[3] In 2011, he proposed taxing marijuana like cigarettes in order to sustainably fund public health and substance abuse treatment programs,[4] but his bill did not become law.

[7] In 2012, Farley campaigned on issues like investing in new technologies and high-wage jobs, expanding health care for self-employed and small-business owners and making long-term care more affordable for middle-class seniors, in addition to his work in increasing the production of clean solar energy, outlawing driving while texting and protecting Tucson's sovereignty.

[8] Farley opposed the controversial Arizona SB 1070 and worked with Governor Jan Brewer to expand Medicaid, bringing healthcare to 400,000 Arizonans.

His lengthy blog posts helped explain obscure and complex policies and kept Arizonans up-to-date on state issues.

He proposed closing tax loopholes to secure greater funding for public education, saying "I know we have the money, we've just chosen to give it away," and criticized the Arizona economy for benefiting those at the top more than the average Arizonan.

He has proposed creating a public healthcare option for Tucson residents, switching diesel engine buses to electrical engines powered by solar energy, creating a resiliency plan for extreme climate emergencies, and preparing Tucson's economy to be competitive in emerging industries.

During his tenure, he built the Freeman Education and Behavioral Center, greatly expanded the Community Cat program, broadened HSSA’s lifesaving work into neighboring Cochise County, led successful efforts to increase the supply of veterinarians across Arizona through the legislative creation of a Veterinary Student Loan Repayment Program, and turned the thrift store into a major revenue generator for the organization, among other accomplishments.

Steve Farley was fired from the position on October 5, 2023 when, under his tenure, 318 small pets (including guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters) that the HSSA received for adoption placement from San Diego Humane Society were transferred to a private citizen associated with a reptile farm that sells frozen and live animals for snake food.