TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," DETAILS ON A REPORT RELEASED OVERNIGHT BY SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH ON DONALD TRUMP'S ATTEMPTS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS AT STATE CAPITOL, AND LEARN ABOUT A MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE TSMC PLANT IN NORTHWEST PHOENIX.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

NEW WILDFIRE WARNINGS ISSUED TODAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS WINDS AGAIN PICKED UP ACROSS THE BURNED-OUT REGION, INDEED WINDS TODAY WERE EXPECTED TO HIT NEAR HURRICANE FORCE LEVELS BUT EASED SOMEWHAT AS THE DAY WORE ON.

EVACUATION ORDERS ARE STILL IN PLACE FOR MANY AREAS.

>> WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 88,000 RESIDENTS THAT ARE STILL UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS, AND REGARDING EVACUATION WARNINGS, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 84,800 RESIDENTS THAT CONTINUE TO BE UNDER WARNINGS.

THERE IS A DECREASE IN THESE NUMBERS BUT AS OUR FIRE PARTNERS HAVE STATED, IT IS STILL VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

TED: AND MORE THAN TWO MILLION RESIDENTS ARE UNDER, QUOTE, EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE RISK.

FIRES IN THE REGION HAVE THUS FAR KILLED 24 PEOPLE AND DESTROYED THOUSANDS OF HOMES.

>>> A CONTENTIOUS CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY NOMINEE PETE HEGSETH, HE WAS GRILLED OVER QUALIFICATIONS TO LEAD THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

MANY FOCUSED ON HEGSETH'S TREATMENT OF WOMEN.

>> HAVE YOU ADMITTED THAT YOU HAD SEX WITH WIFE TWO, THAT WOULD BE QUALIFYING AS -- >> THAT WAS A FALSE CLAIM, TALKING ABOUT A HYPOTHETICAL.

>> YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHETHER SOMEONE WHO COMMITTED A SEXUAL ASSAULT IS DISQUALIFIED FROM BEING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE?

>> SENATOR, I KNOW IN MY INSTANCE AND I'M TALKING ABOUT MY INSTANCE ONLY, IT WAS A FALSE CLAIM.

>> BUT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU CHEATED ON YOUR WIFE, AND THAT YOU CHEATED ON THE WOMAN BY WHOM YOU FATHERED A CHILD.

YOU HAVE ADMITTED THAT?

>> I WILL ALLOW YOUR WORDS TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

>> YOU'RE NOT RETRACTING THAT TODAY.

TED: REPUBLICANS LEFT THE HEARING EXPRESSING FULL SUPPORT FOR HEGSETH'S FITNESS AND QUALIFICATIONS.

A FULL VOTE COULD COME AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

>>> OFFICIALS SAY HAMAS ACCEPTED A DRAFT AGREEMENT FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN THE GAZA STRIP AND THE RELEASE OF DOZENS OF HOSTAGES.

MEDIATORS FROM THE U.S. AND QATAR SAID ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN GROUP ARE, QUOTE, AT THE CLOSEST POINT YET TO SEAL A DEAL THAT BRINGS BOTH SIDES CLOSER TO ENDING 15 MONTHS OF WAR.

>>> A REPORT RELEASED OVERNIGHT BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SHOWS THE SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVINCE DONALD TRUMP FOR ATTEMPTING TO OVERTURN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, BUT THAT TRUMP'S ELECTION IN NOVEMBER MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CASE.

JOINING US IS FORMER ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY ROY HERRERA, A PARTNER IN HERRERA ARELLANO LLP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT EXACTLY DID THE REPORT FOCUS ON?

>> THE REPORT RELATED TO SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH INVESTIGATION INTO ELECTION INTERFERENCE OF DONALD TRUMP IN SUBSEQUENT CRIMINAL INDICTMENT INDICTMENT, THIS IS A CRIMINAL INDICTMENT BROUGHT METRO DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN FEDERAL COURT AND BASICALLY A CASE THAT IS NOW GOING TO GO AWAY BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP IS SET TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT, NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS A LONGSTANDING POLICY THAT A SITTING PRESIDENT CAN'T BE CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED.

AS A RESULT THIS PROSECUTION GOES AWAY.

JACK SMITH RESIGNED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THIS IS HIS FINAL OVERVIEW OF THE MATTER.

TED: FINAL WORD ON THE MATTER, A LOT OF PEOPLE ALL EXCITED HERE COMES THIS REPORT.

