About MAG

Maricopa Association of Governments formed in 1967 when elected officials recognized the need for long range planning and policy development on a regional scale. They realized that issues such as transportation and air quality affected residents beyond the borders of their jurisdictions. Learn more about MAG's formation and designations.

MAG provides a forum for research, discussion and study of regional issues. MAG’s goal is to focus on regional coordination, local leadership, and applied research to strengthen the greater Phoenix area. MAG is based on the principle that local governments, which are closest to the people, should have the primary responsibility for addressing those local problems and needs. Read MAG's bylaws.

Safe & Smart
Travel

MAG leverages emerging technologies and is one of the nation's most sophisticated metropolitan planning organizations.

MAG plans for current and future transportation needs to provide safer and more efficient travel options for the region.

Environment & Sustainability

Protecting the environment has important implications for the air, land, animals, transportation, and economic development. MAG develops broad strategies to ensure that the MAG region grows clean through environmental planning and keep air and water clean for the people, animals, and land.

Improve
Quality of Life

Regional planning efforts to enhance people's quality of life include addressing homelessness, domestic violence, active transportation, human services transportation, and litter prevention. MAG prioritizes building communities that work for people of all ages and disabilities. Together, these efforts ensure people can live whole, vibrant, and safe lives.

Economy &
Growth

Robust transportation infrastructure and vital analytical tools stimulate trade and investment in the region. These tools help the region to compete more successfully in the global marketplace. MAG develops robust analytics in business, international trade, and transportation planning that drive and support economic development. The priority is to plan a future with better jobs and an economy for all.

Efficient & Effective Operations

MAG understands its responsibility to be good stewards of the public trust and ensure the utmost value for every public dollar. We respect and appreciate our member agencies and partners' time and energy dedicated to our shared work. We strive to use these resources wisely and to deliver maximum value. We work to ensure operation in a transparent, highly performing, ethical, and financially responsible manner.

Resources &
Agency Information

• Key Resources
• Policy Principles
• Agency Overview Booklet
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Member Agencies

In Maricopa County, local government cooperation in the early 1960's resulted in the completion of the multi-city sewage treatment plant at 91st Avenue. This occurred prior to federal and state initiatives and incentives for regional planning and cooperation.

Changes in the Federal Aid Highway Act led to cooperative transportation planning with the creation of the Valley Area Traffic and Transportation Study (VATTS). Continuing federal government decentralization initiatives led to the establishment of federal regions. Their goals were bringing federal programs to the people and incorporating greater review of federal programs through the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act.

These changing federal policies that required more local planning and review, and the demonstrated success of previous regional efforts led local governments in Maricopa County to form MAG in 1967. It was designed to be a nonprofit corporation to act as the vehicle to address areas of common regional interest. At the first MAG meeting, the consensus of the Regional Council was that the areas of water, air pollution and solid waste disposal were of primary concern. It was also agreed that there was a need for the standardization of building materials and for public works specifications. In addition, the transportation planning efforts that began with VATTS were incorporated into the scope of MAG's work. Several key events in the early history of MAG are outlined below:

• Regional cooperation was encouraged by success of multi-city sewage system in the early 1960s.
• The 1962 Federal Aid Highway Act required regional transportation planning, which resulted in the formation of the Valley Area Traffic and Transportation Area Study (VATTS) on March 12, 1965.
• The 1965 Federal Housing Act Amendments and 1966 Metropolitan Development Act provided legal and financial impetus for a full-fledged regional agency.
• MAG was formed in 1967 by concurrent resolutions from its member agencies to foster regional cooperation and to address regional problems.
• VATTS was incorporated into MAG in 1967.
• Executive Order 70-2 established six Planning Districts in Arizona in 1970.
• MAG designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) by the governor in 1973.
• MAG designated as the Water Quality Planning Agency by the governor in 1975.
• MAG designated as the Lead Air Quality Planning Agency by the governor in 1978.
• MAG designated as the Solid Waste Planning Agency in 1979.