🍀 SALC's Ted Maxwell bashes on Tucson's Prop 414: Wants you to vote for his RTA-Next Tax instead?
Highlighting issues of financial management and transparency within Tucson's city leadership
Based on the Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone on 3/17/25.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
In Tucson, there's a big conversation about 💰 money and safety. A new tax plan called Prop 414 was supposed to raise money for important things like 🚓 police and services, but many people didn't like it because it wasn't clear how the money would be used. Now, people are talking about how to make things better and safer, including how many police officers are really working. 👨👩👧👦 Families are encouraged to speak up and get involved to help make the city a better place for everyone. It's a bit like working together in a game 🎮 to solve puzzles 🧩 and make the community stronger.
🗝️ Takeaways
🏢 Prop 414 Defeated: Tucson voters rejected a proposed half-cent sales tax initiative by 70%.
💰 Tax Flaws Highlighted: Critics argued that Prop 414 lacked clarity and concrete allocation plans.
🚓 Police Staffing Concerns: There's skepticism over the actual number of deployable officers in the city.
🔍 Fiscal Transparency Questioned: The city's budget and spending priorities are under scrutiny.
🎯 Civic Engagement Encouraged: Citizens are urged to actively participate in shaping Tucson's future.
👥 Regional Cooperation Challenges: Tucson's reputation is affecting its cooperation with surrounding communities.
🌎 Trade Policy Worries: Concerns over Trump's tariffs creating economic uncertainty were raised.
St. Patrick's Day Politics Served with a Side of Satire on DeSimone's Morning Show
In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, as saguaros stood witness to another day of Tucson politics, Christopher DeSimone's St. Patrick's Day radio spectacular unfolded like a bizarre fusion of political analysis and Irish-themed comedy. Claiming to be their "77th annual" celebration, the show delivered a curious cocktail of municipal criticism, defeated tax proposals, and fictional neighborhood mythology.
The Emerald Isle of Misfit Governance
The morning began with the ceremonial acknowledgment of "Plisken Acres Founders Day" – perhaps the most Tucson thing to ever Tucson. For the uninitiated, this fictional district named after Kurt Russell's eye-patched anti-hero from "Escape from New York" represents a troubled area bounded by Speedway, River, Swan, and Wilmot.
Because nothing says "addressing urban problems" quite like giving them a dystopian movie nickname and appointing fictional government officials.
"This area of woe, really, where like the crime-free coalition will tell you is one of the sweet spots of drugs, crime, everything bad that a human being can do with another human being is happening in the acres," DeSimone explained with the casual air of a tour guide pointing out local landmarks.
East Side Tom, the self-proclaimed founder of this fictional municipality, called in to discuss the anniversary with DeSimone. "We just needed to come up with a name for this place because we can't just keep referring to it as 'the part of Kyle that's getting really bad' because it's all getting really bad," Tom recounted.
Their imaginary geography lesson continued with other colorful designations: "Kozachikstan" (the 29th/22nd Street corridor), "Pablo Slovakia" (named after Councilman Paul Cunningham), and "The Hundred-Acre Woods" (their term for Pio Nuevo). What began as inside humor has apparently developed into a full alternate reality, complete with a "mayor for life" and various appointed officials.
Perhaps if we spent as much energy addressing the actual issues as we do crafting elaborate satirical municipal structures, we might see some progress?
Maxwell's Silver Hammer Falls on Proposition 414
The spotlight shifted to Ted Maxwell of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, who arrived wearing an appropriately festive green tie to dissect the recent crushing defeat of Proposition 414 – the half-cent sales tax initiative rejected by 70% of Tucson voters.
Maxwell painted a picture of a proposal that was fundamentally flawed from inception: "It tells you that 9.2% is not going to be acceptable to the region," he explained, highlighting how Tucson's proposed bump to a 3.1% city sales tax rate would have made it significantly higher than surrounding areas.
"The first time I heard about it almost 19 months ago, it was from the union heads saying they wanted to go back and get a half-cent, because they were cut out of 411," Maxwell revealed, tracing the evolution of what began as a public safety funding measure but gradually morphed into something less focused.
His analysis highlighted several fatal flaws:
"On 414, all you saw was other than the police capital, everything else was an example of a one-year budget," Maxwell explained. "An example. No guarantee that it's going to go to this program or that program. And it was Christmas treats."
