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Steve Farley gained prominence in Tucson's political arena for pushing Pima County's Regional Transportation Authority initiative in 2006. The PR firm, Zimmerman and Associates, placed commercials of Steve, the artist, who previously painted quaint murals of people along the Broadway corridor. Here is artist Steve Farley, endorsing the RTA. Endorsing the RTA had political benefits. In this case, it propelled Steve Farley into the public spotlight prior to his first run as an AZ State Representative.

On its face value, the RTA initiative set up a disproportionate representation scheme that ultimately had the less affluent Tucson citizens paying more than their fair share in sales tax for construction projects so expensive that the surrounding municipalities couldn't come up with a financially sustainable alternative. Now, the more affluent areas in Tucson's foothills are up to their ears with construction projects designed to accommodate more traffic and it's paid for by a 2 cent sales tax charged to everyone inside of Pima County, AZ. No adequate studies of the environmental impact of increased car exhaust on the poorer neighborhoods (dementia and cancer) were conducted prior to placing the initiative on the ballot.

While scrutinizing ALEC is a popular, sensible proposition, Farley has no problem championing the "methlab of Democracy's" surveillance state by pushing AZ laws to make it illegal to shield license plates from traffic light cameras. Perhaps Farley is helping with fundraising because the RTA will eventually be lacking in funds.

One other significant point of the 2006 Pima County Arizona RTA Election: It was rigged. It's court case may effect the transparency of elections across the nation.

http://www.weeklyintercept.blogspot.com/2012/01/election-fraud-arizonas-ticking-time.html

Ah, transparency...