Urge Gov. Hobbs not to undo Phoenix shopping-cart law

Ann O’Brien

Submitted photo/City of Phoenix

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Readers are invited to write us at yourvalley.net/letters or AzOpinions@iniusa.org to share your thoughts on legislation regarding abandoned shopping carts. Please limit your letter to 300 words or less, and include your name, city and contact number in your email.

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OPINION — Something urgent is happening at the State Capitol that directly affects the health, safety and appearance of our neighborhoods.

I led the push for Phoenix to update our shopping-cart ordinance because so many residents spoke up about the abandoned carts cluttering alleys, sidewalks, bus stops and front yards. These carts block walkways, create hazards and contribute to a sense of disorder in places we all care deeply about.

Our ordinance held retailers accountable for keeping their carts secured and retrieving them promptly when they leave store property. And it worked.

Since the ordinance went into effect, abandoned carts dropped by an incredible 94%. That’s not a small improvement, it’s a community success story built on resident feedback, data tracking and collaboration with retailers who were part of the solution.

This month, the Legislature sent HB 2460 to the governor’s office. If signed, this bill would undo Phoenix’s shopping-cart ordinance entirely. It would:

• Eliminate the city’s ability to maintain the successful retrieval program.
• Prevent future collaboration with retailers on responsible cart management.
• Increase costs for taxpayers.
• Raise operating costs for retailers.
• Bring back the blight and safety hazards we’ve finally been able to reduce.

Recovery fees fund the program, and with its success, the city plans to lower those costs. Losing this ordinance now would take us backward.

This is where your voice matters. Decisions like this should include the people who live with the consequences: Us. Call the governor's office at 602‑542‑4331 or email khobbs@az.gov.

Ann O’Brien represents District 1 on the Phoenix City Council. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.