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Glendale lays out 2026 legislative priorities; staff warns of HR 1 revenue implications and food-tax ballot
Summary
Director Gina Carico presented Glendale’s 2026 legislative agenda emphasizing protection of local revenue, local decision-making, water and infrastructure, sober-living regulation, and support for Luke Air Force Base; she flagged potential city shared-revenue losses if the legislature conforms with federal HR 1 and explained the planned single-question food-tax ballot.
Glendale’s intergovernmental affairs director presented the city’s proposed 2026 legislative agenda at the Dec. 9 workshop, framing priorities around protecting local revenue and local control, infrastructure and water planning, responsible economic development and oversight of sober-living facilities.
Gina Carico said the city will use a set of broad principles, approved by mayor and council, to guide positions on bills and to engage lawmakers and partners at the federal, state and regional level. Carico emphasized the city’s approach of seeking compromise where possible and opposing proposals that diminish local authority.
Budget and ballot items: Carico warned of possible fiscal impacts should the state legislature fully conform to federal HR 1, providing an estimate of a $438 million general fund impact at the state level and an estimated reduction in shared revenue to Glendale of more than $3 million. She also described the upcoming ballot measure on the food tax, explaining the current plan is to put a single question before voters that would freeze existing food-tax rates and require voter approval for increases up to 2 percent; municipalities with food taxes under 2 percent could seek voter approval to raise to 2 percent.
Other items: Carico highlighted continued attention to sober-living home regulation (supporting licensure and accountability frameworks), potential debates over data-center incentives and statewide tax incentives, and the importance of Glendale’s delegation in leadership roles at the statehouse. Council members asked whether the ballot would be one question (Carico said yes, as presented) and whether election reforms are planned (she reported no immediate items on her radar but promised coordination with county election officials).
Ending: Upon majority council direction, staff will use these principles to guide lobbying and return with tailored positions as bills are introduced during the 2026 session.
