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Legislators field residents’ questions, concerns

At least one more forum scheduled

Posted 3/16/20

Communications between state representatives and constituents is the process by which community issues get addressed.

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Legislators field residents’ questions, concerns

At least one more forum scheduled

Posted

Communications between state representatives and constituents is the process by which community issues get addressed.

Sun City West took the opportunity to address key areas effecting the community during the March 6 legislative forum at the Property Owners and Residents Association where members of the Arizona Legislature from districts 21 and 22 participated in a question and answer session with about 50 people in attendance.

PORA and the Sun City Home Owners Association team up to host the forums in alternating communities. The next forum is scheduled 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 10 in the meeting room at the SCHOA office, 10401 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City.

Lawmakers attending the March 6 forum were District 22 Sen. David Livingston (R-Peoria), District 22 Rep. Ben Toma (R-Peoria), District 22 Rep. Frank Carroll (R-Peoria), District 21 Sen. Rick Gray (R-Sun City), District 21 Rep. Kevin Payne (R-Peoria) and Scott Isham, Maricopa County District 4 Supervisor Clint Hickman’s chief of staff.

Wendy Garcia, who is currently running for the state senate in District 22, raised questions to Mr. Toma regarding the raising of taxes. She cited senate bill 2778 that seeks to increase regressive sales tax by half a penny on everything sold in the state, which she argued hurts the working class and those on fixed incomes, such as those in the Sun Cities.

“I think the policies we have had cutting taxes and simplification has led to more revenue for the state than we have ever had. Some wish that wasn’t true, but it is,” Mr. Toma explained. “I am proud to say we have another $400 million in on-going tax cuts that has cleared ways and means this year alone, which not all will make into the budget. But again, that’s still only one-third of the surplus and everyone needs to understand we have more money than we have ever had as a state and that’s due to targeted cuts and the fact that we trust Americans to spend their money and create their own wealth.”

Increased taxes were top of mind with Mr. Gray, who said increased revenues for the state are up because taxes were cut, leaving two options. He said either the state makes residents give up their money and the state gets to choose where it goes, or the state can let residents spend it and pay sales tax.

Mr. Payne explained to residents plans he is working on from the transportation standpoint to get more options for the community. This includes trying to get an autonomous vehicle that circles in Sun City West to the hospital and then from the Sun City recreation centers to the hospital, as well as a van that goes between the two communities that will connect them. He said one issue is getting to the outside world.

He explained proposition 400 and the half-cent sales tax really helps Maricopa County. Mr. Payne said it will be on the ballot in the coming years.

“Right now we are not getting any funds out of there and its been almost 40 years the county has been paying into this fund,” he said. “Out here on the west side we got a couple of projects, such as the Bell Road overpass at Grand Avenue, but 28 projects were aligned. Those were canceled back in 2008-09 due to the recession and they were never put back after we recovered. We have one-third of the legislature between the house and senate on board and we are trying to get some of that money that you are paying in to.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming census and possible redistricting, Mr. Gray said previously it was looked at to combine the two districts, both 21 and 22, but he and others fought for separation and will continue to do so.

“You have multiple people here fighting for you with six of us at the capital in the house and the senate and being in two different district gives us more clout than if we only had three,” he explained.

Additionally, one community member inquired about the homestead exemption, which protects the equity in a home so that creditors cannot take it away, but the limit is $150,000. A request was made to Mr. Toma to fight for the amount to be higher, which would be beneficial to those in the Sun Cities.

Mr. Livingston said forums are important and he enjoys serving all those who reside in District 22.

“Events like today are critical because we want to know what is on your mind and explain the difference between what you are reading about and what is on the news and what is truly fake news,” he said. “I enjoy representing you and in these meetings you all take the information from and pass it along to your community and it has a multiplying effect and I encourage you to keep doing that. We are available to talk to you guys.”

For Mr. Gray, the community of Sun City is his home and he referred to both communities working closely together on issues that are one in the same to ensure things taking place are right for the people living in it.

“The reason I am at the capitol is for all of you and the people in my community, “ he said. “You are good people and deserve to be protected.”