>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" WE TALK TO A JOURNALIST WHO CONTINUE TO UNCOVER FRAUDULENT USE OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

A LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO LIMIT THE COST OF ENERGY BILLS FOR MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS.

THOSE STORIES ARE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

ENGAGE.

GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M TED SIMONS.

PUBLIC RECORDS REVEALS PROHIBITED PURCHASES OF SCHOLARSHIP ACT PROGRAM.

THE PURCHASES RAISE QUESTION ABOUT OVERSIGHT OF A PROGRAM NOW COSTING THE STATE MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS.

CRAIG HARRIS OF 12 NEWS UNCOVERED THE RECORDERS FOR HIS LATEST REPORT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

CONTINUED GREAT WORK ON THIS.

YOU DID AN AUDIT OF PUBLIC RECORDS?

>> WE DIDN'T DO THE AUDIT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DID THE AUDITS.

THESE ARE THEIR OWN RECORDS THAT SHOW ABOUT ONE IN FIVE, ABOUT 20% A SAMPLE ARE ON A LIST OF BANNED ITEMS.

THINGS YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO BUY LIKE CELL PHONES, BIG SCREEN TVs, THEY FOUND THAT'S HOW HIGH THE NUMBER WAS.

IT WAS A SAMPLE OF LIKE MILLION PURCHASES IT WAS SAMPLE SIZE GROUP.

>> Ted: 84 PURCHASES.

NO GO.

THAT'S ALMOST A QUARTER OF TAXPAYER THAT COULD BE GOING TOWARD TO WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

>> SOME WOULD ARGUE THAT WAY.

I GOT TO BE CAREFUL WHETHER THAT IS OR NOT.

THE LIST IS ABOUT A 100 ITEM YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO PURCHASE.

MOST PEOPLE WILL SAY WHY WE USING TAX DOLLARS TO BUY A DIAMOND RING, BIG SCREEN TV OR CELL PHONE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA THERE'S OVER $300,000 CELL PHONE THAT WAS BOUGHT.

YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO BUY THAT.

>> Ted: YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S BEGINNING ON.

ANY RESPONSE FROM SUPERINTENDENT HORN ON THIS LATEST REPORT?

>> NO.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COMMENT.

THEY TRIED POINT OUT -- THEY SAID THEY'VE CAUGHT A MILLION DOLLARS OF POTENTIAL FRAUD.

THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO CLAW BACK.

THERE'S TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF QUESTIONABLE SPENDING THAT SHOULD BE CLAWED BACK.

YOU AGREED TO GET AN EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP THAT YOU PROMISE.

I WILL NOT BUY ANY OF THESE.

IF YOU DO YOUR ACCOUNT SUPPOSED TO BE SUSPENDED.

JUST LOOKING AT IT, WE'RE TALKING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PURCHASES THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN BOUGHT.

THOSE ACCOUNTS SHOULD BE SUSPENDED.

>> Ted: I KNOW THE SUPERINTENDENT, YOU FOUND 22% SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES HERE.

IN THIS FIVE-MONTH AUDIT.

HE SAYS FRAUD RATE FOR ESA AT MOST ONE PERCENT.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> I ASKED HIM TO EXPLAIN THAT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S GETTING THAT NUMBER.

THEY HAVEN'T EXPLAINED IT.

THEY HAVEN'T WALKED THROUGH WHERE THEY GET THAT PERCENTAGE.

IF YOU TAKE ONE MILLION WHAT THEY GOT AND $1 BILLION PROGRAM, THAT GETS YOU ONE PERCENT.

THAT'S JUST WHAT THEY'VE TRIED TO GO BACK AND GET.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE NUMBERS THAT HIGH.

IF YOU LOOK AT LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE OTHER DAY.

REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO CLAW BACK AND REALLY CRACK DOWN ON WHAT THEY CALL MISUSE OF S.N.A.P.

AND MEDICAID DOLLARS.

EVEN FOR S.N.A.P., WHICH IS THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, THE ERROR RATE ABOUT 8.8%.

THEY WANT TO GET THAT TO SIX.

IF YOU JUST TALKING ERROR RATE FOR ESAs IT'S ABOUT 20%.