THIS IS STUFF MOSTLY WE'VE ALREADY KNOWN, ISN'T IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

FROM A FACTUAL PERSPECTIVE, THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WE DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW FROM THE INDICTMENT ITSELF AND THE SUBSEQUENT FILINGS HE FILED IN THE CASE.

I THINK THE FACTS ARE ALREADY OUT THERE.

SO THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THERE.

INSTEAD, WHAT I THINK WAS NOTABLE ABOUT THE REPORT WAS MORE HIS PARTING WORDS, HIS OBSERVATIONS, ONE OF WHICH YOU REFERRED TO ALREADY, HE CONCLUDES IF THE PROSECUTION HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD, HE BELIEVES DONALD TRUMP WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE REMAINING CLAIMS OF ELECTION INTERFERENCE.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE HE DIDN'T GUARANTEE A CONVICTION BUT SAYS THE EVIDENCE WAS THERE?

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHEN I SAY THE CLAIMS REMAINING, THIS RELATES TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S DECISION GRANTING PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY OVER CERTAIN OFFICIAL ACTS.

AS A RESULT, A CERTAIN NUMBER OF THE COUNTS IN JACK SMITH'S INDICTMENT WERE NO LONGER VALID.

THEY COULDN'T PROCEED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE FALLEN UNDER PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY.

INSTEAD THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS RELATED TO UNOFFICIAL ACTS AND SO WHAT JACK SMITH IS SAYING IS THOSE CLAIMS HAD GONE FORWARD, HE BELIEVES THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH FACTS TO GET A GUILTY VERDICT.

TED: SOUND LIKES IN SMITH'S REPORT, HE SAYS THE SUPREME COURT'S IMMUNITY, THAT'S HUGE, THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY HUGE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SECOND BIG TAKEAWAY RELATES TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

THIS WOULDN'T BE SURPRISING, IF ANYONE HAS CRITICISMS OF THE COURT BOTH IN THE FACT THAT THE COURT TOOK SO LONG TO HEAR THE APPEAL ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, WHICH HE SAYS BASICALLY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN A TIMELY MANY, CERTAINLY BEFORE LAST MONTH'S ELECTION ON ANY TRIAL OF DONALD TRUMP AND CRITICIZES ON THE MERITS, UNDERLYING DECISION ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY SAYING IT GOES AGAINST PRECEDENT.

TED: TALKS ABOUT THE COURT TAKING ITS TIME, DID HE MENTION THE FACT THAT MERRICK GARLAND TAKES HIS TIME?

>> HE DID NOT.

NOT IN A DIRECT WAY.

THERE IS LOT OF CRITICISM OF MERRICK GARLAND NOW THAT WE'RE AT THE END OF ALL THIS.

AND THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS ARE GOING AWAY, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE IN FLORIDA WHICH DID NOT GET RELEASED.

THESE ARE GOING TO GO AWAY AND IF YOU ARE OPPONENT OF DONALD TRUMP AND WANTED TO SEE THE PROSECUTIONS GO FORWARD, A LOT OF CRITICISMS OF GARLAND'S PERFORMANCE.

TED: TALK ABOUT THE FLORIDA CASE, MISSING DOCUMENTS.

THAT WAS PART TWO.

THIS IS PART ONE, AND NOW PART TWO, AND MISSING DOCUMENTS IS HELD BACK, TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> BOTH THE REPORT RELATED TO THE ELECTION INTERFERENCE PROSECUTION AND THE DOCUMENTS CASE IN FLORIDA ARE REPORTS THAT DONALD TRUMP DID NOT WANT TO SEE RELEASED.

HE'S BEEN FIGHTING TO KEEP THE REPORTS FROM BEING RELEASED.

THE ONE IN D.C. RELATED TO D.C.

INTERFERENCE HASN'T BEEN RELEASED, THE FEDERAL JUDGE IN SOUTH FLORIDA HELD BACK THE REPORT RELATED TO THE DOCUMENTS CASE.

WE WILL SEE WHETHER THAT REPORT GETS RELEASED.

ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT DONALD TRUMP AND THE JUDGE MAKES IN THAT CASE IS THERE ARE CO-DEFENDANTS IN THAT CASE.

THOSE PROSECUTIONS COULD POTENTIALLY CONTINUE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT EX-PRESIDENTS.

TED: ARE THERE PEOPLE IN THAT CASE THAT HAVE THE IMMUNITY UMBRELLA COVERS THEM?

>> INTERESTING.

I THINK NOT BECAUSE SOME, FOR EXAMPLE, THE OTHER PERSON THAT WAS PROSECUTED IN THE CASE WAS HIS PERSONAL VALET.

