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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

A LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING THE LEGISLATURE PASSING A BILL THAT REQUIRES LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL DEPORTATION PROGRAMS.

THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

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TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY, AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, AND JOINING US, HOWIE FISCHER OF CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES.

MARY JO PITZL OF "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM, AND MARK BRODIE OF KJZZ RADIO.

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOWIE, SOUNDS LIKE THIS DEPORTATION BILL THAT THE HOUSE PASSED, THE SENATE ALREADY PASSED IT, THIS IS NOT JUST A DEPORTATION BILL, THIS IS A SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT GOVERNOR.

>> WELL, IT'S ESSENTIALLY DARING THE GOVERNOR, IF YOU WILL, TO VETO IT.

IT SAYS YOU WILL COOPERATE.

YOU WILL COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS.

YOU WILL COOPERATE WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.

SOME OF THAT IS TECHNICAL.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY IN YOUR COUNTY JAIL AND IS A DETAIN OR THEM BY I.C.E., YOU HAVE TO KEEP THEM FOR I.C.E.

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT ELSE DOES IT MEAN?

IF KRISTI NOEM SWEEPS IN WITH HER AK-47, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT HER MAYBE LATER, DOES IT MEAN YOU HAVE TO GO OUT ON THEIR RAIDS WITH THEM?

DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN TERMS OF DOCUMENTATION, AND ANOTHER VERSION OF THE BILL SAYS THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAVE TO ALSO COOPERATE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TO INVESTIGATE FOR LOCAL DEPARTMENT THAT DOESN'T COOPERATE AND THEY LOSE THEIR STATE MONEY.

TED: THAT'S THE ONE.

EITHER DO YOU IT, OR YOU LOSE STATE MONEY?

>> YEP, IT WAS MONEY, AND THAT'S ALWAYS OFTEN THE THING THAT'S HELD OVER PEOPLE'S HEADS TO FORCE COMPLIANCE.

TED: THIS IS A FEDERAL DEPORTATION.

AS HOWIE MENTIONED, DETAINMENT REQUESTS, TRAINING OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR I.C.E.

DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> UM, WELL, WE WANT TO TOUGHEN THE BORDER AND HAVE AN ELECTION NEXT YEAR, AND WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT WHO IS GOING TO SEEK RE-ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR, AND I THINK THIS IS AIMED SQUARELY AT HER.

TED: YOU THINK, THOUGH?

>> THE ISSUE OF COOPERATION IS AN INTERESTING ONE FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, IT'S A NEBULOUS TERM.

WHAT WILL THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ASK FOR?

WHAT WILL I.C.E.

ASK FOR?

IT COULD BE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS HOWIE SAID, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY IN THE COUNTY JAIL ALREADY, HOLD THEM FOR I.C.E.

COULD BE WE WANT YOU TO GO OUT AND HAVE 20 SQUAD CARS GO OUT AND TRY TO FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HERE LEGALLY.

THE ISSUE OF COOPERATION IS KIND OF IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, IT SEEMS.

>> INTERESTING BECAUSE THE BILL THAT SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN SPONSORED FOR HAVING TOUGHER CONTROLS AT THE BORDER, THIS SORELY, WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COMING IN, MAYBE THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING AND THERE WON'T BE COST FOR THE STATE.

THIS OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE STATE HAVING TO FEND 20 OFFICERS IN SQUAD CARS.

>> THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF PASSAGE OF PROP 314, WHICH SAID THE POLICE CAN GO OUT CAN, ACTUALLY ARREST PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER AT OTHER THAN THE PORT OF ENTRY.

THAT'S ON HOLD FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT SEEMS TO BE A CERTAIN POPULAR FEELING THAT THE REPUBLICANS CAPITALIZE ON.

AS YOU POINT OUT, GOVERNOR IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR, WON BY 17,000 VOTES, KRIS MAYES WON THE ELECTION BY 280 VOTES, THEY'RE HOPING TO SOFTEN IT UP.

