A task force assembled by Gov. Jan Brewer to simplify Arizona’s complicated sales tax system completed its work and is ready to send its recommendations to the governor.

Surrounded by food trucks, mural artists and 200 boxed trees, Mayor Greg Stanton announced plans Monday to transform a 15-acre midtown lot into a place for growing crops, displaying artwork and holding public gatherings.

The race is on to woo voters for a slate of ballot measures passed by the 50th Legislature on property taxes, government financing, trust land and states’ rights.

Some of the seven propositions on the November 2012 ballot have dry subjects that might be difficult to grasp, making it all the more important for backers to get organized and present a coherent message, said David Berman, a professor at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute of Public Policy.

The Goldwater Institute, a think tank known for its dogged pursuit of conservative ideals, laid down an ambitious — and combative — agenda at the state Capitol this year.

With state finances on the sunny side, cities and towns hope to convince lawmakers to relieve some of the budget pressures on local governments.

And it appears legislators are listening.

While Arizona has endured one of longest and deepest recessions in American history, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns has stepped forward to be a strong partner with Gov. Jan Brewer and state lawmakers as they sought solutions to reverse our fiscal crisis.

Arizona’s 91 cities and towns cut their spending by nearly 30 percent on average. We have responded to this crisis by doing more with less.

GOP lawmakers’ annual battle with cities over what’s best for local government may be moving from the Legislature to the ballot box.

Longtime Senate Rules attorney Joni Hoffman is leaving the Legislature to become the in-house counsel for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

Municipalities fear that without restrictions, the roughly 120 marijuana dispensaries that would be allowed to open if Proposition 203 passes could cluster in cities or be placed near churches, parks, community centers and even drug-treatment facilities.

The Arizona Legislature is advancing a bill that would allow churches anywhere non-religious groups are permitted to operate, despite opposition from city officials who fear the bill would create a host of practical and legal problems.