🧠 Reagan's Legacy: Supervisor Rex Scott Confirms How 1980s Policies Created Today's Homelessness Crisis

Deinstitutionalization without community services left vulnerable people on the streets. Republican resistance to RTA renewal threatens vital transportation services for working families

This is based on Southwest Flavor podcast in Southern Arizona, which was broadcast by Live The Dream Media on 4/24/25.

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😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾

🏜️ Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott discussed important issues in our area, like 🚧 broken roads, 💰 expensive housing, and 🏠 people without homes. Before his election, 70% of county roads were in terrible shape, and now they're aiming to fix them all by 2029. He explained that most homeless individuals just can't afford rent anymore because prices have skyrocketed 📈. The county needs to build 20,000 more affordable homes 🏘️ to help tackle this problem.

Rex also mentioned how decisions made by President Reagan in the 1980s, such as closing mental health hospitals 🏥 without providing other support, have worsened today's homelessness. He’s striving to collaborate with both Democrats and Republicans 🤝 to address these significant challenges together.

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🗝️ Takeaways

• 🗳️ Supervisor Rex Scott won his "purple" District 1 seat by just 730 votes in 2020, increasing to 8,091 votes in 2024, showing progressive policies can win in mixed districts when explained properly

• 🏗️ Pima County needs 20,000+ additional affordable housing units to address the root cause of homelessness, which Scott identifies as housing affordability, not individual failings

• 🛣️ A shocking 70% of county roads were in "failed condition" in 2019, revealing the consequences of decades of conservative anti-tax policies that starved public infrastructure

• 💊 Reagan-era deinstitutionalization policies combined with the rise of cheap, highly addictive drugs like meth and fentanyl have created a perfect storm for mental health crises

• 👮 Law enforcement spends 90% of its resources on 10% of the population, forced to address social problems that require healthcare and housing solutions, not policing

• 🚍 The Regional Transportation Authority tax funds not just roads but also provides critical support for SunTran public transit service, making its renewal essential for working families

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Progressive Politics in Pima County: Supervisor Rex Scott Talks Infrastructure, Housing Crisis, and Republican Roadblocks

In this week's captivating episode of Southwest Flavor, host Ron welcomed Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott for a revealing hour-long conversation that peeled back the layers of local governance. As Scott settled into his chair, the atmosphere was comfortable yet charged with the unmistakable energy of someone who's navigating the political tightrope of a purple district while trying to advance progressive solutions to systemic problems.

From Ohio Idealism to Arizona Pragmatism

Scott's journey to Pima County politics began far from the saguaros and sunsets of the Sonoran Desert. Born in southeastern Ohio, he cut his political teeth on the Athens city council at the tender age of 24, harboring dreams that might sound familiar to many young progressives.

"I was very, very intent on climbing the political ladder," Scott admitted with a hint of nostalgia. "I had a game plan in mind which would have gone from city office to county office to state office to federal office, and the ultimate goal back then was to end up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

Don't we all start with such lofty ambitions before the machinery of capitalism and the daily grind of fighting regressive policies wear us down to more localized battles?

Love brought Scott to Southern Arizona in 1991, following a girlfriend who didn't last, but setting him on a path that led to his wife of over 30 years and a decades-long career in education before his successful 2020 run for the Board of Supervisors.

District 1: Where Purple Politics Meet Systemic Inequality

The political geography Scott navigates as a supervisor is fascinatingly complex. District 1 encompasses northwest Tucson, parts of Marana, sections of Tucson proper, all of Oro Valley, the village of Catalina, and the Catalina foothills – a jigsaw puzzle of economic privilege and working-class neighborhoods.

"District one is the most purple of the five districts," Scott explained, "pretty evenly divided between Democrats, Republicans, and independents. It's also the district that has the highest number of registered voters."

What Scott didn't explicitly say, but any progressive Tucsonan understands, is that these demographics make his job a delicate dance – pushing for equity-focused policies while representing constituents who may be more concerned with property values than systemic change.

How do you represent both the wealthy foothills residents worried about their views and the working families struggling to make rent? This is the contradiction at the heart of local politics in America.