TED: HOW LIVELY IS THE BILL?

>> VERY LIVELY.

THE SENATE BILL, MARTINEZ BILL ESSENTIALLY ADMITTING THIS IS TO TRAP THE GOVERNOR, AND A LOT OF FOLKS WERE SAYING, WAIT, IF WE'RE COOPERATING, WE'VE SEEN JUST IN THE NEWS TODAY ABOUT SOMEBODY BEING DEPORTED.

OOPSY, IT WAS A MISTAKE.

WHAT IF WE'RE COOPERATING WITH THEM?

ARE WE LIABLE FOR DETAINING PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DEPORTED?

TED: WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR'S LIKELY RESPONSE.

TALK ABOUT THE ONE THAT BASICALLY SAYS COOPERATE WITH FEDS OR, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW WHAT?

>> I THINK FAIRLY SAFE BET IS SHE WOULD VETO THAT.

TED: RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT?

>> WELL, IT WILL BE HELD AGAINST HER, SAYING SHE IS SOFT ON THE BORDER.

DESPITE WHAT SHE'S TELLING YOU, LOOK AT WHAT SHE DOES OR DOESN'T DO.

>> OF COURSE, HER COMMENT IS LOOK WHAT I'M DOING.

I HAVE THIS SAVE TASK FORCE FOR BORDER SECURITY, AND LOOK AT ALL THE FENTANYL WE PICKED UP, AND LOOK AT ALL THE MARIJUANA WE PICKED UP.

SHE'S FOCUSING ON THAT AND SAYING THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION IS NOT PRIMARY.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE VOTERS BELIEVE THAT.

TED: IF VETOED, COULD THIS BE REVIVED AS SOMETHING THAT GETS ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR?

>> SURE, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH PROP 314, IT PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY LAST YEAR.

IF SHE VETOES IT, I DON'T THINK THERE'S REASON TO THINK THAT GOP LAWMAKERS WOULDN'T GO AROUND THE GOVERNOR AND PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR.

>> FRANKLY, THAT'S WHY OFTEN IN THE ODD NUMBERED YEARS, OFF ELECTION YEAR, YOU RUN THE BILLS UP THE FLAGPOLE, SEE IF THEY FLY, AND IF THEY DON'T RECAST IT AS A REFERRAL.

TED: HOW WOULD THE GOVERNOR FRAME A VETO IF SHE WERE TO VETO?

>> I THINK THEY'RE AIMING AT THE WRONG THING, THAT THE FEDS HAVE PLENTY OF RESOURCES, MADE THIS A PRIORITY.

I THINK BORDER CZAR HOMAN WHEN HE WAS HERE, HE OR SOMEONE IN THE ENTOURAGE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE BUDGET IS MUCH BIGGER FOR HOMELAND SECURITY.

WE DON'T NEED TO PUT STATE RESOURCES INTO THAT, AND THE STATE IS FOCUSED ON THE ILLEGAL DRUGS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

TED: MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> YEAH, THE DEMOCRATS IN GENERAL MADE THE ARGUMENT THAT IMMIGRATION IS A FEDERAL OBLIGATION, THAT THEY HAVE THE -- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE THE BORDER AND DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND THE STATE HAS A SLIVER OF THAT TO DEAL WITH THINGS INSIDE THE STATE OR AS MARY JO MENTIONED, PICKING UP FENTANYL OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT MIGHT CONTINUE TO BE THE GOVERNOR IF GOVERNOR HOBBS VETOES THIS.

>> THAT COMES DOWN TO WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING.

WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE 20, 30 YEARS, THEIR ONLY CRIME, IT'S A CIVIL OFFENSE TO BE IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION, IS BEING HERE WITHOUT DOCUMENTS.

AND SHE WILL SAY, DO WE REALLY WANT LOCAL POLICE RUNNING INTO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND ROUNDING UP PEOPLE.

