Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn is praising state legislators for passing an $18 billion state budget that includes funding for Interstate 10 widening through the city.
“The state budget agreement fully protects funding for the widening of I-10 from Citrus Road to [State Route] 85, a critical project that will improve safety, mobility and quality life for our residents,” Orsborn stated on the city’s social media page.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community partners, stakeholders and West Valley legislative leaders.”
He also thanked the “hundreds” of residents who contacted state legislators to retain the funding.
Orsborn and other city leaders spent months urging residents to contact legislators to support project funding, which for a time appeared to be threatened by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
The $146 million plan would increase traffic capacity from Citrus Road to SR 85 by adding a High Occupancy Vehicle travel lane, as well as adding a concrete median barrier and lighting where applicable, according to the City of Buckeye.
The city has already begun preparing for the project with work on interchanges through the area - the most notable of which is Exit 121 at Jackrabbit Trail, where major reconstruction will see improved traffic flow from Indian School Road south to McDowell Road and beyond.
This is a long-awaited move for traffic improvement in the area.
In 2023, the legislature approved $108 million for the project which was initially planned for 2025 the funding was pushed back to 2028. City officials said it marked “the first delay in advancing these critical improvements.”
Since the original cost estimate, construction costs have risen to an estimated $146 million.
Buckeye’s state officials this year accelerated the proposed funding schedule, appropriating $133 million over three fiscal years (2026 - 2028), according to Buckeye city officials.
The current state funding schedule is as follows:
Fiscal Year 2026: $27 million
Fiscal Year 2027: $30 million
Fiscal Year 2028: $76 million
Additionally, Buckeye and the Maricopa Association of Governments have committed a combined $10 million in local and regional funding toward the project.
More on the budget
Hobbs, who has said she plans to sign the budget, called the bipartisan spending plan a “balanced budget agreement” that will put Arizona first and “deliver opportunity, security and freedom to communities throughout the state.”
“With this agreement, we are delivering a $1.4 billion tax cut for working class families, investing in job creation, education and water security while tightening our belts, and securing a moratorium on the data center tax exemption so we can develop a responsible path forward that protects our water future and lowers utility bills for Arizona families,” Hobbs stated in a prepared statement to media outlets.
A statement issued by Arizona House Republicans outlines significant tax relief, spending controls and government reforms while preserving school choice and funding public safety programs.
Key parts of the spending plan
- Major tax relief package: Republicans characterize the $1.43 billion tax package as one of the largest in Arizona history, with benefits targeted toward workers, families and retirees.
- No tax on tips or overtime: If enacted, Arizona would join a growing number of states pursuing tax exemptions for tips and overtime earnings.
- Spending growth remains positive: While Republicans emphasize spending restraint, state spending would still increase by 3.1%, though at a slower pace than population growth and inflation.
- School choice protected: Full funding for the ESA program represents a significant Republican priority and is likely to remain a point of debate among education advocates and critics.
- Public assistance reforms likely to spark discussion: Changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility procedures could reduce enrollment among ineligible recipients but may draw criticism from groups concerned about access to benefits.
- Government downsizing measures: The elimination of 1,000 unfunded positions and sale of state-owned office space are intended to reduce long-term operating costs.
- Public safety funding preserved: Continued correctional officer stipends and additional law enforcement funding indicate public safety remains a budget priority despite broader spending restraints.
- Political victory claim: Republicans are framing the budget as evidence they secured conservative policy goals despite sharing power with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
- Potential impact on taxpayers: Supporters argue the package will leave households with more disposable income amid continued concerns over housing, childcare, insurance and food costs.
- Next question: The long-term fiscal impact will depend on whether future state revenues remain strong enough to sustain the tax reductions while funding growing demands for education, infrastructure and public services.