Scott's narrow 730-vote victory in 2020 speaks volumes about this tension, though his more comfortable 8,091-vote margin in 2024 suggests he's found some formula for breaking through the partisan noise.

"I try very hard to reach out to everybody in our district, to assess their views and their concerns before I take a position," Scott said, "and I try very hard to vote the interests of the district regardless of whether or not that's aligned with the interests of the other members of my party on the board."

Translation: Sometimes I have to compromise more than my progressive colleagues might like, but that's the reality of representing a district where one wrong vote could mean a Republican replacement in the next election.

The Infrastructure Time Bomb Republicans Left Behind

Perhaps nothing illustrates the consequences of decades of conservative anti-tax, anti-government ideology better than what Scott revealed about Pima County's roads.

"The year before I ran for the board, the previous board paid for an assessment of all of the county's roads, and the county is responsible for 2,200 miles of roadway in the unincorporated county," Scott explained. "Seventy percent of those roads were found to be in failed condition in 2019."

Let that sink in. Seventy percent. Failed. Condition. This is what happens when conservatives starve public infrastructure of funding for decades while cutting taxes for the wealthy.

Now, Scott and his colleagues are playing catch-up, implementing a comprehensive program that aims to repair all county roads by 2029 using a combination of state and local funds. But this is the unglamorous work of governance that rarely makes headlines – fixing the problems created by years of conservative fiscal policy. In contrast, those same conservatives criticize the spending required to solve the mess they created.

RTA: Regional Transportation's Uncertain Future

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) represents another critical infrastructure challenge – and another potential casualty of anti-tax sentiment. Funded by a half-cent sales tax paid by all Pima County residents, the RTA supports major transportation projects throughout the region.

Scott, who previously represented the county on the RTA board, expressed concern about the future of this essential funding mechanism as the current plan expires in 2026.

"If we give up the millions of dollars every year that the RTA half-cent tax generates, that's going to have a significant impact on our ability to expand and maintain our infrastructure," Scott warned.

Scott also revealed a surprisingly progressive aspect of the RTA that many Tucsonans might not know:

"For people who are fans of SunTran, the city's transit system, there is a significant part of the SunTran budget every year that comes from the RTA tax." Public transit – a lifeline for low-income residents – would likely face devastating cuts without this funding.

The Housing Affordability Crisis: Capitalism's Latest Squeeze

When the conversation turned to homelessness, Scott immediately identified the root cause that conservative commentators often ignore: the housing affordability crisis created by unfettered capitalism.

"The biggest reason for homelessness in Pima County and around the country is the lack of affordable housing and the cost of rental housing," Scott stated plainly.

The statistics he shared are staggering: rental costs have more than doubled compared to what his generation paid, and the region needs over 20,000 additional affordable housing units to meet current demand.

This is the hidden violence of our economic system – forcing families to choose between food and rent while investors convert housing into profit-generating assets rather than homes for people.

Scott described the county's efforts to establish a regional affordable housing commission and provide "gap financing" to developers of affordable housing, which has funded approximately 1,200 additional units. But the subtext is clear – the market has failed to provide affordable housing, and government intervention is essential.

Reagan's Ghost: How Conservative Policies Created the Mental Health Crisis

Perhaps the most illuminating moment came when Scott confirmed the devastating impact of Reagan-era policies on mental health care and homelessness.

"He's correct in that it was in the early years of that administration that a movement known as deinstitutionalization began," Scott acknowledged, referring to Ron's son's observation about Reagan's cuts to mental health services.

"There was every positive intent in moving towards deinstitutionalization," Scott explained diplomatically, "but then you need to have community-based mental health services to assist those folks. They're not going away, they're just now out on the streets."

What Scott's polite explanation leaves unsaid is how conservatives have consistently blocked adequate funding for those community-based services, leaving vulnerable people to suffer the consequences of their ideological commitment to small government.

The supervisor further explained how the subsequent rise of highly addictive, low-cost drugs like meth and fentanyl has exacerbated the crisis, creating a perfect storm of mental health needs and inadequate resources.

