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Stanton said his support will be contingent on ... it is built without raising taxes

Stanton specifically referenced a bill Gov. Doug Ducey has signed into law that allows state leaders to withhold state-shared revenue from cities if the attorney general determines a city or county has passed a regulation that conflicts with state law.

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Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton in State of the City: Cheering an arena, blasting Arizona leaders

Dustin Gardiner, The Republic | azcentral.com 4:58 p.m. MST April 19, 2016

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton used his most visible stage of the year on Tuesday to lay out his vision for how Arizona's capital city is leading the state — and he chastised state political leaders for not getting on board.

Stanton delivered his fifth State of the City speech before a crowd of hundreds of business and political leaders at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel in downtown in the early afternoon.

Here are three highlights from his remarks: Call for Suns-Coyotes arena downtown

As expected, the biggest announcement of Stanton's address was his support for pursuing a deal to build a downtown sports and entertainment arena that would be shared by the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Coyotes.

The mayor's comments were an explicit push for the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League franchises to negotiate on a joint-use facility. Although the concept has been debated for months, Stanton's comments signaled a new sense of urgency.

“Building two new sports arenas in our region simply doesn’t make fiscal or common sense.” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton

"I as mayor will do everything I can to pursue a course that makes a new facility home to the Suns, the Mercury and the Coyotes," Stanton said, noting the WNBA franchise as well. "Building two new sports arenas in our region simply doesn’t make fiscal or common sense."

The Coyotes are looking to exit their tumultuous relationship with the neighboring suburb of Glendale. Meanwhile, the Suns want a new home to replace the city-owned Talking Stick Resort Arena, among the oldest in the NBA.

Stanton said his support will be contingent on two principles: that a new arena brings more people and events downtown and that it is built without raising taxes.

Phoenix already has a permanent tourism tax on hotel and motel stays and car rentals. Phoenix is in the process of selling the city-owned Sheraton hotel and the Translational Genomics Research Institute building downtown, projects supported by the tourism tax. By getting those buildings off its books, Phoenix could potentially free up revenue to help pay for a new stadium.

But Stanton's aspirations for a new arena face many obstacles. City Councilman Jim Waring, who attended the speech, said he's doubtful taxpayers will support the proposal, which would require a vote by Phoenix residents.

"This will add to the collective tax burden," Waring said. "We have lost, I think, the central focus of what cities are supposed to do."

Meanwhile, David Krietor, president of Downtown Phoenix Inc., a non-profit development group, said Stanton's push for a joint-use arena “makes a lot of sense." Krietor said it’s “inconceivable” that the Suns would leave the city's core.

“If that arena can book 250 nights a year, it just adds to the vitality,” he said. Criticizes state for 'war on cities'

From the outset, Stanton's speech focused heavily on the theme that Phoenix has led when politicians at the state level have failed Arizona, from their response to the Great Recession to relations with Mexico and issues of LGBT rights. Stanton, a Democrat, has often clashed with Republicans in power at the state Capitol.

"Great things are happening in our cities," Stanton said. "Despite that, maybe even because of that, the state Legislature continues to wage a war on cities."

Stanton specifically referenced a bill Gov. Doug Ducey has signed into law that allows state leaders to withhold state-shared revenue from cities if the attorney general determines a city or county has passed a regulation that conflicts with state law.

The bill stems from clashes between cities and states over minimum wage, paid sick time and regulations on guns, plastic grocery bags and even dog breeders. Phoenix and other Valley cities have blasted legislation aimed at pre-empting local ordinances on these issues. State lawmakers have said they're intervening to protect businesses and residents from overreaching local governments.

"Well, here's what I say to the legislators who voted for that bill: The city of Phoenix, we’re not the problem," Stanton said. "In fact, we are the solution, and instead of interfering with progress, learn from us. We are leading on the economy, on human rights."

Emphasis on police body cameras

Stanton's speech also waded into a budget fight taking shape at Phoenix City Hall. City Manager Ed Zuercher's proposed budget includes $11.4 million to equip every patrol officer with a body-worn camera over the next three fiscal years.

However, some City Council members have said the city should instead use the money to hire more officers or restore compensation cuts officers have taken.

"Body cameras help keep our officers and the public safe, and I support the plan to make it a priority to have body cameras on every patrol officer in the city of Phoenix," Stanton said. "Cameras are not a panacea, but ASU researchers show that they work."

The city already plans to hire more police, including about 300 officers this year, Stanton said. But some residents and political leaders have said the city should be doing more and providing better compensation for first responders.

Republic reporter Brenna Goth contributed to this article.