January 18, 2014

The Honorable Jan Brewer

Members of the Legislature

1700 West Washington

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Dear Governor Brewer & State Legislators:

We, the citizens of Litchfield Park, are very concerned over the loss of Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) over the past several years. Since 2001, over $1.7 billion has been diverted from HURF to pay for other government programs. Now is the time to stop these transfers.

When HURF funds are properly invested in transporation projects, it provides jobs; it improves our state and local infastructure, and makes Arizona more competitive with other states. Taxpayers have a right to expect their gas tax funds to be used for transportation improvements.

The City of Litchfield Park has lost $231,750 in HURF revenues due to the sweeping of funds to DPS over the past 10 years. The lost revenue necessitated cutbacks in Litchfield Park's Pavement Management Program, and therefore caused road maintenance delays. Such delays have cost the City of Litchfield Park significant operating funds, as delays of preventative maintenance projects turn into reconstruction projects, which are higher in cost.

While much of the funding shortfall can be directly attributed to the growing inadequacy of current revenue streams and the need to modernize how we pay for our roads and highways, legislative transfers have significantly contributed to the problem. To help boost our economic competitiveness and improve the everyday lives of our citizens, we, the residents of Litchfield Park, urge you to eliminate the fund sweeps and return to the statutory funding formula distribution of HURF revenues to ADOT, counties, cities and towns.

Thank you for your consideration.