Marana rejects downtown project referendum petition; group behind the petition files lawsuit
A group challenging Marana's downtown development project has filed a lawsuit after the town rejected their referendum petition.Summary
Arizonans for Responsible Development, sponsored by Worker Power, filed a lawsuit against the town of Marana after their petition to put the downtown development project to a voter referendum was rejected. The group collected over 2,000 signatures, which the town verified, but the town clerk rejected the petition itself. Town Manager Terry Rozema stated the decision was based on advice from an election law expert, who determined the agreement wasn’t ‘legislative in nature’ and therefore not subject to referendum. The project involves a lease and development agreement for 20 acres, with the town potentially reimbursing the developer $84 million through tax reimbursements. The project is now on hold pending the court's decision on the lawsuit, which will determine whether the issue goes before voters.
(Source：Kgun 9)