Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego uses State of the City speech to defend light rail

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego used her first State of the City address to rally for the Valley's light-rail system ahead of an August election that could derail it. 

Gallego, who was elected in March, said the outcome of the vote on light rail will shape the future of Phoenix and determine whether the city remains prosperous. 

"On this stage, with the biggest audience I’ll have between now and the August election that will decide our light rail’s fate, I want to speak candidly about what light rail has meant for us, and what it will mean for Phoenix if we go backwards on our public transportation system," Gallego said. 

Gallego talks elections

Gallego spent a substantial amount of her 30-minute speech at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix listing what she sees as significant improvements to the Valley because of light rail: $11 billion in investment and 35,000 permanent jobs along the tracks, among others.

Gallego was the co-chair of the campaign that helped pass the most recent Phoenix transit initiative in 2015, when she was a Phoenix councilwoman. 

Earlier this year, a group born out of opposition to a light-rail extension planned for south Phoenix collected enough signatures to put the light-rail system back on the ballot.

If Proposition 105 passes in August, the city will end all light-rail expansion in Phoenix and instead divert the city money to other transportation improvements, like buses and road repairs.

Opponents of light rail argue that the transit system is expensive for the relatively small group of people it serves. 

Some nearby businesses and homeowners have also reported increases in crime and transients after the rail system was installed. 

Gallego promoted light rail as essential for growth, sustainability, economic development and access to opportunity. 

"The light rail is not about whether you or I ride it every day. It's about making sure that all people have an equal chance at success," she said. 

She also spoke about another initiative that voters will weigh in on in August to change how Phoenix calculates its pension debt and require the city to spend almost all excess general fund revenue to pay down the debt.

Gallego called it "an investment cap initiative that will ensure the city can no longer invest in our future." 

"To get this funding back once it is cut will take generations. We must not let this happen," she said. 

Affordable housing, police and more

Gallego spent the remainder of her address announcing new initiatives and calling upon others to support her vision for the future of Phoenix.

The main topics she covered included:

Affordable housing

Gallego conceded that there are "areas of Phoenix that need more attention," particularly in the arena of workforce and affordable housing. 

Rents climbed at a near record pace in 2018, following several years of hefty increases. The result is nearly half of Phoenix-area renters are paying more than they can afford for housing, according to an Arizona Republic analysis. 

Gallego said low-wage earners can quickly face homelessness if hit with an unexpected expense. She noted that Phoenix is adding resources to prevent evictions and connect families with housing. 

But she made a not-so-subtle ask of Phoenix's neighboring cities — reminding them that housing and homelessness are regional problems. 

"We must recognize that every city and town should be doing their part to ensure services and housing are spread across the metro area and not just in one small area of one specific city," Gallego said. 

Police and mental health

The Phoenix Police Department has received criticism from community groups in recent months.

Last year, officers in the department shot a record number of people.

Gallego did not directly address the increase, but said, "our officers are constantly called upon to make decisions in an intense, compressed matter of seconds.

"Most often, we are the better for it. Sometimes, we need to look harder at what’s happening and why."

Gallego said she wants the city to hire clinicians to partner with officers to provide better mental and behavioral health solutions for residents.

"Both police officers and community leaders agree: Police should not be alone on the front lines of behavioral health response," she said. 

Rio Salado project

Gallego announced that she will create a task force to ensure that the "Rio Reimagined" project comes to fruition. 

The project is the continuation of a 50-year-old idea to transform the dry Salt riverbed into an economic and recreational asset that connects the Valley's cities. 

The 45-mile-long riverbed passes through six cities and two Native American reservations. 

"This means a lot of people from across the Valley will need to play nice for a long time and it will be worth it," Gallego said. 

She said the task force will transform the vision into a plan. 

Former Sen. John McCain and former Congressman Ed Pastor were fierce advocates of the redevelopment of the Rio Salado. Both leaders died last year. 

"The time is now to move this vision forward," Gallego said. 

Reach the reporter at jessica.boehm@gannett.com or 480-694-1823. Follow her on Twitter @jboehm_NEWS. 

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.