League Municipal Policy Statement 2026

The following legislative priorities for the 2026
legislative session reflect the collective voice
of Arizona’s cities and towns. In addition
to our core principles of (1) preserving local 
decision making and (2) protecting state shared
revenue, these items serve as a foundation for
this session’s legislative advocacy:
HOUSING & COMMUNITY LIVABILITY  
Cities and towns are committed to designing and supporting
local policies that can lead to attainable housing options for 
residents across income levels while preserving quality of life
in neighborhoods. As the state’s population grows and housing
affordability challenges intensify, municipalities seek greater 
authority and flexibility to address these local concerns. 
Short-Term Rentals: Empower municipalities to regulate the 
proliferation of short-term rentals and take meaningful action
against repeat violators. Clarifying enforcement mechanisms
and strengthening local authority will help cities balance property
rights and local tourism with neighborhood stability. 
Neglected and Historic Properties: Municipalities must be 
able to address the deterioration of vacant, abandoned, or 
historically significant buildings. Establishing clear statutory 
authority to enforce upkeep and adopt property-specific 
standards will promote public safety, protect community 
character, and encourage revitalization. 
Annexation Streamlining: Simplifying annexation processes 
for properties under single ownership or a common ownership
group will eliminate unnecessary procedural barriers and 
facilitate thoughtful community planning, infrastructure 
coordination, and service delivery.   
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & 
BUDGET FLEXIBILITY  
Municipalities are essential partners in driving economic 
growth and maintaining public infrastructure. The League 
supports efforts to enhance financial tools and modernize 
statutory frameworks so cities and towns can respond to 
economic opportunities and evolving community needs. 
Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Arizona remains one of the 
few states without broad TIF authority. Providing municipalities 
with access to this tool while preserving existing constitutional 
and fiscal safeguards would unlock significant private investment,
especially in blighted and underutilized areas. 
Mid-Year Budget Adjustments: Amending state law to permit 
mid-year budget adjustments under Home Rule authority will 
allow cities and towns to remain fiscally responsive in dynamic
economic conditions, particularly during emergencies or periods
of rapid revenue change. 
GOOD GOVERNANCE & 
PROCESS INTEGRITY   
The League supports policies that improve the fairness, clarity, and
functionality of local governance procedures. 
Candidate Committee Termination: Authorize the termination 
of a candidate committee when the candidate is deceased to 
promote administrative efficiency. 
Election Conformity: Support efforts to ensure that cities and 
towns call elections to renew sales tax rates in conformance with 
the state’s even-year schedule to prevent lapses in revenue. 
PSPRS: Monitor legislative proposals related to the Public 
Safety Personnel Retirement System to safeguard employer 
and employee interests.
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns remains committed to collaborative, 
constructive engagement with lawmakers to advance the shared interests
of Arizona’s communities. These priorities represent a unified municipal voice
and reflect the League’s mission to strengthen cities and towns through 
advocacy, education, and partnership.

•
Population: 106,179 (2025 est.)
