🏛️ Library Shuffle & Budget Battles: The $90 Million Question Facing Tucson Taxpayers | BUCKMASTER
Pima County's Wells Fargo building purchase reveals the brutal mathematics of maintaining public services in austerity America
Based on the Buckmaster Show for 6/4/25, a daily radio show in Tucson, AZ, interviewing local newsmakers. Analysis and opinions are my own.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
The Buckmaster radio show talked about Tucson getting some much-needed rain 🌧️ and how the city government is trying to solve big problems with not enough money 💰❌. A city council member named Kevin Dahl wants to replace loud, dangerous fireworks with cool drone light shows 🎆🚫➡️🚁✨ and thinks rich people should pay more taxes to help schools and roads 🏫🛣️💵.
Meanwhile, a school expert explained how the president fired lots of people who help schools get money, making it even harder for teachers to do their jobs 👨🏫🚫📈. Both guests showed that even when things look tough, people can work together to find creative solutions 🤝💡—like Dahl's neighborhood table where people share free stuff with each other 🎉📦.
🗝️ Takeaways
🌧️ Tucson received its first substantial rain (half-inch) in months, highlighting severe drought conditions
💰 Pima County purchased the Wells Fargo building for $6.2M to avoid $90M library renovation costs
🎆 Councilman Dahl advocates replacing dangerous July 4th fireworks with drone/laser shows
🏫 The Trump administration eliminated 1,300 Department of Education jobs (25% of workforce)
📊 Arizona's flat tax and voucher systems are draining municipal and education budgets
👥 Teachers at Basis Tucson North unionized, but "right-to-work" laws limit their power
🛣️ Grant Road construction reflects broader RTA mismanagement and funding shortfalls
⚡ Tucson exploring public power options as an alternative to TEP monopoly
📋 TUSD planning override election for teacher salaries amid declining state support
🤝 Dahl's neighborhood "free table" demonstrates grassroots resource sharing success
Desert Drops, Drone Dreams, and Departmental Demolition: Buckmaster's Wednesday Wake-Up Call
Picture this: It's June in the Sonoran Desert, where the sun typically treats precipitation like a vampire treats garlic, and suddenly—miracle of miracles—half an inch of rain graces our drought-stricken landscape.
"It was a nice steady rain. Very gentle. And it just lasted for what, a couple of hours?" mused show producer Tom Fairbanks, as if describing a unicorn sighting.
For context, dear readers, this meteorological marvel represents approximately 100% of our annual rainfall delivered in one generous gulp—a fact that should terrify anyone paying attention to climate change but apparently delights radio hosts discussing desert gardening.
Bill Buckmaster's Wednesday midweek edition captured this rare aquatic anomaly before diving headfirst into the churning waters of local politics, featuring two guests who painted a sobering portrait of communities under siege: Tucson City Councilman Kevin Dahl navigating municipal budget battles. At the same time, Trump's federal bulldozers demolish educational infrastructure, and Dr. Robert Hendricks explains how 1,300 Department of Education employees got pink-slipped in the name of "efficiency."
Because nothing says "Make America Great Again" like systematically destroying the institutions that actually educate Americans.
Councilman Kevin Dahl: Fighting the Good Fight in a Flat-Tax Wasteland
Kevin Dahl arrives at the microphone, carrying impressive credentials: former Arizona Representative for the National Conservation Association, executive director of Native Seed Search, and author of books on desert botany. His ethnobotany degree (studying how humans use plants for survival) seems particularly relevant as communities scramble to survive the systematic starvation of public services.
The Library Shuffle: When Real Estate Meets Reality
The conversation opened with Pima County's $6.2 million acquisition of the former Wells Fargo building to house the main library—a move that sounds fiscally responsible until you learn the alternative was spending "$90 million" renovating the current Joel D. Valdez library.
As Dahl explained, "We own the building in Jacome Plaza, and we own the parking garage underneath. It's prime real estate right in the middle of downtown, right across from the historic Pima Courthouse."
Translation: Tucson just inherited a downtown development opportunity that could either become a community asset or another monument to bureaucratic paralysis. Place your bets accordingly.
Budget Blues and the Brutal Math of Municipal Finance
Dahl's discussion of Tucson's "2.4 billion with a B city budget" revealed the schizophrenic nature of modern municipal finance: celebrating balanced budgets while watching revenue streams evaporate thanks to state-level ideological warfare.
"What I don't like about it is that our funding from the state, we have state shared resources, because I think the mismanagement of the state budget by the decision to do the educational vouchers have taken a lot more money than what was required," Dahl explained, his frustration palpable.
Ah yes, the educational voucher system—that magical policy that promises "choice" while systematically defunding public schools. It's like offering people "choice" between a functioning fire department and a book of matches.
When pressed about "fair share" taxation, Dahl delivered perhaps the most refreshing economic honesty heard on talk radio in years:
"Think back to the 1950s when the U.S. income tax was the most progressive it ever was. Very high percentages for the highest earners... That's when we built the interstate systems. That's when we built the bridges and airports to make this country great."
