Jean Stockton’s View
County Funding Redistribution
- Misconception about funding cuts: Jean clarifies that county incorporation doesn’t mean Pinal County will completely cut off funding to San Tan Valley
- Money stays in county: County funds may be redirected to other areas within Pinal County, such as Maricopa, Casa Grande, or Florence
- Indirect benefits possible: Redirected funds could support regional projects that benefit San Tan Valley, like the North-South Freeway or alternative roadways including a Pinal roadway that would divert traffic away from Ganzel and Hunt Highway, with roads like Bella Vista, Arizona Farms Road, and Ganzel feeding back to the area
- County tax obligations continue: San Tan Valley residents will still pay county taxes and the county retains responsibilities to the area
Fair Distribution of County Resources
- Equity concerns for other communities: Jean questions whether it’s fair for Pinal County to concentrate significant spending in unincorporated San Tan Valley while other incorporated communities have needs
- Maricopa’s infrastructure challenges: Maricopa has only one main road (347) connecting to the Phoenix area with a terrible intersection at Briggs Highway that needs improvement
- Resource allocation comparison: San Tan Valley has two main access roads while Maricopa has one, suggesting other communities may deserve funding priority
State-Level Funding Challenges
- Systematic funding cuts: State budget issues consistently result in pulled funding for regional projects like the North-South Freeway and Highway 347 improvements, with the governor specifically pulling funds that would come from the state to Pinal County
- Maricopa County favoritism: Jean argues that Maricopa County has become “the state of Maricopa in the state of Arizona” and receives the funding it needs while Pinal County communities do without
- Political representation gap: As an unincorporated community of 120,000 people, San Tan Valley lacks the political voice needed to advocate for state funding
Benefits of Incorporation for Political Advocacy
- Enhanced representation: Incorporation would give San Tan Valley’s 120,000 residents a stronger collective voice at the state level
- Reduced reliance on individual representatives: While acknowledging they are lucky to have Neil Carter who lives in the area and tries to represent them, Jean argues it’s time for 120,000 people to represent themselves rather than relying solely on one representative
- Breaking the cycle of neglect: Incorporation could help San Tan Valley escape being overlooked by state officials who may not understand local needs and as the Jean noted, “the state, they probably don’t leave central Phoenix” to visit the area