IT DOESN'T MEAN FRAUD WAS INTENTIONAL.

I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW YOU CAN SAY THERE'S NOT A HIGHER NUMBER WHEN WE HAVE -- THEIR OWN RECORD SHOW THERE'S TERMS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT MONEY BEING SPENT ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE BOUGHT.

>> Ted: WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE ARE YOU GETTING?

SUPERINTENDENT HORN HAS HIS RESPONSE.

UNDER LAWMAKER AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE MAKERS -- POLICYMAKERS.

IT'S A SAMPLING.

STILL, THAT'S 20% OF NOT BEING ON THE WRONG SIDE.

THAT'S NOT GOOD.

>> WE HAVE ASKED LAWMAKERS ABOUT THAT.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DO NOT WANT TO TOUCH THIS.

I ASKED A COUPLE YESTERDAY.

MAJORITY LEADER HOUSE AND SENATE, THEY DID THE SAME THING.

IT'S ONLY ONE PERCENT.

I'M LIKE WHERE DO YOU GET THOSE NUMBERS.

TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY ARE BEING JUDICIOUS CRACKING DOWN ON FRAUD AND THE MEDICAID AND S.N.A.P.

PROGRAM.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE SAME JUDICIOUS LOOK AT THE ESA PROGRAM.

THAT IS A SACRED COW.

PART OF IT IS THERE'S A LOT OF LAWMAKERS THAT USE THE PROGRAM.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TOUCH IT.

>> Ted: THERE'S SO.

THINGS I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

WE HAD SUPERINTENDENT HORN ON BEFORE.

HE MAKES THE ARGUMENT, UPWARDS A BILLION DOLLARS WHAT WE'RE SEEING THIS PROGRAM IS COSTING.

HE SAYS, IT ALL EVENS OUT.

THE FOLKS THAT WOULD BE GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS YOU SPENDING MONEY THERE, INSTEAD THEY ARE GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

IT'S A EVEN KIND OF TRADE OR CLOSE TO IT.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THAT'S FALSE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER.

EVEN THEIR OWN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NUMBER THAT'S WRONG.

THERE WERE LESS THAN 20,000 KIDS IN THE PROGRAM IN 2022.

THAT'S WHEN THE PROGRAM PRIMARILY HELPED KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, MILITARY FAMILIES.

TODAY THERE'S OVER 100,000.

IT'S NOT A ONE FOR ONE.

NOW, THE GRAND CANYON INSTITUTE, WHICH LEANS LITTLE LEFT, BASED ON THE NET COST AT LEAST $400 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL COST.

THEY FACTORED OUT WHAT WOULD COST IF YOU SAVE MONEY IT'S NOT A ONE FOR ONE.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ESA USERS RIGHT IT EXPANDED IT 2022 WHERE WERES ALREADY HOME SCHOOLED AND KIDS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE NOT LEAVING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO GO TO THE ESAs.

SOME ARE.

IT'S NOT A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS.

>> Ted: HAS ANYONE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE ABUSE, THE UNWARRANTED PURCHASES AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHO'S INVOLVED THERE?

ARE THOSE PEOPLE WHO MOVED OVER INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ARE THEY ALREADY INVOLVED?

DO WE EVEN KNOW?

>> WE LIKE TO KNOW.

WE'VE BEEN IN A BIG FIGHT SUPERINTENDENT HORN AND TREASURY KIMBERLY YEE.

WE ASKED FOR PUBLIC RECORDS.

WE'LL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOLD NUMBER.

THE PROBLEM IS THEY DON'T AUDIT THEIR BOOKS.

SUPERINTENDENT HORN KEPT THE DIDTOR GENERAL -- AUDITOR GENERAL OUT OF HER OFFICE.

IT WOULDN'T BE THAT HARD.

IT'S PRETTY EASY TO FIGURE OUT ON A SPREADSHEET BASIS THE I.D.

NUMBER OF A KID AND WHAT IS BEING BOUGHT.

IT'S VERY EASY TO BE FLAGGED.

SOMEONE LIKE ME CAN FIGURE THAT OUT, YOU WOULD THINK DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CAN DO THE SAME.

