Why are smoke detectors illegal in Holland?
As a government employee. I can tell you that our pay and retirement isn't half of what it would be in a similar job in the private sector. The only thing good about public employment is job security. Its a trade off. If states or the fed go broke its because of their own fiscal irresponsibility not because pensions are too high, but they can never declare workers pensions invalid. That's why most people choose government jobs, because the government is more likely to still exist in the future.
You are both right. What is the distance of the run? (more than 13 feet)? What is the thickness of the stringer? (less than a 2 x 12 then NO) What is the width of the stairs? (If more than 36 then NO unless 3 stringers) How many stringers are there? What species of wood are the stringers made from (Doug fir is stronger than pine). All of those things are important to know before you remove any supports. Typically with interior stairs they will need some support for the stringers. You could probably safely remove the first half of the 2 x 4's and even the second half as long as you leave some support in the middle. That would need to be a laterally supported vertical support. If you remove the support under the stairs you risk allowing the stringers to flex (bounce) when a heavier person (200 pounds or more) walks up or especially down the stairs. This will cause cracks in the walls adjacent to the stairway.