SAYING SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS AND IS THAT THE ROLE OF POLICE?

A LOT OF LOCAL DEPARTMENTS AREN'T INTERESTED.

LOOK HOW LONG IT TOOK TO BUILD UP THE TRUST IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY'RE WILLING TO TALK AND REPORT CRIMES.

TED: YOU MENTIONED THE TRUMP BORDER CZAR VISITING THE CAPITOL ALONG WITH RFK JR.

VISITING THE CAPITOL AS WELL.

THE BORDER CZAR VISITED AND DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS SAID WE'RE OUT OF HERE?

>> SOME DIDN'T SHOW UP AT ALL, AND THOSE THAT DID PROMPTLY STOOD UP AND PARADED AROUND WITH SIGNS AS THEY WERE EXITING THE CHAMBER WITH THE NAMES OF THOSE THEY SAY ARE WRONGFULLY DEPORTED.

IT WAS A PROTEST THAT INTERESTINGLY DID NOT GET CAPTURED ON THE CAPITOL'S INHOUSE CIRCUIT, THEIR TV PROGRAM.

I WAS WATCHING FROM MY OFFICE AND DID NOT SEE THAT.

>> AND I WAS THERE.

THE ONLY REASON WE SAW IT, THE DEMOCRATS FIRST OF ALL, DIDN'T SAY WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE DOING.

THEY SAID WAIT AND WATCH.

BUT THIS WAS AS EFFECTIVE AS THE DEMOCRATS DURING STATE OF THE STATE HOLDING UP THEIR LITTLE PADDLES -- >> THE STATE OF THE UNION?

>> STATE OF THE UNION.

THE DEMOCRATS SEEMED TO HAVE NEUTERED FOR SO MANY OF THESE DISCUSSIONS, HOLDING UP AN 8 1/2 BY 11 PIECE OF PAPER WITH SOMEONE'S NAME ILLEGALLY DEPORTED AND LEAVING.

ANTHONY KERN WANTED TO PROTEST THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH BY THE CURRENT GOVERNOR.

HE STOOD UP, TURNED HIS BACK, AND THAT GOT ONGOING ATTENTION, AND THEN HOMAN PLAYED OFF OF IT, IF THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE HUNG AROUND, I WOULD HAVE TOLD THEM WHAT'S GOING ON.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING.

TED: WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE?

>> BASICALLY, IF YOU'RE IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY, LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER.

IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE.

IF WE FIND YOU, YOU'RE OUT.

IN A VERY SMALL NUTSHELL, HE MADE REFERENCES TO DOING DEPORTATIONS THE WAY THAT AMAZON DOES DELIVERIES.

A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT.

TED: OKAY, AND RFK JR. WAS ALSO AT THE CAPITOL.

WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE?

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN, AND THIS WAS SPECIFICALLY TO PROMOTE TWO BILLS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY UP TO THE GOVERNOR.

ONE THAT WOULD REMOVE CERTAIN ADDITIVES FROM SCHOOL MEALS IN THE NAME OF HEALTHIER FOOD, AND ANOTHER ONE THAT WOULD BAR PEOPLE WHO GET FOOD STAMPS FROM USING THE FOOD STAMPS TO BUY SODA, NOT CHOCOLATE MILK SHAKES, NOT YAHOO!

DRINKS.

TED: WHY?

>> THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I NEED MY CHOCOLATE.

TED: WHY SODA?

WHY THAT AND NOT THE OTHERS?

>> WELL, TO HEAR RFK JR., THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY, TELL SUSTHAT SODA IS THE MOST OBVIOUS AND EASIEST THING YOU CAN DO TO TRY TO ATTACK, REMOVE FROM PEOPLE'S DIETS BECAUSE THERE'S NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE AT ALL WHEREAS FOR HOWIE'S CHOCOLATE MILK SHAKE, THERE'S MILK.

NOT RAW MILK.