>> Ted: IS IT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TRYING TO DO THE SAME?

ARE THERE EFFORTS TO DO THE SAME?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I'VE ASKED ABOUT THAT.

THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

MY COLLEAGUE HAS ASKED HAVE YOU GOTTEN THE MONEY BACK ON LINGERIE.

SUPERINTENDENT HORN TOLD LAWMAKERS WE GOT IT BACK.

SHOW US THE RECORDS.

THEY WON'T PROVIDE THE RECORDS.

WOULDN'T BE THAT HARD TO FREEZE AN ACCOUNT.

THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MADE THAT PURCHASE.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, FREEZE THAT ACCOUNT.

>> Ted: IS THE ARGUMENT AGAINST THIS KIND OF INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTING THAT WOULD BE A CHILLING EFFECT.

WE HEAR ABOUT CHILLING EFFECT ON ALL SORTS -- VOTING, VOTING REGISTRATION.

IT WOULD KEEP PEOPLE FROM POLLS.

WOULD THIS KEEP PEOPLE FROM THE PROGRAM IF MORE OF THIS INFORMATION WERE AVAILABLE?

>> I DOUBT IT.

WE ASKED FOR THESE RECORDS.

WE'RE STILL FIGHTING TO GET THEM.

WE SAID TAKE THE KIDS NAMES OUT.

WE DON'T WANT THE ADDRESSES.

WE JUST WANT THE I.D.

NUMBERS SO WE CAN CORRELATE IF A PERSON IS BUYING CERTAIN AMOUNT OF STUFF.

THE FIRST YEAR THE PROGRAM HAPPEN THE TREASURER DID RELEASE THE RECORD.

THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM WE HAVE RECORDS TO SHOW THAT OVER MILLION DOLLARS OF LEGOS WERE SPENT.

UP TO $2000 LEGO PURCHASES WERE MADE.

ALSO THAT EXPENSE UP TO $1000 HIGH END KITCHENAID PRODUCTS WERE BOUGHT AND FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO KEEP THOSE.

THE PROBLEM IS ONCE THOSE RECORDS START COMING OUT, THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY SUPPORT ESAs THEY PUT PRESSURE ON SUPERINTENDENT HORN, DO NOT GIVE OUT RECORDS.

THEY'VE SPENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET THOSE DOCUMENTS.

>> Ted: WHAT'S NEXT?

>> WE'RE HOPING TO GET THE RECORDS.

WE HOPE TO GET THOSE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

WE'LL PUT THEM ONLINE.

WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO GET THIS.

WE'LL LET EVERYBODY KNOW.

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE WHAT WE'RE SAYING YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT YOURSELF.

YOU CAN LOOK AND SEE WHAT IS SPENT ON CELL PHONES.

WHAT IS SPENT ON BIG SCREEN TVs.

WHAT IS SPENT ON TRIPS TO SEAWORLD AND WHAT IS SPENT TO THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

YOU CAN FIGURE ALL THAT OUT.

WE WILL PUT IT THERE ON 12 NEWS.COM.

>> Ted: CRAIG HARRIS.

GREAT JOB.

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE BEST PANCAKES I HAD IN PHOENIX.

>> IT'S CRISPY.

>> MY WIFE IS A MANHATTAN DRINKER.

THIS IS THE BEST MANHATTAN SHE'S FOUND IN THE VALLEY.

>> WATCH THURSDAY AT 7:00 P.M.

ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> Ted: A PROPOSED BALLOT INITIATIVE COULD BRING MAJOR CHANGES TO ARIZONA'S ESA PROGRAM.

CONTINUES TO SEE FAMILIES USING EDUCATION FUNDS FOR NONEDUCATIONAL MATERIAL.

PROPONENTS ARE GATHERING SIGNATURE TO PUT THE MEASURE BEFORE THE VOTERS THIS FALL.

JOINING US NOW IS BETH LEWIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAVE OUR SCHOOLS ARIZONA.

THIS PROPOSED BALLOT INITIATIVE.

WHAT DOES A CALL FOR?

>> THIS IS A GROUP OF EDUCATOR AND PARENTS WHO CAME TOGETHER TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT.