CERTAINLY THAT PERSON WASN'T PRESIDENT.

I DOUBT HE WOULD BE COVERED.

THAT BEING SAID, THE WAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT ISSUED THIS DECISION ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY LEFT A LOT TO BE WORKED OUT BY THE LOWER COURTS.

INCLUDING WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL ACT, NOT AN OFFICIAL ACT, WOULD HAVE PRESUMABLY BEEN WORKED OUT HAD THE PROSECUTIONS MOVED FORWARD BUT CERTAINLY THE ONE IN D.C. IS DEAD.

TED: GETTING BACK TO PART ONE AND JACK SMITH AND THE REPORT.

HE SAID TRUMP'S ATTORNEYS GAVE A VARIETY OF FALSE, MISLEADING OR OTHERWISE UNFOUNDED CLAIMS.

ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS TODD BLANCHE IS ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, HE COULD BE IN CHARGE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS ONCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STARTS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THE FLORIDA CASE IS GOING TO GO AWAY.

ALL THE INVESTIGATION DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OF DONALD TRUMP ARE GOING TO GO AWAY, ULTIMATELY THERE IS A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL, PAM BONDI LIKELY TO GET CONFIRMED AND WILL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE THAT THE PARTICULAR INVESTIGATION NEED TO GO AWAY, AND LIKELY WILL NEVER COME BACK.

THAT WILL BE SORT OF THE END OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GOING AFTER DONALD TRUMP.

TED: COULD BE THE START OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GOING AFTER OTHER FOLKS?

>> COULD BE.

OF COURSE, ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.

I'M SURE JOE BIDEN, TO THE EXTENT THEY WANT TO GO AFTER HIM, CERTAIN PRINCIPLES APPLY TO HIM.

BUT THERE IS A FEAR, AND THIS WILL COME UP FOR HEARINGS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERALS AND FBI DIRECTOR, THERE IS A FEAR OF DEMOCRATS, IT COULD BE WEAPONIZED, THE FBI, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COULD GO AFTER POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

TED: LAST QUESTION HERE, WHAT DO WE TAKE OF ALL THIS AS FAR AS LEGAL PRECEDENT, AS A FORM PROSECUTOR HERE, WHAT DO YOU TAKE FROM ALL THIS?

>> INTERESTING, I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ON THIS SHOW FOR YEARS NOW TALKING ABOUT THE LONG SAGA RELATED TO FIRST HIS IMPEACHMENTS AND THEN THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS AND FOUR DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS OF TRUMP AND NOW WE'RE AT THE END.

JACK SMITH ALLUDES TO THIS IN THE REPORT, IT'S INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO GO AFTER AND INVESTIGATE AN EX-PRESIDENT.

BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL POWER.

LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES, IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

THAT ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY DECISION GOING TO CHILL OPPORTUNITIES OR THOUGHTS ABOUT DOING THAT GOING FORWARD AGAINST ANY EX-PRESIDENT.

TED: ROY HERRERA, GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU.

.

TED: THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION KICKED OFF YESTERDAY AS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS DELIVERED HER "STATE OF THE STATE" ADDRESS.

WE GET REACTION FROM REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS AS LONG AS WITH GOP PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW SESSION.

WELCOME SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM T.J. SHOPE AND HOUSE SPEAKER PRO TEM NEAL CARTER.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANKS, TED.

TED: NEAL, START WITH YOU, YOU ARE GAINING NUMBERS AS OPPOSED TO LAST GO-AROUND.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

>> I THINK THERE'S MANY THINGS WE'D LIKE TO SEE.

PROP 123 PROPOSAL THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT IN.

BACKFILLED SOME OF THE THOUGHTS, AND WE DON'T NEED THE MEASURE FOR WHAT WE NEEDED 10 YEARS AGO FOR, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE TEACHER SALARIES INCREASE.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT HOPEFULLY SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, COULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST MAJOR THINGS OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND MY PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE TALKING A LOT OF WATER.

TALKING A LOT ABOUT WATER SECURITY, THE THINGS WE FEEL LED US TO HAVE THE EXPANDED MAJORITIES THIS YEAR.

TED: OVER IN THE HOUSE, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

>> THE HOUSE IS CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE, IT'S WAY WE DESIGNED IT, AND MEMBERS ARE LISTENING TO YOU, AND REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS LISTENING TO WHAT ARIZONANS WANT.

WE CAME UP WITH A BROAD PLAN.