– 13th largest city in Arizona
•
First city incorporated since
Tusayan in 2010 (Pop. 558)
•
Located in Legislative District 15
and Congressional District 5
Welcome San Tan Valley
Arizona’s 92nd Municipality!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 602-258-5786
VISIT: WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG • X/INSTAGRAM: @AZCITIES
R
S - Senator
- Representative
R
S Shawnna Bolick (R)
Stephanie Simacek (D), Justin Wilmeth (R)
Phoenix
02
R
S John Kavanagh (R)
Joseph Chaplik (R), Alexander Kolodin (R)
Carefree, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, 
Phoenix, Scottsdale 
03
J.D. Mesnard (R)
Jeff Weninger (R), Julie Willoughby (R)
Chandler, Gilbert 
R
S
13
Warren Petersen (R)
Laurin Hendrix (R), Khyl Powell (R)
Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek 
R
S
14
Jake Hoffman (R)
Neal Carter (R), Michael Way (R)
Florence, Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley
R
S
15
T.J. Shope (R)
Chris Lopez (R), Teresa Martinez (R)
Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, 
Maricopa, Tucson
R
S
16
Vince Leach (R)
Rachel Jones (R), Kevin Volk  (D)
Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson 
R
S
17
Priya Sundareshan (D)
Nancy Gutierrez (D), Christopher Mathis (D)
Oro Valley, Tucson 
R
S
18
David Gowan (R)
Lupe Diaz (R), Gail Griffin (R)
Benson, Clifton, Douglas, Duncan, Huachuca City,
Patagonia, Pima, Safford, Sahuarita, Sierra Vista, 
Thatcher, Tombstone, Tucson, Willcox 
R
S
19
Sally Ann Gonzales (D)
Alma Hernandez (D), Betty J. Villegas (D)
South Tucson, Tucson
R
S
20
Mitzi Epstein (D)
Patty Contreras  (D), Stacey Travers (D)
Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe 
R
S
12
Catherine Miranda (D)
Oscar De Los Santos (D), Junelle Cavero (D)
Guadalupe, Phoenix 
R
S
11
Mark Finchem (R)
Selina Bliss (R), Quang Nguyen (R)
Camp Verde, Chino Valley, Clarkdale, 
Cottonwood, Dewey-Humboldt, Jerome, 
Peoria, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona 
R
S
01
R
S
Matt Gress (R), Pamela Carter (R)
Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale  
Carine Werner (R)
04
Lela Alston (D)
Sarah Liguori (D), Aaron Márquez (D)
Phoenix  
R
S
05
Theresa Hatathlie (D)
Mae Peshlakai (D), Myron Tsosie (D)
Eagar, Flagstaff, Fredonia, Holbrook, Page, 
Springerville, St. Johns, Tusayan, Winslow 
R
S
06
Wendy Rogers (R)
Walt Blackman (R), David Marshall Sr. (R)
Apache Junction, Flagstaff, Florence, Globe, Hayden, 
Holbrook, Kearny, Mammoth, Miami, Payson, 
Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, Snowflake, Star Valley, 
Superior, Taylor, Williams, Winkelman  
R
S
07
Lauren Kuby (D)
Janeen Connolly (D), Brian Garcia (D)
Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe   
R
S
08
 Kiana Sears (D)
Lorena Austin (D), Seth Blattman (D)
Mesa, Tempe
R
S
09
David Farnsworth (R)
Ralph Heap (R), Justin Olson (R)
Apache Junction, Mesa
R
S
10
Tim Dunn (R)
Michael Carbone (R), Nick Kupper (R)
Buckeye, Glendale, Goodyear, Surprise, 
Wellton, Yuma 
R
S
25
Rosanna Gabaldón (D)
Consuelo Hernandez (D),
Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton (D)
Bisbee, Nogales, Sahuarita, Tucson
R
S
21
Eva Diaz (D)
Lupe Contreras (D), Elda Luna-Nájera (D)
Avondale, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, 
Tolleson
R
S
22
Brian Fernandez (D)
Michele Peña (R), Mariana Sandoval (D)
Buckeye, Gila Bend, Goodyear, San Luis, 
Somerton, Wellton, Yuma 
R
S
23
Analise Ortiz (D) 
Anna Abeytia (D), Lydia Hernandez (D)
Glendale, Phoenix
R
S
24
Flavio Bravo (D)
Cesar Aguilar (D), Quantá Crews (D)
Glendale, Phoenix 
R
S
26
Kevin Payne (R)
Lisa Fink (R), Tony Rivero (R)
Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix
R
S
27
Frank P. Carroll (R)
David Livingston (R), Beverly Pingerelli (R)
Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise 
R
S
28
Janae Shamp (R)
Steve Montenegro (R), James Taylor (R)
El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, 
Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, 
Youngtown
R
S
29
Hildy Angius (R)
Leo Biasiucci (R), John Gillette (R)
Bullhead City, Colorado City, Kingman, 
Lake Havasu City, Parker, Quartzsite, 
Wickenburg
R
S
30