WE PUT TOGETHER A COMMON SENSE PACKAGE THAT FOCUSES ON TAXPAYER ACCOUNTABILITY.

SO WE KNOW WHERE THE DOLLARS ARE GOING.

BAD SURE BAD ACTORS ARE NO LONGER TO GET IN ON SORT OF GRIFT WITH THE ESA VOUCHER PROGRAM.

OTHER IS SAFETY FOR STUDENT AND ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Ted: CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

SAME RULE, VOUCHER FUNDING AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I WANT SEE THE SAME THING?

>> YEAH.

IN NO WAY WOULD IT BRING PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN LINE WITH WHAT DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOLS NEED TO DO.

CERTAINLY, IT WOULD HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

>> Ted: THAT MEANS BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF?

>> IF YOU HAVE A POOL FUND AND ARE YOU SECURING WEAPONS, ETCETERA.

UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THOSE REGULATIONS EXIST RIGHT NOW.

WHICH I THINK IS SHOCKING FOR FOLKS.

THIS WOULD INSTITUTE REALLY COMMON SENSE REFORM.

>> Ted: THERE'S NO INCOME CAP RIGHT NOW EITHER.

YOUR INITIATIVE CALLS FOR THAT.

>> IT DOES.

WE'VE SEEN THE DATA COMING OUT OF THE PROGRAM SHOWS THAT THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN USING PROGRAM HAVE BEEN FROM WEALTHIER ZIP CODES.

THE IDEA IS, A LOT OF THESE FOLKS IN PRIVATE SCHOOL.

THEY WERE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT SCHOOL CHOICE.

WHY ARE WE THE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR THAT AS A SUBSIDY WHEN WE'VE GOT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDED AT 48th IN THE NATION.

>> Ted: THE CAP WOULD BE?

>> $150,000.

DOES NOT APPLY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY.

>> Ted: THAT IS A FAMILY.

$150,000 PER HOUSE HOLY.

WHAT ABOUT UNUSED VOUCHER FUNDS?

WHAT HAPPENS THERE?

>> WE KNOW SOME REPORTING THERE'S $440 MILLION SITTING UNUSED IN ACCOUNTS RIGHT NOW.

THIS WOULD CHANGE THINGS.

IT WOULD SAY, HEY, YOU GET YOUR THIRD GRADE DOLLARS FOR YOUR KID WHO'S IN THIRD GRADE.

AFTER THIRD GRADE, THOSE DOLLARS GET RETURNED TO PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASS.

YOU GET YOUR DOLLARS FOR FOURTH GRADE.

IT'S REALLY COMMON SENSE.

>> Ted: THAT IS THE ARGUMENT AMONG THOSE WHO ARE SAVING, SAVING SOME OF THE MONEY MAYBE FOR COLLEGE, MAYBE FOR OUT OF STATE COLLEGE.

YOU SAY NO WITH THIS INITIATIVE?

>> YES.

THE INITIATIVE AS PROPOSED RIGHT NOW.

THE THANKING IN FRONT THE SECRETARY OF STATE DOES SAY THAT.

AS A PARENT WHO IS SAVING FOR COLLEGE FOR MY KIDS, MY KIDS GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL.

WE DIDN'T GET MONEY -- WE DON'T GET MONEY FOR COLLEGE.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS THE ESA SPENDING ON NONEDUCATIONAL STUFF.

IT'S HAPPEN.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

DOES THE INITIATIVE ADDRESS THAT -- DOES THE INITIATIVE NEED TO ADDRESS IT?

ISN'T THAT ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW?

>> YES.

WE'VE SEEN THE LAW SAYS NONEDUCATIONAL STUFF.

WE'VE SEEN REPORTING THAT SHOWS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF SPENDING ON NONEDUCATIONAL STUFF.

HANDBOOK REGULATION.

IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING.

WE THINK PUTTING THIS IN LAW AND ACTUALLY HAVING TAXPAYERS VOTER PROTECT THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS WHAT THE EDUCATION LEADERS, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION LOOKING AT ABUSES, I KNOW THERE'S A CAP THERE AS FAR AS HIS OFFICE IS CONCERNED.