THE THREE Ps, WE'RE LOOKING TO PRESERVE THE AMERICAN DREAM, TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALSO PRESERVE INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING.

WE KNOCK ON DOORS OUT AND ABOUT TALKING TO CONSTITUENTS.

WE'RE HEARING COSTS ARE TOO HIGH AND CUTTING AGAINST THE AMERICAN DREAM.

PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE BORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY IS BIG, AND PEOPLE WANT TO ENJOY THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

THEY WANT TO ENJOY MEDICAL FREEDOM, SCHOOL CHOICE AND ALL THE OTHER FREEDOMS WE AS AMERICANS EXPECT.

TED: I THINK I'M THE ONLY PERSON THAT CALLS IT PROP 123, EVERYONE ELSE CALLS IT 123.

>> IS IT LIKE ABC 123.

TED: WHATEVER.

SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANT TO SEE MONEY GOING TO TEACHERS, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO SEE THINGS SPREAD AROUND.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE PROP 123 REFERRED ALONE, OR DO YOU TIE IT WITH SOMETHING?

>> NO, I THINK THIS LEGISLATURE, FROM THE SENATE PERSPECTIVE, AND I'M SURE THAT WE'LL HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR HOUSE COUNTERPARTS, BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT GOES ABOUT, STANDS ON ITS OWN.

WE HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT SEEING TEACHER SALARIES TIED TO THE MEASURE.

AS I MENTIONED, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WHEN WE'VE HAD ONGOING FUNDS AND DO CONTINUOUSLY, WE HAVE FOCUSED THOSE MONEYS TO MAKING SURE THAT THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF PROP 123 WAS TAKEN CARE OF FROM EXISTING FUNDS.

WE LOOK AT IT AS A TYPE OF BRAND NEW MEASURE GOING FORWARD TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE TEACHER SALARIES, WHICH WE HEAR ABOUT ALL THE TIME.

TED: STRAIGHT TEACHER SALARY, WOULD YOU TIE ESAs TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> IN ARIZONA, THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES A SINGLE SUBJECT RULE.

THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING WE ENJOY.

WE'RE NOT LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE DON'T HAVE THE LONG BILLS, WE ARE KEPT TO ONE SUBJECT AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PROPOSITION 123, WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING EXCLUSIVE DEALS WITH EDUCATION.

WHAT MANY OF US WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS MAKE SURE IT ACTUALLY GOES TO THE CLASSROOM.

GOES TO TEACHER PAY, AND GOES TO SOMETHING THAT PARENTS ARE ASKING FOR, FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND NOT NECESSARILY FOR SOME KIND OF WASTE OR FRAUD OR ABUSE.

>> YOU MENTIONED WITH BORDER SECURITY, ALL EYES ARE ON SUPREME COURT IN TEXAS.

IS THE LEGISLATURE READY WITH THE FUNDING SHOULD THE SUPREME COURT COME BACK AND SAY THUMBS-UP.

>> THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE PROPOSED BUDGET WOULD HAVE ELIMINATED ALL MONEYS FOR THE BORDER STRIKE FORCE.

WE'RE DEALING WITH A GOVERNOR PIVOTING IN THE ELECTION CYCLE TO TALK ABOUT THE BORDER, BUT WHAT WE SEE IS SHE LITERALLY REMOVED BORDER, CONTAINERS ON THE BORDER CREATING BARRIERS, SHE'S ON RECORD FOR REMOVING THOSE.

ATTEMPTING TO CANCEL THE FUNDING WE PUT INTO PLACE, AND THANKFULLY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY PRESERVED THE FUNDING IN THE LAST BUDGET.

TED: THAT WAS THE GOVERNOR THEN, THIS IS A DIFFERENT BALL GAME.

>> GOVERNOR HOBBS 2.0.

TED: A PRIORITY ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

BE THAT AS IT MAY, ARE YOU READY IF THIS IS A GO?

>> I THINK WHAT WE HAVE ON OUR SIDE IS TIME.

63% OF ARIZONANS DECIDED THEY WANTED TO FOLLOW WHAT THE TEXAS MODEL IS ON IMMIGRATION AND BORDER SECURITY.

WE HAVE WHAT WE FEEL IS POTENTIALLY UP TO A YEAR.

DO WE HAVE MONEYS THAT CAN GO TO SECURING THE BORDER?

ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THAT WE CAMPAIGNED ON.

SOMETHING WE WILL FUND, SHOULD THE SUPREME COURT ACT SOONER THAN THAT, BUT WE FEEL WE'RE PROBABLY ABOUT A YEAR OUT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE PROPOSITION 314 WAS SUBMITTED TO HER FOR SIGNATURE AND SHE VETOED IT.

