Arizona Sees Crucial Local Elections This Week

Arizona's 2023 special elections will play an integral role in local cities across Arizona.  Several school districts and cities are demanding $4 billion in bond sales for local projects across the state.

The projects mostly pertain to public safety, with bullet-proof windows for schools on the list.  Phoenix for instance, is asking residents to approve $500 million in bond debt to fund projects that include $133 million worth of public safety infrastructure, $64 million for park upgrades and $82 million for streets and storm drainage. Phoenix would pay back the debt for the next 23 years.

23 different school districts are demanding the money to increase the school district budget by 15%.  Some proponents of the school district wish to sell district-owned land, but most are either looking for bond approval or the budget override.  The budget increase, if approved, would increase teacher pay.

Glendale will be voting on two projects that will cost a combined total of $160 million.  The first is basic infrastructure improvements, such as roads, which will cost $82 million.  The other $78 million will go into modernizing public safety facilities such as police stations.

Smaller communities also voting on significant community changes are Surprise, Goodyear, El Mirage.

More political elections are also happening around the state, with Tucson deciding if they will retain  Mayor Regina Romero, who has been in her office since 2019.  The mayor looks like she will get a run for her money, with challenges from three different challengers in Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker, independent candidate Ed Ackerley and Libertarian Arthur Kerschen.

Tucson will also be deciding three City Council seats as well as if elected officials should be rewarded a salary increase.