IS THAT CAP ADDRESSING THE INITIATIVE?

>> FOR LUXURY GOODS?

>> Ted: FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

FOR THE $2000 AND LESS NOT BEING LOOKED AT RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT IS NOT PART OF THE INITIATIVE.

>> Ted: OKAY.

FOR THOSE WHO SAY THE PARENTS KNOW BEST.

THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR KIDS DESERVE.

THEY DESERVE THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING IN TAXES AS WELL.

IT'S A QUESTION OF CHOICE.

THAT WILL BE BROUGHT UP A LOT IF THIS GETS ON THE BALLOT AND THERE WILL BE A NO CAMPAIGN.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> FIRST OFF, 90% OF FAMILIES ARE CHOOSING THEIR LOCAL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL THAT IS BEING FUNDED.

WE NEED TO UP THAT CHOICE.

SECONDLY, FAMILIES ARE LOOKING FOR QUALITY CHOICES AND WITH THIS WHOLE ESA VOUCHER EXPANSION, I THINK QUALITY HAS GONE OUT THE WINDOW.

THE CONVERSATION ARE THESE ENTITIES SAFE FOR KIDS?

ARE THEY ACTUALLY TEACHING?

YES, PARENTS KNOW BEST.

THEY KNOW THEIR CHILD BEST BUT THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW WHETHER THAT I KID IS ACTUALLY GETTING THE ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION.

THEY ARE NOT TRAINED EDUCATOR.

THAT'S OKAY.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TRAINED TEACHERS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT SERVE KIDS NEEDS.

AS A PARENT, I TAUGHT SIX GRADE MATH.

I LEAN ON QUALIFIED EDUCATOR.

>> Ted: 256,000 SIGNATURES BY JULY 2nd TO GET ON THE BALTIMORE.

-- ON THE BALLOT.

>> WE'RE READY TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO PRESERVE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

MAKE SURE ESA FAMILIES GET SAFE ACCOUNTABLE CHOICES AND TAXPAYERS WIN TOO.

>> Ted: BETH LEWIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> Ted: TWO BILLS LOOK TO ADDRESS ENERGY AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS FOR MOBILE HOME RESIDENCE.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD PREVENT TRAILER PARKLAND LORDS FROM CHARGING TENANTS MORE FOR THEIR UTILITIES AND THE PARK ITSELF.

WE WELCOME THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A WILDFIRE A NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON ENDING POVERTY.

ENERGY AFFORDABILITY FOR MOBILE HOME RESIDENCE.

UTILITY BILLS, THAT'S A MAJOR COMPLAINT ISN'T IT?

>> SURE.

I THINK YOU'RE SEEING ENERGY AFFORDABILITY IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE GOT SOME DATA THAT ENERGY BILLS LAST YEAR ROSE TWICE THE RATE THAT INFLATION DID.

I THINK YOU'RE SEEING PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH ENERGY AFFORDABILITY ACROSS THE NATION AND ARIZONA AND PARTICULARLY FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

>> Ted: ARIZONA GOT A SHARE OF MOBILE HOMES?

>> WE DO.

THERE'S NO OFFICIAL RECORD OR REGISTRATION OF MOBILE HOMES IN THE STATE.

ESTIMATES PUT IT ABOUT 150 TO 3 300,000 UNITS.

>> Ted: WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION DO THEY HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO UTILITIES?

>> THESE BILLS ARE CREATING GREATER PROTECTIONS.

THEY'RE IN UNIQUE SITUATION.

THEY OWN THE MANUFACTURED HOME BUT THEY ARE RENTING THE LAND FOR THE LANDLORD.

THEY ARE OFTEN MASTER METER OR SUB METERED FROM UTILITY PERSPECTIVE.

THE LANDLORDS ARE ARE THE CUSTOMER OF THE UTILITY.

>> Ted: HAS THIS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE MOBILE HOMES?

>> AS LONG AS I KNOW.

AS FAR BACK WHEN WE ESTABLISHED MOBILE HOME PARKS IN ARIZONA.

>> Ted: IT'S A CONCERN, OBVIOUSLY IN ARIZONA.

WE HAVE SOME PRETTY STRONG TEMPERATURES FOR MUCH OF THE YEAR.

