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Phoenix's 2005 Legislative Goals
Include Towing Cruisers
 
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The Arizona Republic
City Sets Top Legislative Goals For 2005
 
By Ginger D. Richardson
The Arizona Republic, 11-12-04

 

PHOENIX - Promoting downtown revitalization and protecting the city's portion of state-shared revenues are the top priorities on the City Council's 2005 legislative agenda.

Officials approved the proposal at a policy session this week; the legislative session starts in January.

The top goal is ensuring that Phoenix gets its cut of revenue from the state - money that this year constitutes 32 percent of the city's $930 million general fund budget.
 
"This is key," said Norris Nordvold, the city's intergovernmental relations director.

The city also intends to make it clear that downtown redevelopment is a top objective. Phoenix officials say they will support any legislation that helps establish and fund a downtown medical school and are also asking lawmakers to give them new "economic development tools" that will encourage urban growth and revitalization.

Officials expect it to be a hard sell at the state level.

City officials also are supporting legislation that would allow Valley cities to enter into bilateral agreements for the purpose of sharing sales tax revenue but will oppose any legislative efforts to pre-empt cities' right to offer sales tax incentives to developers and companies seeking to open businesses in their area.

Phoenix's other legislative priorities include protecting its ability to use condemnation and eminent domain, supporting any bills that would limit the clustering of sex offenders and enacting legislation that would limit "cruising" in the city's neighborhoods.
 

* This article reprinted from the 11-12-04 issue of The Arizona Republic. Written by Ginger D. Richardson.

** Link to this article at; http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1112phxlegislation.html

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