In the annual “State of the City” address on Tuesday, Mayor Greg Stanton said he believes Phoenix’s future is bright.
City council representatives, key business partners, stakeholders in the Phoenix community and the general public filled the ballroom at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel to hear Mayor Stanton’s commentary.
Stanton praised the city council for its relentless effort to set the city on the right track when it was left in shambles after the recession.
“Not even a decade ago the great recession shook us to our knees,” Stanton said. “Today Phoenix has emerged stronger than ever.”
Stanton said Phoenix is leading the economic charge in Arizona, with a better credit rating than the state itself.
Thanks to the revitalized economy, the city now boasts a 4.6 percent unemployment rate, significantly down from the 8 percent it was when Stanton took office nearly four years ago and well below the state average of 5.5 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While the tone of Stanton’s speech was positive overall, he said the Legislature is waging war on the city by passing a law that threatens to cut funding for public safety.
“We’re not the problem, we’re the solution. Instead of interfering with our progress, learn from us,” Stanton said. “Work with us, not against us.”
Stanton spoke in support of the legislature for pushing controversial education funding plan Proposition 123 forward. Prop. 123 aims to inject $3.5 billion into the K-12 education system through increased payouts from the state’s permanent land trust and $625 million from the state’s general fund. The proposition will be up for a statewide vote on May 17.
Stanton said Prop. 123 is not perfect, but it’s the first step in putting resources back into public schools where it belongs. Phoenix is ranked nearly last in per-pupil spending, according to a U.S. Census Bureau’s Public Education Finances report from 2013, a statistic that Stanton said has to change in order for the economy to continue to advance.
Stanton said as economic growth continues, it is crucial to invest in proper infrastructure, such as an expanded light rail, to ensure that people across the city have access to the new wealth of businesses and schools.
An extensive transportation system is also important to the mayor because it advances his commitment to shaping a sustainable and environmentally aware future for the city of Phoenix, Stanton said.
Stanton also addressed the Phoenix Suns’ desire for a new home in the near future. As a Suns fan, the mayor said he believes the team is vital to the downtown community. He said he aims to have an arena that will host not only the Suns and Phoenix Mercury, but the Arizona Coyotes hockey team as well.
“A new arena must not only keep the existing activities we have, but bring new events, new people to downtown,” Stanton said. However, Stanton said he would not support an arena plan that raises taxes.
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Stanton said Phoenix needs to keep the good momentum going.
“Phoenix, we don’t have a second to waste so let’s roll up our sleeves, and let’s get to it,” Stanton said. “Thank you for being partners to the city.”
Todd Sanders, director of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, introduced the mayor to a full audience.
“Thanks to his visionary leadership, our city has continued to grow positively and proactively,” he said. “Our economy has gained strength and vibrancy and will continue to do so in the years to come.”
Contact the reporter at Ava.Montoya@asu.edu.
