During this tenure, he became the first mayor in his state to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and presided over the development of Tucson's solar energy capability. Although his proposal of a transportation tax was defeated at the ballot box, this paved the way for a similar tax of half a cent across Pima County that was approved by voters in 2006.
During his time as mayor, he signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and initiated Tucson's solar energy development. Although his transportation tax proposal was rejected at the ballot box, it led to a half-cent tax approved by voters in Pima County in 2006.