>> HE POINTS OUT THE OFFICIAL NAME OF FOOD STAMPS IS SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WHERE IS THE NUTRITION IN THERE?

I ASKED HIM, HAVE YOU SEEN THE SUGARED CEREALS ON THE SHELF?

HE SAYS IF IT WERE UP TO ME, WE'D GET RID OF THOSE TOO, YOU GOT TO START SOMEWHERE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

J.J. COOPER FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS TRIED TO ASK ABOUT THE OTHER THINGS GOING ON, AND WE'VE GOT ISSUES OF MEASLES AND VACCINES AND FLUORIDE AND HE WAS SHOUTED DOWN.

OBVIOUSLY, MR. KENNEDY AND ENTOURAGE ONLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THESE TWO BILLS.

TED: OKAY, BUT YOU ARRIVE SOMEWHERE, YOU'RE RFK JR. AND THE ONLY THING YOU TALK ABOUT IS SODA POP WHEN MEASLES IS -- >> AND SCHOOL LUNCHES.

TED: SORRY.

BUT MEASLES IS ON A LOT OF FOLKS' MINDS OUT THERE?

>> NOT LIKE TEXAS IS SUPER FAR AWAY FROM ARIZONA, WE HAVEN'T HAD MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN THE LAST DECADE.

NOT LIKE THERE AREN'T FAIRLY LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T VACCINATED AGAINST MEASLES HERE ALSO.

PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO HEAR WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING OR WHAT THE RESPONSE IS MAYBE WHAT THE OUTREACH IS TO OFFICIALS IN TEXAS TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE BILLS.

TED: DID HE NOT MENTION MEASLES AT ALL?

>> IN FAIRNESS, HE DID TAKE ONE QUESTION ON MEASLES BEFORE HIS ENTOURAGE SHUT DOWN FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS, AND HE SAID, HE CITED STATISTICS AND NOTED THAT THE RATE OF INCREASE WAS SLOWING, AND THE U.S. IS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, WHICH I DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR MODEL IS, IT JUST LET MEASLES RUN THROUGH A COMMUNITY.

THERE WAS NO CHANCE TO ELABORATE ON THAT BECAUSE THE NEXT QUESTION WAS ASKING ABOUT THE MMR VACCINE WHICH RFK JR. SAID EARLIER IN THE WEEK IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO FIGHT MEASLES.

WE DIDN'T GET TO HEAR LABRATION ON THAT.

>> THAT'S THE POINT, HE'S BEEN ALL OVER THE BOARD ON THE ISSUE OF VACCINES.

HE SAID WITHIN SIX MONTHS, HE WILL HAVE AN ANSWER FOR WHAT CAUSES AUTISM.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS FOR DECADES AND IN SIX MONTHS HE'S GOING TO TURN UP THE MAGIC BULLET?

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE A GUY FOCUSED IN ONE WAY AND DOESN'T HAVE THE SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND, DOESN'T UNDERSTAND, HE HAYS A VIEWPOINT.

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR GETTING RED DYE NUMBER 3 AND YELLOW DYE NUMBER 11, GIVES CHEETOS THE BEAUTIFUL ORANGE LOOK OUT OF FOOD SERVED TO CHILDREN, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH MORE INVOLVED WITH BEING THE HEAD OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

TED: YES?

>> ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE SCHOOL LUNCH BILL.

THIS IS SOMETHING DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO FOR A WHILE NOW.

THE BILL IS BIPARTISAN.

ONE OF THE ISSUES I KEEP HEARING ABOUT, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SCHOOL LUNCHES HEALTHIER?

WHERE IS THE MONEY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

THAT'S MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WHAT SCHOOLS ARE PAYING FOR WHATEVER IT IS THEY'RE SERVING THE KIDS.

>> A LITTLE MORE ON THAT.

THE OTHER THING DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING IS WHAT A CHANGE OF HEART FROM THE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAD HEART ATTACKS ABOUT MICHELLE OBAMA PLANTING A VEGETABLE GARDEN ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN.

