dollars to fix city streets, sidewalks, expanding bus and dial-a-ride services. In addition to other transportation projects benefiting all Phoenix residents; and
2. urges Phoenix voters support Proposition 106, thereby requiring the city to put any excess funding toward pension debt, end pensions for city council members, create annual pension debt assessments, and prevent new city spending if pensions are not 90% funded.