The councilman continued:
"People who are making a lot of money are making that money using the infrastructure of the city, county, states, and federal government. So they need to proportionally do a larger share than someone who is just getting by or is raising a family."
Revolutionary concept: those who benefit most from public infrastructure should contribute most to maintaining it. Somewhere, an economics professor is weeping tears of joy.
Roads, Rain, and the Reality of Infrastructure Decay
Dahl's road update provided both hope and heartbreak. Thanks to voter-approved sales tax funding, "every neighborhood road will be touched" over ten years, with complete makeovers or repairs bringing streets "up to snuff." But then comes the sobering reality:
"We will never have the resources to maintain our road system. Tucson's environment is tough on our roads because it's hot. Many of our roads are used for stormwater runoff and just eats away at the asphalt."
The Grant Road construction saga drew particular attention, with Buckmaster joking that the construction signs should be made permanent. Dahl's response revealed deeper structural problems:
"Unfortunately, I believe the RTA, our 20-year project, was mismanaged, especially in the last 15 years. They've run out of money."
Twenty-five years of planning, billions in taxpayer investment, and they "ran out of money." This is either spectacular incompetence or a masterclass in how to make public transit projects so expensive that privatization starts looking attractive.
Fireworks Folly: Tradition vs. Common Sense
Perhaps the most illuminating exchange concerned July 4th fireworks on "A" Mountain—a tradition that has become increasingly absurd given our fire-prone environment. "On a mountain that's covered with flammable grass? No, it's not prudent," Dahl stated flatly, before noting the city's limited options since "it's been in the works for a long time."
His solution represents refreshing pragmatism:
"Let's convert it to a beautiful drone show or a laser light show, which is becoming very popular around the country... Not only is the fear of fire, but the loud noises is hard on our animal friends. It's hard on veterans and it's hard on people who don't like being startled by loud noises."
The kicker: "I think the time has passed for fireworks to commemorate our war with Britain. We're allies now."
Imagine that—suggesting we update 250-year-old celebration methods to reflect modern realities. Clearly, Dahl hates freedom and apple pie.
The TEP Tango: Energy Democracy vs. Corporate Control
Dahl's explanation of ongoing TEP negotiations revealed the complex choreography of municipal energy politics. The city hired contractors to explore alternatives to Tucson Electric Power, with surprising results: "to my surprise, they've determined that it would be feasible for us to become a municipal energy utility."
He qualified this carefully: "Feasible, maybe not practical, maybe too expensive, but it's something that we will look at." Other options include "consumer choice, energy, mini-grids, some other things that don't involve kicking TEP out and taking it over at a huge expense."
Public power—the radical notion that essential utilities should serve communities rather than shareholders. TEP executives are probably updating their résumés as we speak.
Dr. Robert Hendricks: Education's Institutional Memory Under Attack
Dr. Hendricks brought decades of educational leadership to discuss the systematic dismantling of federal education infrastructure. His perspective, as a former Flowing Wells superintendent and current president of Interfaith Community Services, provided a sobering analysis of institutions under ideological assault.
The Departmental Demolition Derby
Hendricks contextualized the current attacks within historical precedent: "Not the first time a president has tried to do that. President Reagan attempted to do it as well when he came into office." However, Trump's approach appears more systematic: "Already, 1,300 federal employees in the Department of Education have been released. This is about 25% of the total number of people who work in that agency in the District of Columbia."
Because nothing says "educational improvement" like firing a quarter of the people who administer federal education programs. Next week: improving healthcare by eliminating doctors.
The department's actual function remains mysterious to many Americans, as Hendricks explained: "a lot of people really don't know what the Department of Education does at the federal department level." The two major programs—Title I, serving low-income schools, and IDEA, supporting special education—receive "$38 billion" and "$14.2 million" respectively.
"Both these programs are very important in terms of the welfare of students in educational enterprise," Hendricks emphasized, noting that while federal funding represents only "10.6% of the financing of schools," it targets the most vulnerable populations.
The Brutal Mathematics of Teacher Layoffs
Hendricks revealed the human cost of budgetary uncertainty with devastating clarity:
"You're playing a numbers game. You're playing a numbers game in terms of enrollment, which can be highly unpredictable at times. You're playing a numbers game in terms of how much funding you're going to receive."
The result?
"Districts have to play it very conservatively in terms of the number of people they commit to, because once they commit, once the fall semester begins, they're locked into that commitment for the year."
This creates a vicious cycle:
"Oftentimes, those people who are notified are the youngest people on the staff. And sometimes I would almost say some of the more enthusiastic people on the staff. But a lot of those people are not going to return, even if they're offered a position back, because they're going to go look elsewhere."
So we systematically eliminate our most energetic educators, then wonder why teacher morale and retention suffer. It's like running a restaurant by firing your best chefs every spring.
Override Elections: The Politics of Teacher Salaries
Hendricks explained why override elections, which fund teacher salaries, face steeper challenges than bond elections for buildings:
"Override elections are very difficult to pass, because they really deal specifically with salary... people sometimes have the opinion that teachers are underpaid, but there is also a group of people who feel like they're overpaid or they shouldn't be paid anymore."