NOW EVERYBODY IS ON BOARD WITH THE WHOLE FOODS, GET RID OF ADDITIVES WHICH IS SENSIBLE AND THE COUNTRY COULD USE IT.

WE HAVE A HIGH OBESITY RATE.

TED: SEEMS LIKE A RIGHT MESSENGER, WRONG MESSENGER SITUATION?

>> THE MESSENGER IS CONFLICTED.

WE SEEN HIM EATING McDONALD'S AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS, BUT FRIED IN THE CERTAIN KIND OF OIL.

>> THAT'S THE OTHER PIECE OF IT.

FOR A LONG TIME WE WERE TOLD DON'T USE BEEF FAT, USE NATURAL THINGS, USE GRAPE SEED OIL AND OLIVE OIL, AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, BEEF TALLO IS THE WAY.

THERE WAS A MOVIE WOODY ALLEN WAS IN WHERE HE WOKE UP AFTER A CENTURY AND ALL THE DOCTORS WERE SMOKING, AND HE SAID SMOKING IS BAD, NO, IT'S GOOD FOR YOU, IT'S THE WHEAT GRASS THAT WILL KILL YOU.

TED: WE GOT A WOODY ALLEN FILM IN HERE.

ALSO HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY WAS AT THE BORDER EXPO?

>> AT THE PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER.

ALL THE GREATEST TOYS STATES CAN BUY.

TED: IT WAS A CONVENTION?

>> IT WAS A CONVENTION AND SHE WAS SAYING IF YOU'VE GOT GOOD STUFF, WE'RE GOING TO NEED HELP.

KIND OF LIKE WHAT HOWIE WAS SAYING WITH TOM HOMAN SAYING THE BORDER IS GOING TO BE -- THE BUDGET WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE IT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND TO AN EXTENT COUNTY SHERIFFS AND STATES NEED MORE EQUIPMENT, MORE SURVEILLANCE, MORE TOYS AS IT WERE TO DO THIS, AND THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE VENDORS ARE SELLING THEIR WEARS.

>> I'M SORRY, KRISTI NOEM DRESSED UP IN ALMOST BATTLE FATIGUES HOLDING AN AR-15 WHICH SEEMED TO BE POINTED TO THE HEAD OF THE POOR GUY FROM BORDER PATROL NEXT TO HER.

SHE LOVES THIS PHOTO-OP.

SHE WENT TO EL SALVADOR STAND IN FRONT OF THE INMATES.

IN SOME WAYS SHE'S PLAYING DRESSUP.

THIS IS THE WOMAN WHO KILLED A DOG BECAUSE THE DOG DIDN'T HUNT VERY WELL.

YOU GOTTA KNOW, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS WOMAN'S MIND?

TED: DIDN'T SHE ALSO JOIN I.C.E.

IN A ROUNDUP OR DEPORTATION OF THREE ORDERS?

>> SHE'S DONE SEVERAL OF THEM.

DID ONE IN NEW YORK, THEY TOOK ALONG A REPORTER FROM THE NEW YORK POST AND FOUND THREE PEOPLE, BUT BY GEORGE, WE WERE ALL DRESSED UP IN CAMO GEAR AND WE'RE READY TO GO.

TED: THAT WAS PLANNED FROM THE ARIZONA HOMELAND SECURITY PERSON, PLANNED WELL IN ADVANCE, THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY, HEY, WE FOUND THREE PEOPLE.

LET'S MOVE ON HERE, WHAT IS AXON, AND WHY IS IT CAUSING SUCH A COMMOTION?

>> AXON IS AN ARIZONA-GROWN--BASED COMPANY.

THEY MAKE TASERS AND THAT'S HOW THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY KNOWN.

THEY HAVE BOUGHT A BIG PARCEL OF STATE TRUST LAND.

WE'RE GOING TO BUILD OUR INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS HERE, AND THEN THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN HOUSING.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING A LOT OF WORKERS HERE.