WE MANAGED TO GET IT DONE BY SUBMITTING IT TO THE PEOPLE.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO YOU AND WATER BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED IT.

WATER WAS A DIVISIVE TOPIC IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS IF YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING REGARDING GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION, SHE'S GOING TO DO IT FOR YOU, DID IT IN THE PAST, GOING TO DO IT AGAIN.

WHETHER IT'S GILA BEND OR SOUTHEAST ARIZONA, THERE'S A LOT OF TIME SPENT ON THIS.

>> WHETHER IT'S THE AG TO URBAN LEGISLATION THAT I SPONSORED THAT WAS VETOED WHICH SCIENCE HAS SHOWN OVER THE LAST 70 YEARS WE USE THE SAME AMOUNT WATER TODAY WITH 7 1/2 MILLION PEOPLE AS WE DID IN THE 50s.

WHEN YOU TRANSFORM IRRIGATED AG LAND LIKE PINAL COUNTY, INTO DEVELOPMENT, YOU HAVE LESS WATER.

THESE ARE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE'S GOING TO ACT WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE, I BELIEVE THAT LEADS DIRECTLY TO LITIGATION BECAUSE WE DON'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO THOSE THINGS.

WE CAN NEGOTIATE IT OUT.

WE HAD A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION ON THE ISSUES LAST YEAR, THEY WERE VETOED.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE LIKES WORKING BIPARTISANLY BUT OFTENTIMES IT DOESN'T WORK OUT.

TED: THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE'S PROTECTING GROUND WATER AND YOU'RE NOT.

RESPOND PLEASE.

>> TWO THINGS, THE LEGISLATURE HANDED HER A BILL, PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR COMPANIES LIKE FONDOMONTE TO TAKE WATER OUT OF THE GROUND, SHE VETOED IT.

THE SECOND THING IS, THE LEGISLATURE ALSO SENT HER A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR CONVERSIONS OF FARMLAND TO HOUSES WHICH SAVES WATER BECAUSE IT USES LESS WATER, THAT'S A FACT AS THE SENATOR ALLUDED TO, AND SHE VETOED THAT AS WELL.

WE'RE READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR, BUT FOR ARIZONA PROMISE SEEMS LONG ON PROMISE AND SHORT ON RESULTS.

TED: WE'LL STOP IT RIGHT THERE.

GENTLEMEN, GOOD HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU BET.

.

TED: A MASSIVE $7 BILLION HOUSING RETAIL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED TO BE BUILT NEAR THE TSMC MICROCHIP PLANT IN NORTHWEST PHOENIX.

HALO VISTA, A CITY WITHIN A CITY.

CHRIS MACKAY, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF PHOENIX.

WHAT IS HALO VISTA?

>> 3500 ACRE DEVELOPMENT UP ACROSS FROM DEER VALLEY IN NORTH PHOENIX.

TED: NORTHWEST CORNER?

>> NORTHWEST CORNER.

TED: AND $7 BILLION DEVELOPMENT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, THAT'S CORRECT.

SURROUNDING TSMCs $65 BILLION DEVELOPMENT.

TED: I GOT EAST, WEST AND NORTH SIDES, ALMOST A HORSESHOE, TRUE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TED: YOU'RE CALLING IT A CITY WITHIN A CITY, WHY?

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT HALO VISTA, THIS IS AN AREA ABOUT 12,000 ACRES.

YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, NEARLY TWICE THE SIZE AS ANTHEM IN THE SHEER SIZE OF WHAT'S KNOWN AS BISCUIT FLATS, PONY EXPRESS STATION IN THE 1800s.

TRULY GOING TO BE A CITY WITHIN A CITY.

12 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF INDUSTRIAL, OFFICE FLEX SPACE, AND 500,000 FEET OF RETAIL AND RESIDENTIAL AMONGST IT.

YOU CAN LIVE AND WORK RIGHT THERE.

TED: DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO SUPPORT THE MICROCHIP FACILITY?

.

>> IT DOESN'T.

OTHERS THAT COMPLEMENT THE TSMC AREA.

THAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND HALO VISTA BUT DOESN'T HAVE TO SUPPLY THE SUPPLY CHAIN, WE EXPECT OTHER LARGE MANUFACTURERS INTO THE AREA.

TED: MOST OF ALL, THEY'LL BE ALIGNED WITH TSMC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT WAS THE PLAN WHEN WE BROUGHT THEM HERE IN 2019.

