To the editor,

The 2025 legislative session has just come to a close, bringing real progress for Maricopa. Over 166 days, state lawmakers introduced more than 1,700 bills, with 265 signed into law. Several of these directly affect our city and reflect the work of local leaders advocating at the Capitol. 

One of the most important victories is the full funding for key improvements along State Route 347. For years, the planned interchange at Riggs Road and upgrades at the Casa Blanca and Mammoth Way intersections faced funding delays and shortfalls. This year, the legislature filled those gaps, approving nearly $140 million to move these projects forward. Design is already underway, and construction is expected to begin in 2026.  

Maricopa’s public safety services also received direct support. The legislature approved $200,000 each for the Maricopa Police Department and the Maricopa Fire and Medical Department. This funding enhances our capacity to serve a rapidly growing community and maintain a high level of emergency response. 

Education saw significant investment at the state level. Nearly $300 million will go toward building and upgrading K-12 schools statewide. Lawmakers also paused the school spending cap for two years, allowing districts more flexibility to utilize the funding they already have. Additional pay increases were approved for state-level public safety employees, including firefighters, troopers and correctional officers. 

Finally, the legislature approved three measures that will appear on the 2026 statewide ballot. One would officially label drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Another would block any future attempt to tax or monitor the number of miles people drive. The third would limit the ability of cities to raise food taxes without a public vote. 

All of these decisions were shaped by input from communities like ours. The legislative session showed that Maricopa’s voice matters. With new funding in place for transportation safety, public services and education, this session’s outcomes will have a lasting impact on our city. 

I want to thank Reps. Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez, as well as Sen. T.J. Shope, for their tireless efforts, persistence and partnership throughout the session. Their efforts helped secure meaningful investments that will benefit Maricopa for years to come.

Vincent Manfredi is a Maricopa City Council member and owner of InMaricopa.