Guest Host Dave Smith with Guest Steve Christy, Pima County Supervisors, District 4
Common Sense in Government and Business: A Discussion with Supervisor Steve Christie
The Return of Common Sense
Steve Christie, Pima County Supervisor and successful businessman, brings a unique perspective to local governance through his experience in both the private and public sectors. As the conservative voice on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Christie emphasizes the critical importance of common sense decision-making in government - something he sees making a welcome return after years of ideologically-driven policies.
"Common sense has to be the driving force in any decision," Christie explains, pointing to recent policy reversals at the federal level. He questions policies that seem to defy basic logic: "What good could possibly happen by allowing millions of illegal aliens into the country? What benefit could there be in allowing biological males to compete against females in sports?"
The Business Perspective on Government Regulation
Drawing from his extensive experience as a car dealership owner, Christie highlights the overwhelming burden of government regulations on businesses. A National Dealers Association study revealed hundreds of mandatory regulations that auto retailers must comply with, from OSHA requirements to payroll procedures.
"All I wanted to do was sell and service cars," Christie reflects, "but I found myself dealing with employee problems, customer issues, and an endless stream of governmental interventions." These regulations create substantial hidden costs:
Lost productivity from mandatory training days
Administrative overhead for compliance
Time diverted from core business operations
Resources spent updating procedures for new regulations
The Fire Prevention Crisis
Christie recently spearheaded initiatives to address wildfire prevention in Pima County, particularly relevant given the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles. His district, which stretches from Summer Haven through the Catalina Mountains to Green Valley, faces significant wildfire risks.
The supervisor highlighted successful prevention efforts through the Firewise certification program:
In 2003, the Aspen Fire destroyed 384 homes in Summer Haven
After implementing Firewise standards, recent major fires caused virtually no structural damage
The program creates protective "donut holes" around communities
Christie is pushing for comprehensive county-wide fire prevention measures:
Emergency wildfire response plan development
Clearing county-owned properties of combustible materials
Addressing underfunded rural fire districts
Working with state legislature on insurance availability issues
The Sales Tax Debate
Christie strongly opposes Proposition 414, which would increase local sales tax rates to 9.2%. He questions the effectiveness of previous tax increases meant for infrastructure and public safety:
"If you ask any person on the street if we've adequately addressed our homeless problem, our crime problem, our decaying roads - the answer would be an overwhelming no," Christie states. He warns that higher sales taxes could drive businesses and consumers to neighboring communities, especially for large purchases like vehicles.
The Administrative State and Business Innovation
The discussion touched on how government intervention can stifle innovation and market efficiency. Christie points to recent examples like Ford's $5 billion loss on electric vehicle development - resources that could have been directed toward more market-driven innovations.
"Being taxed is a penalty for being successful," Christie observes, highlighting how excessive regulation and taxation can undermine the creative environment that has historically made American business successful.
Note: Dave Smith was guest hosting for Kathleen Winn, who will return to discuss her recent work in DC regarding Title IX reforms.