LIGHT RAIL AT LAST ! !

A.P. Photo / Ross D. Franklin

"It is easy to look at light rail as just another transportation option in a Valley that is crying out for transportation options.  But it's more than that.

"And it's easy to think of light rail as a way to keep our air a little cleaner and our freeways a little less congested.  But it's more than that, too.

"These 20 miles of light rail will move us from the East Valley, to the West Valley connecting people, campuses and communities.  And those 20 miles are serving as a new economic engine -- a quiet, non-polluting economic engine igniting investment and development that will be felt from Page to Nogales.

"So the question today isn't, 'should we have built this'?  Today, the question is, 'how soon can we build more'?

Click here to read full text of Mayor's remarks

 Mayor Announces 3-Point Plan

 "Phoenixhas a long and well-deserved reputation for managing its budget.  Our bond rating continues to be the highest in the nation.  We plan farther ahead than any other city I know of.  While most cities look 2 or 3 years down the road, we look 10 or more.  And even in difficult economic times, we weather the storm better than most because of the way we conduct the people's business. 

"It's no secret that the national and global economies are struggling.  And even as an "administration-in-waiting" devotes its attention to addressing the economic crisis in the new year Phoenix, once again, strives to stay in front of the curve.

"That's why I have announced the Phoenix WPA -- 'Work Projects Advancement' which, like the WPA of another era, will employ thousands of people, generate millions of new tax dollars and jump start a local and state economy that could really use it.  Phoenix WPA is a 3-point plan that has already been implemented.

"If you want to jump-start the economy, the cities can get it done in a quicker, more efficient way."

To read complete text of Mayor's remarks, click here.