Law Enforcement: The Impossible Task of Policing Societal Failure

Drawing on his experience as a school administrator, Scott invoked the "90-10 rule" – spending 90% of resources on 10% of the population – to describe how police and sheriff's deputies are forced to deal with the consequences of these failed policies.

"In terms of our police officers and our sheriff's deputies, they're often spending 90% of their time dealing with probably less than 10% of the population," Scott observed, "and that's really draining our resources."

What Scott diplomatically avoids saying is that we're asking law enforcement to solve problems created by economic inequality, housing insecurity, and inadequate mental health care – issues that require social workers, housing specialists, and healthcare providers, not badges and guns.

Hope Amid the Challenges

Despite the daunting challenges facing Pima County, Scott's approach offers glimmers of hope for progressive change within the constraints of a politically divided region. His commitment to regional cooperation, evidence-based policy, and addressing systemic issues suggests a path forward that balances idealism with pragmatism.

The conversation with Scott reveals someone who understands the underlying progressive values of community care and equity, even as he navigates the realities of governing in a purple district where sudden movements might spook moderate voters.

For those of us committed to building a more just and equitable Pima County, Scott's work represents important incremental progress while we continue pushing for the more transformative changes our community needs.

Get Involved and Support Progressive Journalism

If this deep dive into local politics has inspired you to engage more deeply with Pima County governance, consider attending Board of Supervisors meetings, joining advocacy groups focused on affordable housing or transportation equity, or simply reaching out to your supervisor's office with your concerns.

If you value this kind of in-depth, progressive analysis of local politics—the kind mainstream media often glosses over—please consider supporting The Three Sonorans Substack. Your subscription helps ensure we can continue providing the nuanced, critical coverage our community deserves, uncovering the stories behind the headlines and connecting local issues to the broader struggle for social and economic justice.

What are your experiences with housing affordability, road conditions, or public transportation in Pima County? How have Reagan-era policies affected you or your loved ones? What questions do you have about the RTA renewal or the county's approach to homelessness? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's build the community conversation necessary for meaningful change.

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Quotes:

• Rex Scott on the housing crisis: "The biggest reason for homelessness in Pima County and around the country is the lack of affordable housing and the cost of rental housing... We need in the region, I think, just in the affordable range over 20,000 additional units."

• Rex Scott on failing infrastructure: "Seventy percent of those roads were found to be in failed condition in 2019."

• Rex Scott confirming Reagan's role in the homelessness crisis: "He's correct in that it was in the early years of that administration that a movement known as deinstitutionalization began... There was every positive intent in moving towards deinstitutionalization, but then you need to have community-based mental health services to assist those folks. They're not going away, they're just now out on the streets."

• Rex Scott on RTA funding: "If we give up the millions of dollars every year that the RTA half-cent tax generates, that will significantly impact our ability to expand and maintain our infrastructure."

• Rex Scott on SunTran funding: "For people who are fans of SunTran, the city's transit system, there is a significant part of the SunTran budget every year that comes from the RTA tax."

• Rex Scott on law enforcement resource drain: "In terms of our police officers and our sheriff's deputies, they're often spending 90% of their time dealing with probably less than 10% of the population, and that's really draining our resources."

People Mentioned

• Rex Scott - Pima County Supervisor for District 1, former educator and school administrator, previously served on Athens, Ohio city council.

  • Quote: "I try very hard to reach out to everybody in our district, to assess their views and their concerns before I take a position."

• Jana - Rex Scott's wife of over 30 years, elementary and preschool teacher, now a substitute teacher in the Flowing Wells district. According to Scott, she chaired the small business commission.

• Ronald Reagan - Former US President referenced in discussion about deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities in the early 1980s. Scott confirmed this policy change contributed to current homelessness crisis.

• Ed Honea - Mentioned as "the longest serving member of the RTA board" who passed away in late 2023. Scott quoted him regarding the Cortaro interchange: "That interchange at Cortaro benefits the entire region."

• Ted Maxwell - Identified as "General Maxwell Ted Maxwell, the president and CEO of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council" who serves as "the governor's southern Arizona representative of the state transportation board."

• Steve Lynn - Appointed by Scott to the redistricting commission, described as having "headed up the state redistricting commission in its first round back in the early 2000s."

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