A LOT OF MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS ARE THE ELDERLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A REALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THEY'RE NOT AS WELL INSULATED OR THEY HAVE SOME HEAT RELATED ISSUES.

>> Ted: ALL RIGHT.

HB2459.

THAT'S A BILL THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S MOVING PRETTY WELL.

>> IT WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENT HENDRICKS -- REPRESENTATIVE HENDRICKS.

THIS IS BILL THAT TRY TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTIONS IN THE MOBILE HOMELAND LORD TENANT ACT.

SAYS LANDLORDS CANNOT CHARGE THEIR TENANTS MORE THAN THEY ARE CHARGED BY THE UTILITY, LESS THAN $8 ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR THE LANDLORD READING THE METER AND PREPARING THE BILL.

>> Ted: RENTAL AGREEMENT MUST INCLUDE THE DISCLOSED UTILITIES?

>> SOMETIMES THE UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED IN RENT AND SOMETIME THEY ARE NOT.

THE TENANTS WILL GET THEIR SEPARATE UTILITY BILL.

>> Ted: HOW DOES THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION ADDRESS THAT?

>> BOTH, EITHER WAY.

SOMEBODY IS GETTING -- IF UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THEIR RENT OR IF THEY HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL BILL THAT THE LANDLORD GIVE THEM.

THAT COST CANNOT BE MORE THAN WHAT THE LANDLORD IS BEING CHARGED.

>> Ted: THAT HAPPENING OFTEN?

>> WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING MORE THAN IT SHOULD BE.

ESPECIALLY FOR VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS.

WE'VE SEEN SOME INSTANCES OF PARKS DOWN INTO THE TUCSON AREA WHERE WE HAD SIGNIFICANT OVERCHARGING WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL GOT INVOLVED AND GOT SOME MONEY BACK FOR FOLKS LIKE THAT.

WE THINK THAT IT IS HAPPEN AND WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES.

>> Ted: THAT BILL HAS PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE?

>> IT DID PASS THE HOUSE.

IT'S ON ITS WAY OVER TO THE SENATE.

>> Ted: ANY CONCERNS THERE >> I DON'T THINK SO.

IT PASSED OUT THE HOUSE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE HAD NO OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL BY LEGISLATOR.

I THINK IT'S A PRETTY COMMON SENSE SOLUTION.

WE'RE SAYING, LIKE YOU AND I ARE CHARGE FOR THE UTILITIES THAT WE USE.

WE TRYING TO APPLY PROTECTIONS IN THIS UNIQUE SITUATION.

>> Ted: SENATE BILL 1558 -- >> IT TRIES TO GIVE TENANTS LITTLE BIT MORE TRANSPARENCY AND REQUIRES TOP HAVE SIGHT LINE WHAT THE LANDLORDS ARE CHARGED BY THE UTILITIES.

IT ALSO GIVES SOME TIGHTER PROTECTIONS TO GO AFTER BAD ACTORS UNDER THE ARIZONA CONSUMER FRAUD ACT.

>> Ted: INTERESTING.

BETTER INFORMATION ON METER READINGS.

>> ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GIVING TRANSPARENCY.

YOU AND I CAN CALL A UTILITY COMPANY SAY WHAT'S UP WITH THIS BILL.

THE UTILITY WILL BE REQUIRED TO TALK US THROUGH THAT AND HELP US UNDERSTAND.

THESE HOMEOWNERS DON'T HAVE THAT SAME ABILITY.

>> Ted: THE HOUSE BILL LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.

SENATE BILL, WHAT YOU SEEING THERE?

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME INTERESTING THINGS.

YOU NEVER SAY ANYTHING IS DEAD DOWN AT THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE.

WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON HOUSE BILL 2459 NOW AND FOLLOW 1558.

>> Ted: IF IT REACHES THE GOVERNOR'S DESK SHE WOULD SIGN?

>> YES.

THESE ARE LOW INCOME SENIORS.

I KNOW SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS AND HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WOULD BE THE SAME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> Ted: ALL RIGHT.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WILDFIRE.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US INFORMATION ON THIS LEGISLATION.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.