TED: ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON NONTECH BUSINESSES?

>> THERE REALLY AREN'T.

THERE ARE A LOT OF NONTECH BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT TECH BUSINESSES.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ARCHITECTURE OR ENGINEERING OR DESIGN FIRMS, THEY'RE REALLY MORE ABOUT A SERVICE-RELATED SECTOR THAN OTHERS.

THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT ARE SHEERLY OFFICE OR OTHERS, THERE AREN'T RESTRICTIONS WHAT COMPANIES CAN GO IN THERE.

TED: WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING IS FORECAST?

>> MOST OF THE HOUSING IS FOR RENT, MULTIFAMILY AND FOR RENT CONDOS, TOWNHOUSES, THAT TYPE OF THING.

TED: ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS IN TERMS OF THE TYPE OF STRUCTURE BEING BUILT?

DOES IT HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT RENTALS?

CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FOR SALE?

THESE THINGS?

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT AREA NORTH OF 303, THERE WON'T BE FOR SALE RESIDENTIAL.

THAT IS PLANNED SOUTH OF THE 303 IN STATE LAND AND WILL COME OUT LATER.

THE MULTIFAMILY THAT'S PLANNED TO BE THERE IS MUCH MORE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, WHEN YOU THINK OF A WORKFORCE MOVING INTO A MARKET OR MOVING FORWARD, THAT'S WHAT THAT'S PLANNED TO BE.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY, SOME OF THE WORKERS MAY NOT BE THERE LONG, THEY NEED A SHORT-TERM RENTAL OR YEAR OR SIX MONTHS.

IS THAT WHAT THE FOCUS IS HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF MAJOR TECH COMPANIES, THEY PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSIENT WORKFORCE.

TED: RETAIL?

RESTAURANTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS, GROCERY STORES, OTHERS IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA.

TED: WHAT TIMELINE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> SHOULD START INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION SUMMER AND CONSTRUCTION IS A YEARLONG.

WE'LL SEE VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION START ON THE FIRST OF THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN EARLY 2026.

THE WHOLE PARK IS PLANNED TO BE 25 YEAR BUILDOUT.

TED: HOW MUCH DOES ALL OF THIS COST THE CITY OF PHOENIX?

>> THE INTERESTING THING IS THIS IS AN AREA THAT WAS PLANNED FOR FOR SALE RESIDENTIAL, NO JOBS.

WHEN WE ATTRACTED TSMC, WE CHANGED FOCUS TO ASSIGN TECH PARK IN THE AREA.

OUR ADVANTAGE IS THE DEVELOPMENT THEMSELVES ARE BUILDING ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUTTING THE BUILDINGS UP AT THEIR COST.

WHAT THE CITY IS PLANNING TO DO, THE SALES TAX THEY CREATE SHARING PART OF IT BACK TO SHARE THE BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE, THE CONSTRUCTION OF DOVE VALLEY, OFF-RAMPS ON THE FREEWAY.

TED: IN TERMS OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

HOW DOES THE EQUATION WORK YOU?

EXPLAINED IT A LITTLE BIT.

IS THERE MORE TO IT?

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

WE ARE MORE THAN 35-1 ON RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND EXPECT ON BUILDOUT ABOUT 32,000 JOBS.

NOT COUNTING TSMC WHICH IS SO ASTRONOMICAL, I DON'T KNOW IF WE MEASURE NUMBERS THAT BIG.

TED: AS FAR AS TRANSPORTATION IS CONCERNED, ANYONE GOING ON I-17 KNOW IT'S BIG, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ALL THE VEHICLES, ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THAT?

>> LOOKING AT THE RESIDENTIAL SOUTH OF THE 303 AND AT THE BISCUIT FLATS AREA AND NORTERA AND DEER VALLEY.

WE WANT TO CREATE AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE AND WORK, THEY DON'T HAVE TO JUMP ON THE 17 OR 51 OR THE 101, THEY CAN WORK IN THE AREAS AND ULTIMATE BUILDOUT AS WE PLANNED HALO VISTA, THAT IS THE PLAN.

TED: ALL RIGHT, HALO VISTA, NORTHWEST CORNER OF I-17 AND THE LOOP 303.

SHOVELS SHOULD BE MOVING RELATIVELY SOON.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD SEE THINGS MOVING VERY, VERY SHORTLY.

TED: CHRIS MACKAY, PHOENIX ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, SO MUCH GOING ON.

>> SO MUCH GOING ON.

TED: THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.