Maricopa’s decision to approve a half-cent transportation sales tax for State Route 347 is now being used as a talking point in a statewide tax fight at the Arizona Capitol.

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns argued this week that a Republican proposal to freeze local tax increases would have prevented Maricopa from “fixing” the beleaguered highway connecting it to the rest of metro Phoenix.

The league made the argument Monday in a post on X, referencing legislation now moving through the Arizona Legislature.

“If HB4030/HCR2052 had been law last year, the City of Maricopa couldn’t have acted in time to fix one of the ‘most dangerous highways in the West,’” the organization wrote.

The comment echoed a point raised in a March 6 report by the Arizona Capitol Times on two measures sponsored by Rep. Justin Olson (R-Mesa) that would prohibit cities and counties from raising taxes or increasing utility rates for four years.

Under the proposal, local governments would be barred from raising taxes or utility fees from July 1 through June 30, 2030, unless voters approve the increase with at least 60% support in a local election.

City leaders across Arizona have pushed back on the proposal, arguing it intrudes on local budget decisions and could disrupt infrastructure planning.

Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith echoed the League’s concern.

“We would not have been able to strike while the iron was hot to make this important decision,” Smith told the Capitol Times.

Maricopa City Council approved the transportation sales tax to widen roughly 15 miles of SR 347 between Interstate 10 and the city limits. The Arizona Department of Transportation has estimated the expansion will cost about $86 million. Pinal County pledged $20 million toward the effort, and construction is expected to begin this summer.

One day after the league’s post, the Arizona House Republican caucus published its own message on X highlighting the importance of improving SR 347 for commuters in Pinal County. The post, tagged #AZMajorityWorks, did not reference the proposed tax-freeze legislation but came as city leaders were criticizing the measure.

“For thousands of Arizona drivers in Pinal County, SR 347 is part of the daily commute,” the caucus wrote, thanking state Reps. Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez (R-Casa Grande) for prioritizing the project.

The league’s post also coincided with a memo from Lopez, who shared photos on X Monday of a meeting with mayors and city leaders from across Legislative District 16, including Maricopa officials, to discuss infrastructure priorities.

“One message came through loud and clear: Roads. Roads. Roads,” Lopez wrote, adding that he looked forward to continuing work on projects such as the funding for SR 347 he “fought for last year.”

Neither House Bill 4030 nor House Concurrent Resolution 2052 has yet received a vote on the Arizona House floor. If approved by the Legislature, the resolution could go to voters statewide on the November ballot.