The 10-year sunset provision proved particularly problematic. While the previous road repair tax had a detailed implementation plan justifying its duration, Proposition 414 offered only vague assurances about how the money would be spent year after year.
"None of it was in an amount that was going to make a significant impact or even a real dent," Maxwell observed about the homeless and housing allocations. "Would it change some people's lives? You bet. But would it fix the problems? Would it get the folks not doing public use of drugs? No, it wasn't going to change any of that."
Translation: Voters saw through the classic political move of throwing insufficient money at massive problems while claiming comprehensive solutions.
Perhaps the most telling exchange came when DeSimone asked Maxwell about the actual number of deployable police officers in Tucson:
"The 748 deployable officers is not the real number. The number is 300 is what it is," DeSimone claimed, referring to information from Officer Jamie Voss who had appeared on a previous show. "For actual guys like Jamie, who is an actual deployable with a gun officer in the streets, it's 300 for a town of 540,000 people and 200 square miles. Unacceptable."
When DeSimone suggested the business community might be able to work constructively with city leadership after the tax defeat, Maxwell appeared cautiously optimistic while DeSimone remained skeptical:
"You sound like a guy who thinks the stripper likes him because he gave her $20," DeSimone quipped.
A colorful analogy, though perhaps we could find ways to discuss political relationships without commodifying women in the process?
The Budget Behind the Curtain
A recurring theme throughout Maxwell's segment was criticism of Tucson's fiscal management. Despite having what both men agreed was the city's largest-ever budget at $2.4 billion, they questioned whether basic services were receiving adequate funding.
"The biggest problem [economist Jim Rounds] said he had was really finding how everything was spent," Maxwell revealed. "Even manager Tamir said at the study session, not all the cities categorize anything the same."
The conversation painted a picture of a city leadership struggling with transparency and priority-setting. Maxwell explained that Tucson Water actually contributes more than $12 million to the general fund, suggesting resources exist but are potentially misallocated.
"You know Tucson is a poisonous term right now," DeSimone declared, arguing that the city's reputation is hampering regional cooperation.
It's almost as if decades of underfunding infrastructure while prioritizing pet projects might eventually catch up to a municipality...
Bill Beard, who called in during the segment, offered perhaps the day's most scathing assessment: "Mayor and council are behaving like Veruca Salt. They basically want it all, they want it now, and they're going to be the petulant little child and demand that the folks that have told them, no, you can't have more money... come up with an alternative."
Brother Joe's Economic Anxiety
As the clock approached the final hour, Brother Joe DeSimone took the mic to express considerable concern about the economic uncertainty created by former President Trump's tariff policies.
"Markets hate uncertainty," he emphasized repeatedly, arguing that Trump's frequently changing positions on international trade were creating unnecessary economic volatility. "I'm sick of hearing about tariffs every day. I'm sick of it. I want to hear about tax cuts. I want to hear about your pro-business agenda. I want to hear about border security."
Despite being a Trump supporter, Joe offered candid criticism: "Even if I like him, voted for him, he can be wrong. And nobody can criticize him because the single fans will say, 'Well, he's negotiating.'"
His commentary reflected a growing concern that pursuing an "all or nothing" approach would make it difficult to achieve legislative victories: "Reagan said very clearly, if I get 65 to 70% of what I want, I'm more than happy to give up that 30% to the other side."
A rare moment of acknowledging that compromise might actually be necessary in a democratic system of government. Revolutionary!
Desert Blooms from Concrete Cracks
Despite the show's often harsh assessment of local leadership, threads of possibility for Tucson's future emerged between the lines of criticism.
Maxwell emphasized that citizens need to "show up" to create change: "The message was sent by the community, not by us, not by anybody else, but by a combined community, loud and clear. And now we have to show up in every communication in every opportunity."
This call for civic engagement – showing up at meetings, offering constructive alternatives rather than just criticism – represents the kind of active citizenship that can transform communities regardless of who holds elected office.
The special election for Congressional District 7 adds another dimension to local political possibility, with various candidates discussed as potential replacements for Representative Raúl Grijalva, including Daniel Hernandez and potentially Adelita Grijalva.
As we reflect on the blend of serious policy discussion and lighthearted holiday banter that characterized this St. Patrick's Day broadcast, perhaps there's wisdom in finding ways to approach our most challenging issues with both determination and occasional humor. Like desert plants that somehow thrive in seemingly impossible conditions, Tucson's resilience lies in its ability to persist despite adversity – to find ways forward even when the path seems obscured by political sandstorms.