WE'VE GOT HOUSING AND HOUSING SHORTAGES, WE WANT TO DO THIS, AND THE SCOTTSDALE CITY COUNCIL GRANTED THAT, IN TERMS OF ZONING, ET CETERA.

THEY GAVE AN EXCEPTION FOR THAT.

AND CITIZENS ROSE UP AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REFERRED THIS TO THE BALLOT.

WELL, AND THEN -- >> AND THEN?

>> AND THEN, LAWMAKERS GOT THE 29,000 WHATEVER SIGNATURES THEY NEEDED TO REFER IT.

UNDER ARIZONA LAW, IF YOU GET THE 16% SIGNATURES, UNDERLYING ISSUE IS HELD UP UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2026.

THE CEO OF AXON SAID I DON'T WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG AND HAVE TO FIGHT THIS.

HE WENT TO THE LEGISLATURE, INTERESTING BILL, SAID IF YOU'RE A CITY BETWEEN 200,000 AND 500,000 BUYING SO MANY ACRES OF LAND, PAYING EMPLOYEES ON THE PROPERTY AND YOU HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY, IF YOU HAVE A PIECE OF LAND THAT IS LIGHT AND INDUSTRIAL, YOU GET THE PROPERTY YOU OPT IT.

TED: SEEMS AWFULLY SPECIFIC THERE, MARK.

>> IT SHOCKINGLY DOES.

THIS IS A BILL AIMED AT ONE COMPANY.

THE SPONSOR SAYING NO, IT COULD BE OTHERS, BUT THE TWO INTERESTING THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS IS THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL WAS MADE BY A LAME DUCK CITY COUNCIL.

THE NEW COUNCIL CAME IN, AND THEY WERE NOT IN FAVOR OF IT, BUT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STARTING TO COLLECT SIGNATURES.

THE OTHER INTERESTING THING IS MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT TO STOP IT IS THE APARTMENTS THEY DON'T LIKE.

THEY WEREN'T UPSET ABOUT RETAIL, WEREN'T UPSET ABOUT A HOTEL ON THE PROPERTY, THEY DIDN'T WANT APARTMENTS.

TED: APARTMENTS AND CONDOS.

>> RIGHT.

TED: SAME THING.

ONE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER QUOTED IN THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC" SAYING LAWMAKERS OFFERED CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR THEIR VOTE.

REALLY?

>> WELL, THIS WAS A JOSEPH CHAPLICK QUOTE.

EVERY SCOTTSDALE LAWMAKER.

TED: HE'S ALSO A REPUBLICAN.

>> ALSO A REPUBLICAN.

EVERY LAWMAKER REPRESENTING SCOTTSDALE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S DEMOCRATS LIVING IN SCOTTSDALE, THAT'S ANOTHER STORY, EVERY SCOTTSDALE LAWMAKER IS OPPOSED TO THIS.

HE CLAIMED, HE WAS TOLD SECONDHAND, THAT SOMEBODY, THE CEO OF AXON SAID IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS, WE WILL GUARANTEE YOUR CAMPAIGN FINANCES AND SAID ON THE FLOOR, WHY DON'T YOU STAND UP AND SAY SOMETHING?

NOBODY DID, SO, AGAIN, THIS IS HEARSAY AT BEST.

THE FACT IS DO CORPORATE EXECUTIVES TELL POLITICIANS WE'RE MORE LIKELY TO LOOK FONDLY ON YOU THE NEXT TIME YOU RUN FOR OFFICE, IF YOU VOTE OUR WAY?

YEAH.

IS THAT A TIT-FOR-TAT?

TED: CHAPLIK SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO SCANDALOUS.

>> THE CEO SAID IF YOU BLOCK THIS BILL, YOUR CAREER IS OVER.

PEOPLE ARE THROWING THEIR WEIGHT AROUND.

>> THE BILL IS NOT BLOCKED.

HOUSE APPROVES.

