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Valley Voters Supportive of RARF Tax Extension

by Kathy DeBoer

Valley Metro and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) commissioned WestGroup Research to conduct focus groups and a telephone survey of registered voters in Maricopa County. The purpose of the research was to ascertain the level of support for extending the regional area road fund (RARF) sales tax and gain insight into perspectives on funding priorities. Five focus groups and 626, 15-minute surveys were completed during December 2001and January 2002. The margin of error for the telephone sample is +4.0 at a 95% confidence level.

Transit research expert, Kathy DeBoer has been busy presenting the findings of the study since the results were tallied in January. She has made presentations to Valley Metro, MAG, Friends of Transit, and the Regional Council of MAG and the requests keep pouring in. The following summary encompasses the major finding of the research.

Voters participating in both research projects indicated the major issues facing the region in the next five years are:

• Growth management
• Improved public transportation
• Education
• Traffic congestion
• Air quality

The primary transportation issues dealt with on a regular basis include:

• Delays due to congestion on major streets
• Delays due to congestion on freeways
• Unsafe drivers
• Delays due to construction

Voters indicated that a multi-modal approach is necessary when looking at solutions to the current transportation problems facing the region. The following solutions were suggested by voters in both studies:

Improved public transportation services, particularly the addition of a light rail system, improved local bus service and improved express bus service.

• Improved/more freeways
  
• Increased law enforcement/penalties
  
• Improved/more streets
  
• Improved traffic signals

When asked to discuss the highest priorities for the region in addressing transportation issues, voters primarily focused on freeway and public transit improvements.

• Expand light rail throughout the region
  
• Improved/more freeways
  
• Improved/more arterial streets
  
• Improved local bus service
  
• Synchronized lights

Respondents were given the following information about the RARF tax. Residents across the Valley have been paying a one-half cent regional sales tax since 1985 to fund freeways and public transit improvements (to a lesser degree). This current tax has a 20-year time limit and set to expire in 2005. There are proposals to extend this tax another 20 years to continue to maintain and improve freeways and public transit in the county.

Overall, voters from both studies indicated strong support for the extension of the RARF tax. In the telephone study, approximately three in four voters indicated they would favor an extension of the tax.

Reasons for support of the tax extension included:

• "Can't afford not to" keep the tax going/already behind
  
• Need better public transportation
  
• Need better freeways
  
• Keep up with growth

Reasons for opposing the tax extension included:

• Have not seen positive impact of tax over past 15 years
  
• General opposition to any taxes
  
• Not sure money will be spent wisely

March 2002 Answers:
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