Amazing how we'll approve millions for new football stadiums but balk at paying living wages to people who educate our children. Priorities, people.
The political dynamics reveal deeper community attitudes:
"It kind of depends on the cell and what kind of support you get from the community... the people that are voting don't always have children in schools. They're going to make a decision based on their perception of how well the school's doing in the community where I live."
The Interconnected Web of Austerity
Both conversations revealed how federal, state, and local budget cuts create cascading effects throughout communities. Dahl's municipal struggles stem partly from state voucher programs draining public education funding, while Hendricks documented federal education cuts targeting the most vulnerable students. Meanwhile, teachers unionizing at charter schools like Basis face "right-to-work" laws that allow management to simply ignore organized labor.
It's almost like there's a coordinated effort to defund public institutions while enriching private alternatives. But that would require planning and competence, so it's probably just coincidence.
The morning's rain provided a perfect metaphor: in a desert climate, every drop matters, whether it's precipitation or public funding. But while communities celebrate rare weather events, they're simultaneously watching essential services evaporate under ideological heat.
Seeds of Hope in Desert Soil
Despite the sobering realities discussed, both guests embodied the persistence necessary for progressive change. Dahl's neighborhood "free table"—where "24 seven, three o'clock in the morning, I wake up and there are people out there with flashlights going through stuff"—demonstrates grassroots resource sharing that builds community resilience.
His push for drone shows over fireworks, public power exploration, and progressive taxation advocacy represents the kind of forward-thinking leadership we desperately need. Meanwhile, Hendricks maintains institutional memory and continues serving through Interfaith Community Services, proving that public servants adapt rather than abandon their missions.
The weekend's rain reminded us that even in the harshest environments, life persists. As Dahl observed:
"This morning, I was walking in a desert area near my house, and I saw some little seedlings coming up. I hope there'll be water coming again for them."
Those seedlings represent hope in concrete form—proof that given the slightest opportunity, life finds a way to flourish. Perhaps there's a lesson there for progressive politics.
Getting Involved: Your Democracy Needs You
Want to support leaders like Kevin Dahl? Sign up for his Ward 3 newsletter by googling "Ward 3, City of Tucson Ward 3" and joining their email list. Attend city council meetings, support override elections for education funding, and consider taking a radical step by running for local office yourself.
For broader education advocacy, consider contacting organizations like Interfaith Community Services, which partners with over 120 faith communities to serve more than 52,000 individuals annually. Support public education by voting in school board elections and advocating for progressive state-level funding.
Most importantly, support independent progressive journalism that covers these crucial local issues. Subscribe to Three Sonorans Substack to continue receiving in-depth analysis and commentary like this. Local democracy relies on informed citizens, and informed citizens depend on journalists who are willing to dig deeper than surface-level coverage.
What Do You Think?
How can communities maintain essential services while federal and state support continues eroding? Should Tucson abandon fireworks displays for safer, more inclusive celebrations? What would public power mean for your electricity bills and environmental goals? Have you experienced the magic of community resource-sharing like Dahl's free table?
Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas in the comments below. In these times of institutional upheaval, community conversation becomes a radical act of democratic participation. After all, if we can celebrate half an inch of rain as miraculous, surely we can find hope in the small victories of civic engagement and mutual aid.
The desert teaches patience, persistence, and the precious value of every drop—lessons our democracy desperately needs.
Quotes:
Kevin Dahl: "On a mountain that's covered with flammable grass? No, it's not prudent" - on July 4th fireworks safety
Kevin Dahl: "I think the time has passed for fireworks to commemorate our war with Britain. We're allies now" - challenging patriotic traditions
Kevin Dahl: "People who are making a lot of money are making that money using the infrastructure of the city, county, states, and federal government. So they need to proportionally do a larger share" - on progressive taxation
Dr. Robert Hendricks: "Already, 1,300 federal employees in the Department of Education have been released. This is about 25% of the total number of people" - on Trump's cuts
Kevin Dahl: "To my surprise, they've determined that it would be feasible for us to become a municipal energy utility" - on public power study
Dr. Robert Hendricks: "Oftentimes, those people who are notified are the youngest people on the staff. And sometimes I would almost say some of the more enthusiastic people on the staff" - on teacher layoffs
People Mentioned:
Bill Buckmaster - Radio host, 15th year broadcasting, nearly 4 decades in Tucson media
Tom Fairbanks - Co-host and engineering producer
Kevin Dahl - Tucson City Councilman Ward III (Democrat), former National Conservation Association rep, ethnobotany degree, executive director of Native Seed Search, and former Tucson Audubon Society director
Dr. Robert Hendricks - Former Flowing Wells superintendent, education expert, current Interfaith Community Services president
Steve Kozachik - Former Tucson City Councilman, now runs Pima Animal Care Center
Donald Trump - Current US President (mentioned for education cuts and federal policies)
Kamala Harris - Former Democratic presidential candidate (mentioned in context note)
Terrell Bell - Former Reagan education secretary who recommended reducing the department
Jimmy Carter - Former president who created the Department of Education in 1979
Matt - Caller asking about Wells Fargo building purchase
Have a scoop or a story you want us to follow up on? Send us a message!