Getting Involved: Beyond the Radio Waves
If the morning's discussion stirred your civic spirit, consider these pathways to engagement:
Attend city council meetings - While DeSimone and Maxwell might paint a bleak picture of current leadership, the only way to ensure your voice is heard is to actually use it in public forums.
Join neighborhood associations - Even fictional "Plisken Acres" can't solve its problems without organized community action. Real neighborhood groups provide crucial links between residents and city services.
Support community journalists - Local reporting is essential for accountability, whether through traditional media or alternative sources that focus on underrepresented voices.
Register to vote - The 70% rejection of Proposition 414 demonstrates that voters still hold significant power in shaping Tucson's direction.
The desert teaches us that life finds a way, even in the harshest conditions. Similarly, democracy requires our participation to flourish – especially when the political climate feels most inhospitable. Whether you align with DeSimone's critiques or prefer alternative visions, your engagement matters.
What do you think about Tucson's approach to balancing public safety needs with fiscal constraints? Should the city prioritize police funding, or are there alternative models worth exploring?
How do you view the relationship between Tucson and surrounding communities? Is regional cooperation possible despite differing political perspectives?
Share your thoughts in the comments below – after all, the conversation doesn't end when the broadcast does.
Quotes:
"This area of woe, really, where like the crime-free coalition will tell you is one of the sweet spots of drugs, crime, everything bad that a human being can do with another human being is happening in the acres." - Christopher DeSimone on the area nicknamed "Plisken Acres"
"The 748 deployable officers is not the real number. The number is 300 is what it is. For actual guys like Jamie, who is an actual deployable with a gun officer in the streets, it's 300 for a town of 540,000 people and 200 square miles. Unacceptable." - Christopher DeSimone claiming Tucson's police force is significantly smaller than officially reported
"Mayor and council are behaving like Veruca Salt. They basically want it all, they want it now, and they're going to be the petulant little child and demand that the folks that have told them, no, you can't have more money..." - Bill Beard comparing Tucson leadership to the spoiled character from Willy Wonka
"I'm sick of hearing about tariffs every day. I'm sick of it. I want to hear about tax cuts. I want to hear about your pro-business agenda. I want to hear about border security." - Joe DeSimone expressing frustration with Trump's focus on tariffs
"Reagan said very clearly, if I get 65 to 70% of what I want, I'm more than happy to give up that 30% to the other side." - Joe DeSimone advocating for political compromise
"You sound like a guy who thinks the stripper likes him because he gave her $20." - Christopher DeSimone responding to Ted Maxwell's suggestion about working with city leadership
People Mentioned:
Christopher DeSimone - Host of Wake Up with Christopher DeSimone on Live the Dream Media Network. Notable quote: "Tucson is a poisonous term right now in relation to just, it has a bad reputation right now."
Ted Maxwell - Southern Arizona Leadership Council representative analyzing Proposition 414's defeat. Notable quote: "On 414, all you saw was other than the police capital, everything else was an example of a one-year budget. An example. No guarantee that it's going to go to this program or that program. And it was Christmas treats."
East Side Tom - Caller who created the fictional "Plisken Acres" concept. Notable quote: "We just needed to come up with a name for this place because we can't just keep referring to it as 'the part of Kyle that's getting really bad' because it's all getting really bad."
Joe DeSimone - Brother of Christopher and co-host discussing economic policy. Notable quote: "Markets hate uncertainty."
Bill Beard - Caller who compared city leadership to Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka. Notable quote: "To govern is to choose. You guys have now been told by the voters in a very, very clear, loud and articulate manner."
Jamie Voss - Police officer mentioned as source for claims about actual deployable police numbers in Tucson.
Regina Romero - Mayor of Tucson, criticized throughout the program for budget management and Proposition 414. No direct quotes.
Raúl Grijalva - Congressman whose seat (CD7) will require a special election, mentioned in political discussion.
Adelita Grijalva - Mentioned as potential candidate for CD7 special election.
Daniel Hernandez - Mentioned as potential candidate for CD7 special election.
Kurt Russell - Actor whose character "Snake Plisken" inspired the fictional neighborhood name. Mentioned because his birthday coincides with St. Patrick's Day.