IT GETS TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR DOES WHAT?

>> DOESN'T IT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE SENATE?

TED: IN THE LONG TERM?

>> I THINK GIVEN THAT THE BILL GOT 40 VOTES, GIVEN THAT A LOT OF THEM WERE DEMOCRATS WHO WERE JUST AS HAPPY TO WATCH THE REPUBLICANS DESTROY THEMSELVES, I THINK SHE SAYS WHAT THE SUPPORTERS DID, THIS NOT JUST A SCOTTSDALE ISSUE, THIS IS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPANY.

EVERY TIME YOU SEE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE ON THE TV, AXON, THAT'S THEM, AND THE GOVERNOR WILL SAY, GIVEN WHAT WENT ON, GIVEN THAT MANY OF THE SIGNATURES WERE PAID FOR BY A UNION UNHAPPY WITH AXON, I THINK IN THIS CASE, I'LL SIGN IT.

TED: INTERESTING, AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS VERY MUCH FOR THIS.

>> YEAH.

HOWIE IS RIGHT, THIS IS BECOMING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUE, AND SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL POINTED OUT.

OTHER STATES, TEXAS IS ONE, IF ARIZONA DOESN'T WANT YOU, WE'D BE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.

IT'S A HOMEGROWN COMPANY, BIG INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS HERE IN THE STATE.

A LOT OF POLICYMAKERS DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT.

TED: YEAH, YEAH, MARY JO, ARIZONA DISABILITY FUNDING, WE TALK ABOUT THIS.

WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THIS?

>> THE LATEST IS THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE INTRODUCED A BILL THAT SAYS WE WILL APPROPRIATE THE MONEY TO GIVE YOU THE $122 MILLION THAT'S NEEDED TO KEEP THIS PROGRAM RUNNING THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT WE GOT ALL THESE CONDITIONS ON IT.

GOT TO DO THIS, THIS, THIS AND DOWN THE ROAD, WE'LL CUT THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT WE WILL PAY THE PARENTS WHO ACT AS CAREGIVERS FOR THEIR KIDS LIKE TO 20.

CURRENTLY THEY'RE GETTING 40+ HOURS.

IT'S BEEN A BIG FIGHT OVER -- THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T TELL THE LEGISLATURE IN ENOUGH TIME.

SHE JUST FAILED TO TELL THEM THAT THIS PROGRAM IS RUNNING ON THE HIGH END, AND THEY'RE UPSET, BUT YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE PEOPLE, PARENTS WITH KIDS WITH DISABILITIES, YOU'VE ALSO GOT CAREGIVERS, AND THEY'RE LIKE, MONEY IS RUNNING OUT MAY 1.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

WE ARE FORGETTING THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE, AND IT'S BAKE AND FORTH BETWEEN LAWMAKERS' INTENT ON THE PROCESS AND THE GOVERNOR SAYING, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, YOU DO THIS FOR ESAS, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM.

>> BUT ONE OF THE POINTS BEING MADE BY REPUBLICANS IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD POINT.

WE GET INTO THESE THINGS BECAUSE AGENCIES GET ON ASK MEDICAID AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR FEDERAL WAIVERS, THE FEDERAL FUNDING BACKS AWAY AND WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THEY WANT, ANY TIME YOU ASK FOR THE WAIVERS, YOU NEED TO TELL US FIRST, JUST IN CASE THE MONEY RUNS OUT.

OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING WE WANT A CLEAN BILL, AGENCIES KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING, EVERYTHING IS FINE, NOTHING TO SEE BUT NOT NECESSARILY UNREASONABLE DEMAND IF YOU ARE OBLIGATING THE STATE FOR WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY RUNS OUT.

AS WE'VE SEEN WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, FEDERAL MONEY IS RUNNING OUT ON A LOT OF THE STUFF.

TED: IS IT REASONABLE TO COMPARE THE CAP OF MONEY WITH THE NO INCOME CAP THAT GOES WITH ESAS?

