INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of this document is to define the City of Goodyear’s legislative priorities and core values for the 2024 federal and state legislative sessions. This serves as the leading document to provide direction to Government Relations staff to ensure the City is actively engaging on issues at the U.S. and State Capitols that reflect the priorities and mission of the Goodyear City Council.

CORE VALUES 

Maintain Goodyear’s High Quality of Life

Protect those attributes that make Goodyear a desirable community for families and businesses alike. These may include: open space; economic prosperity; safe neighborhoods; protecting zoning and design review; efficient transportation; public safety; and managed growth.

Preserve Local Funding

Protect existing funding sources that bring revenue to the City of Goodyear, which support the quality of life for its residents. The most common examples of this are the portion of state shared income tax (urban revenue sharing), state transaction privilege tax, food taxes, and Highway User Revenue Fund monies cities receive from the state. Any efforts to reduce, sweep or eliminate any of these shared revenue sources will be opposed. Support policy solutions created to offset the impact of the elimination of residential rental tax beginning January 1, 2025.

Oppose Preemption of Local Authority

Support local decision-making authority. The City of Goodyear was created by its residents through incorporation in 1946 - the community entrusts their local elected officials to protect public health, safety and quality of life. Any efforts to weaken or eliminate local control and decision-making authority through preemption or mandates will be opposed.

Protect the Mission of Luke Air Force Base

Sustain the long-term mission and viability of Luke Air Force Base through local and regional community support as well as any state or federal legislation that strengthens local efforts to protect the base. Specific items may include: protecting military airports, limiting encroachment, and expanding future missions.

Promote Economic Development & Prosperity

Maintain and enhance the caliber of economic development opportunities available to the City through supporting new and existing tools for private sector growth and revitalization. Support legislative changes that allow growth to pay for itself in order to attract new and reliable development opportunities. 

Collaborate to Build a Robust Transportation Network

Engage regional partners and collaborate to ensure Goodyear’s residents have reliable and efficient transportation options in and out of their community. Support legislation to prepare for the possible extension of the voter-approved Proposition 400 sales tax for transportation. Encourage efforts that modernize existing funding sources to ensure viability and maintenance of the transportation network. 

Support federal and state funding for statewide, regional and local transportation and infrastructure projects. Work collaboratively with our federal, state, regional, and other local delegations to secure grant funding for the region’s important infrastructure needs. 

Protect & Enhance Water Supply

Collaborate with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association to support legislation that encourages practical water efficiency and conservation measures. Protect surface water and uphold the principles of the Groundwater Management Act. Ensure the City of Goodyear is able to supply assured, safe and sustainable water to its residents. 

Phoenix-Goodyear Airport

Continue to partner with the City of Phoenix (Arizona) to ensure continued operations of the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport. Monitor and be aware of changes to made by the Federal Aviation Administration.