Updating a 46-year-old law

Two people dressed in 80s style clothing posing with a boombox against a yellow background.

Do You Remember 1979?

Pac-Man and Space Invaders were first released. Leg warmers, big shoulder pads and the preppy look were in.

And a formula was set into law that limited Pima County’s spending on services for residents—before the County’s population doubled, changing everything.

Prop 425 finally updates that law, allowing Pima to spend money on residents that it already has without raising taxes.

The Common Sense, No Tax Solution

In 1980, Pima County was completely different. Many of today’s neighborhoods, public facilities, and community-service needs either didn’t exist or looked entirely different. The county had not yet experienced more than four decades of population growth, infrastructure aging, economic change, and expanding responsibilities in public safety, healthcare, and community services.

Yet Pima County’s ability to meet the needs of residents today is capped based on a formula set in 1980—46 years ago—and it’s hurting us.

This year, Pima County has a measure on the ballot—Prop 425—to update the state expenditure limit formula which prevents Pima from fully using its resources to provide services. This practical measure will not increase the tax rate by a single penny. Instead, it allows the county to use already available funding on things like affordable healthcare, maintaining infrastructure like roads and bridges, and providing after-school programs.

A multigenerational family of six sitting together outdoors on a sunny day, smiling, with trees and greenery in the background.

Putting Pima County on a Level Playing Field

For years, state and federal politicians have cut, taken, or redirected funding that is intended to be used for local public services. Prop 425 strengthens Pima County's control over its own finances. Seven other counties—including Maricopa—have already passed a similar fix, giving them a competitive advantage. We need to pass this measure to keep Pima residents on a level playing field with the people of other counties, both in their quality of life and in strengthening our local economy.