>> TWO VERY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR PARENTS WHO ARE TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS WHO CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

THE OTHER ISSUE TO CONSIDER IS IF PARENTS ONLY GET 20 HOURS OR NO HOURS, IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S A POOL OF CAREGIVERS OUT THERE THAT FAMILIES CAN BRING IN, THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE, I BELIEVE, TO GET SOME KIND OF STIPEND TO DO THAT, BUT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY CAREGIVERS OUT THERE WHO ARE ABLE, QUALIFIED AND WILLING TO DO THIS KIND OF WORK.

>> THERE ARE PARALLELS WITH ESAs, I WILL SAY THAT CONSTITUTIONALLY, THE STATE MUST PROVIDE MONEY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE VOUCHER MONEY COMES OUT OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION BUDGET, AND IF THEY RUN HIGH ON COSTS, WELL, THE LEGISLATURE FEELS OBLIGED TO -- THEY DON'T HAVE TO, THEY COULD PUT GUARDRAILS ON THE PROGRAM, THE DDD PROGRAM CAME IN SOON AFTER ARIZONA CAME UP WITH THE AHCCCS PROGRAM.

>> THE 40 HOURS CAME IN AFTER COVID WHEN THE PARENTS COULD NOT FIND OUTSIDE CAREGIVERS BECAUSE THEY SAID, LOOK, WE WILL PAY YOU SOME STIP TEND TO PROVIDE 40 HOURS A WEEK OF THIS.

BUT AS MARK POINTS OUT, THE CAREGIVERS HAVEN'T COME BACK.

WHAT'S THE OBLIGATION OF THE STATE HERE?

TED: AND WHAT'S NEXT IN THIS?

>> WHAT'S NEXT IS CONTINUED NO, YOU DID IT, NO, YOU DIDN'T, NO, IT'S NOT UP TO ME.

WE'RE APPROACHING A DEADLINE, MAY 1, WHERE THE MONEY RUNS OUT.

OKAY, WE'RE HERE CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF APRIL.

THERE WILL BE MORE HUFFING AND PUFFING.

THEY WOKE THEM UP WITH THE MONEY.

THERE WILL BE A CONDITION ATTACHED BECAUSE I DON'T SEE THE REPUBLICANS BACKING OFF BUT WILL COME UP WITH THE MONEY.

TED: TOO MANY CONDITIONS ATTACHED?

>> WELL, THE PERSON WHO'S GOT TO SIGN THE BILL THINKS SO, YEAH, AND SHE POINTS OUT THAT SOME OF THE POLICIES ADDED TO THE MONEY VIOLATE THE WAY YOU DO A BUDGET.

IF YOU REMEMBER, THERE WAS A BIG SUPREME COURT RULING THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T MIX POLICY WITH THE NUMBERS IN A BUDGET.

THOSE ARE SEPARATE BILLS.

THEY GOT A LOT TO SORT OUT.

BACK IN LATE JANUARY, REPRESENTATIVE LIVINGSTON CHAIR OF THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SAID WE WILL HAVE THIS RESOLVED BY APRIL 24, WE'LL BE SINE DIE BY THEN.

I DON'T THINK THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO WRAP UP THE SESSION, BUT THEY'VE SIGNALED, WE'RE GOING TO COVER THE 122 MILLION, BUT THE QUESTION IS AT WHAT COST IN TERMS OF POLICY AND MAYBE THEY TAKE IT OUT OF NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET MONEY, AND NEXT YEAR KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

TED: MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> MARY JO IS RIGHT.

THEY WILL FIND SOMETHING, WHETHER THEY APPROPRIATE IT AND TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET OR SOMETHING ELSE AND ARGUING OVER NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE SAYING WE'RE TIGHT IN REVENUE, AND WE HAVE BILLS TO LOWER THE STATE INCOME TAX RATE.

WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY THERE IS?

TED: WHEN WE FIND OUT, WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT ON THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.