Tucson Residents for Responsive Government (TRRG, pronounced “trig”) is an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for the City of Tucson’s largest stakeholder group: City residents and their city-registered neighborhood associations.
TRRG takes an active role in advocating for effective, participatory government.
TRRG makes an impact when it:
- Cooperates with City officials, staff and other stakeholders to find solutions to problems
- Initiates solutions to problems that are identified within City government
- Researches what works in comparable municipalities
- Gathers data to justify policy changes
- Produces materials to facilitate public processes and enhance public knowledge
- Speaks at public hearings and Mayor/Council Call-to-the-Audience to keep relevant topics in the public view
- Volunteers to serve on City boards, commissions and committees
History of Tucson Residents for Responsive Government
TRRG formed in 2013 in response to City processes that did not effectively include the voices of its residents. In response to demands for new development and services for a fast-growing population and the need to cut budgets during a recession, Mayor/Council eliminated two departments: Neighborhood Resources and Urban Planning and Design. The 2013 General Plan did not include any specific policies to address Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization. The formation of TRRG in 2013-14 was a reaction to that neglect. The statement, “This We Believe”, which encompasses a set of core principles, was adopted by the group of residents who formed Tucson Residents for Responsive Government, in 2014. TRRG’s post-pandemic re-establishment in 2022 is a continuing commitment to advocate for City actions which address the best interests of City residents and neighborhoods.
We believe that engagement/collaboration is essential when City of Tucson action directly impacts our neighborhoods or our quality of life. The City needs policies which mandate early community involvement, and meaningful public input, in any code or policy decisions that affect the quality of life for Tucson’s residents, before changes are implemented. This includes such things as rezonings, new development, sale/lease of streets/alleys, new point of liquor sales, or neighborhood preservation. It also includes any actions that involve public spaces, transportation or resources. We expect City government to include us in regular reviews and monitoring of the effectiveness of its policies and procedures. We want to feel confident that our neighborhood area plans, historic designations, and any agreements, past or present, will be respected by City staff and any firms contracted by the City.
To this end, TRRG has conducted workshops, trainings, and forums and written publications to help residents amplify their voices to ensure that the City of Tucson’s policies, processes and practices respect our residents and their input.
TRRG has recognized the need to evolve and adapt to changing conditions. A Core Team of dedicated residents responds to these changing conditions, by continuing to provide educational forums and informational emails and publications, while always expecting our government to adhere to the Five Essentials of Good Government.
TRRG Mission
TRRG’s mission is two-fold:
- To empower residents and their neighborhood associations to have a meaningful, knowledgeable voice when engaged with the city in making decisions which directly impact them
- To call for the City of Tucson to display the Five Essentials of Good Government when interacting with its residents: Integrity, Transparency, Accountability, Collaboration, Sensitivity to Quality of Life.
TRRG Vision
As advocates for good governance, TRRG envisions a time when all neighborhoods will have residents knowledgeable of city processes who can advocate for themselves and a time when the City of Tucson’s policies, processes, and practices will respect the quality of life for all residents.
We believe
People have a right to be involved in decisions which affect them and their community.
True community involvement is dependent on: timely notice, transparency, accuracy, access to information, opportunity for input, and balanced consideration of the facts.
Trust in City government, which is essential, is built on open, honest, respectful, equitable, and inclusive processes and procedures.
Residents have a right to a basic quality of life which includes an expectation that government will be responsible for community health and safety, will honor our history, and will respect our sense of place.
Tucson Residents for Responsive Government 