TUCA GOLF INFORMATION

It is almost here and we are excited to say we are expecting the best turnout in years; this year’s TUCA golf tournament will be another spectacular event. Please note the dress code. This is very important. All players are required to wear soft spike golf shoes, a collared golf shirt and NO denim. The dress code is strictly enforced. Please also make sure you are there on time to enjoy some networking, review the golf raffle prizes we have to offer, perhaps warm up your swing and to beat the crowd. If you have any questions on the day of the event, please call the Hilton El Conquistador Golf Club at 520.544.1900.

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BUILD THE 202 PUBLIC OUT REACH

As we reported last week about the construction of the 202 loop in Phoenix, and the importance of jobs it creates for our industry but also about commerce and safety, there is a webpage we ask you to see for up-to-date information. There are fast facts and information about the upcoming public hearing that we recommend everyone and anyone to attend. This is very important, none-the-less; it is already fully funded and approved by the voter in two separate elections. A press release just went out this morning regarding the survey the We Build Arizona coalition did to show the support by the voters. To view the website, please go here.

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TUCA TESTIFIES

TUCA testified this morning at the Pima C ounty Board of Supervisors meeting with respect to an agenda item related to transportation that Staff was recommending. These were the following recommendations: 

A.

Continue to allocate $5 million annually from the General Fund to

the Department of Transportation for road maintenance.

B.

Continue to request that the State Legislature partially or fully

return to Pima County the $38 million in HURF revenues that

have been swept since 2002.

C.

Request that the Arizona Legislature pass legislation to maintain

the one-cent per gallon excise tax previously earmarked for the

USTAA and provide the estimated annual revenue of $29 million

from this tax to the state, cities, towns and counties for pavement

repair and maintenance.

D.

Request that the Arizona Legislature increase the state gasoline

tax by 10 cents to coincide with the 29.7 cents per gallon average

gasoline tax of surrounding states.

E.

Consider in any new funding initiative, such as renewal of the

Regional Transportation Authority tax, a significant allocation of

new revenues toward pavement preservation and repair in an

amount not less than $500 million to be distributed in accordance

with assessed value, population or a combination thereof among

the various local governments maintaining and operating streets

and highways in Pima County.

F.

Consider any of the funding options provided to the Board in the

April 10, 2012 report titled, “Need for Increased Investment in

Transportation and Highway Maintenance.”

TUCA kept its comments broad but certainly supported any effort to obtain as much dollars from the general fund to be used for roads. In addition, TUCA sees no reason why not to ask the State Legislature to reimburse the highway user revenue funds (HURF) dollars back after the years of sweeping the fund. TUCA wrote its own letter to them pleading the same back in March. Any further recommendations to the State Legislature should require “firewalls” or parameters, because we have seen how this impacts fund like the HURF.

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METAL THEFT SIGNED INTO LAW

The state of Arizona has strengthened laws to fight metal theft - an effort assisted by the Metropolitan Pima Alliance working with state legislators, utilities and scrap metal dealers. Gov. Jan Brewer last week signed two bills into law that address the widespread problem of metal theft in Arizona and nationwide. House Bill 2262 will require scrap metal dealers to register with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and would increase penalties for dealers who knowingly purchase stolen materials.  Senate Bill 1107 makes it illegal for anyone to purchase or even possess a metal known to be stolen.  Earlier in April, Brewer signed into law House Bill 2386, authored by Rep. Justin Pierce, R-Mesa, expanding the definition of criminal damage to include tampering with utility property to obtain scrap metal. The bills go into effect on Aug. 2. The Pima County Metal Watch Task Force, co-chaired by MPA, Building Owners and Managers Association Southern Arizona (BOMA) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) originated last May with the goal of creating a public awareness campaign, passing legislation and supporting law enforcement efforts. The Task Force has over 100 public and private sector members including every Pima County jurisdiction and public safety departments with the common goal of fighting this billion-dollar problem. TUCA was involved at the Committee level and was glad to see MPA move this at the State Capital.