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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

A LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING THE LEGISLATURE REJECTING ANOTHER OF THE STATE'S NOMINEES.

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, DENNIS WELCH OF CBS 5 AND 3TV.

ALSO JOINING US, MARY JO PITZL OF "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

AND JIM SMALL OF THE "ARIZONA MIRROR."

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> GREAT TO BE BACK, IT'S BEEN A MINUTE.

TED: WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU.

START WITH JOAN SERVICE, WHO IS SHE AND WHY ARE WE STARTING WITH HER?

>> PICKED TO RUN THE HOUSING AGENCY OR THE STATE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, HER NOMINATION WENT DOWN ON THE FLOOR.

IT COULD NOT GET IT THROUGH.

I WASN'T TOO SURPRISED BY THIS GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THIS GOVERNOR AND NOMINEES MOVING FORWARD, IT'S MORE OF THIS TENSION THAT YOU SEE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE AND THIS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

TED: SO BUSINESS AS USUAL IN SOME RESPECTS.

WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE?

>> I'VE LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY NOMINEES HAVE BEEN REJECTED.

PANEL VETTED HER LAST YEAR, OR WAS IT 2023?

IT WAS LAST YEAR, AND CAME UP WITH A NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATION.

YOU CAN STILL SERVE AFTER THE GOVERNOR APPOINT YOU FOR A YEAR.

A YEAR HAD LAPSED AND SOMEONE LOOKED AT THE CALENDAR AND SAID NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

THE YEAR IS UP SO OUT SHE GOES AND CALLED A VOTE AND THE GOVERNOR HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER.

>> WANT TO GET TO THAT IN A SECOND.

SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE LEGISLATURE WARNED HER.

DON'T SEND HER UP HERE AGAIN.

>> THAT'S KIND OF BEEN THE TENOR OF THE COMMUNICATION BACK TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WE DON'T LIKE THIS PERSON, DON'T SEND THEM AND THE GOVERNOR HAD, OF COURSE, WE ALL REMEMBER IT, TRIED TO GET AROUND THE SENATE AND PULLED DIRECTORS BACK AND RECLASSIFIED THEM AS DEPUTY DIRECTORS OR A MADE-UP TITLE AS A WAY TO GET AROUND THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS.

THE COURT STEPPED IN, SAID NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW NOT THE ABSOLUTE LETTER OF IT.

REPUBLICANS TOLD THE GOVERNOR, IF YOU SEND US PEOPLE WE SAID WE DON'T WANT, WE'RE GOING TO REJECT THEM.

I THINK THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENCE OF THAT.

TED: WHY DID THEY NOT WANT HER?

WHAT SPECIFICALLY?

>> IF I REMEMBER, THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS, MAYBE JIM IS FILL US IN, ALLEGATIONS OF PLAGIARISM, THERE WAS SOME FRAUD THAT WAS COMMITTED UNDER HER LEADERSHIP OR PRIOR THAT WASN'T CAUGHT QUICK ENOUGH AND THEY'RE BLAMING HER FOR THIS, THOUGH THE AGENCY WAS THE VICTIM OF THIS PURPORTED CRIME, AND THEY'RE GOING AFTER HER FOR THIS, AND I THINK THAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THEM TO JUSTIFY THEIR VOTES.

TED: WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, THE BUZZ PHRASE, MENTIONED AS WHY THEY DIDN'T WANT HER HANGING AROUND.

>> EARLY DAYS AFTER SERVICE DID COME ON BOARD AS A PENDING NOMINEE, THE CRITICISM IS -- SHE CAME FROM THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY AND CUT AND PASTED SOMETHING FROM SOMEBODY'S PITCH AND SUBMITTED IT UNDER HER NAME.

WHICH IS COMMON IN THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY.

I BELIEVE LAWMAKERS GET LOTS OF E-MAILS EVERY DAY, IN THIS CASE, IT WAS DEEMED TO BE PLAGIARISM.

TED: HOW DID THE GOVERNOR RESPOND?

>> BEFORE THE SENATE VOTE, SHE SENT OUT THE NEWS RELEASE DETAILING JOAN SERVICE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TOUTING WHAT THE AGENCY IS ABLE TO DO TO GET PEOPLE INTO HOUSING.

THE DAY AFTER, SHE WAS VERY CRITICAL OF JAKE HOFFMAN AS EVERYONE KNOWS AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DINO COMMITTEE, HE'S TAKEN THIS SYSTEM AND RUN IT OFF THE TRACKS, THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK, IF HE WANTS TO PICK AGENCY NOMINEES THEN HE SHOULD RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

TED: INTERESTING.

>> I'M SURE HE'D LIKE TO DO THAT AS WELL.

>> TO WHICH HE SAID, I GOT MY MAN.

HE'S BACKING HER.

TED: SO THE GOVERNOR, AND I GUESS THE GOVERNOR IS STILL THINKS THAT JOAN SERVICE IS THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB.

IS THERE A NEXT BEST PERSON?

>> THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN TERMS OF LEADERSHIP AT THIS AGENCY.

IT'S BEEN TUMULTUOUS FOR ALL THE STATE AGENCIES UNDER GOVERNOR HOBBS JUST BECAUSE OF THE LOGJAM IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS IN MOST CASES TO LET HER CABINET MEMBERS GO FORWARD AND LEAD THE STATE AGENCIES.

TED: JIM, STICKING WITH YOU, THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR AT ODDS OVER DISABILITY FUNDING AT DES.

WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

>> COMPLICATED AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS THERE IS THE DIVISION OF DISABILITY PROGRAMS THAT THE STATE PAYS FOR, PAYS FOR A LOT OF THINGS FOR MEDICAL CARE.

ANOTHER THING IS FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE SERIOUSLY DISABLED CHILDREN TO STAY HOME AND TO CARE FOR THEM AND PAYS THEM TO DO THAT, TO BE IN-HOME CARE WORKERS.

THE RATIONALE IS IT'S CHEAPER TO PAY THE PARENTS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN THAN TO HIRE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO COME INTO HOMES AND DO THAT WORK.

THERE'S A LOT TO TURN OVER FOR THOSE JOBS.

THEY'RE HARD TO COME BY A LOT OF TIMES.

SO THE STATE STARTED TO DO THIS A FEW YEARS AGO, A PILOT PROGRAM, COMPLETELY FEDERALLY FUNDED.

LAST YEAR THE FUNDING RAN OUT AND THE STATE DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO EXTEND -- THE HOBBS ADMINISTRATION DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO PAY FOR IT WITH STATE DOLLARS.

REPUBLICANS DIDN'T WANT HER TO BUT THEY DID IT ANYWAY.

THE DIVISION FOR DISABILITY CARE HAS $120 MILLION SHORTFALL.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THEY'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY IN MAY AND ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO GO AWAY AND STOP AND PARENTS ARE LEFT WITHOUT MONEY TO CARE FOR THEIR KIDS.

>> 60,000 KIDS ARE DEPENDENT ON THIS, IF IT RUNS OUT IN MAY, THEY MIGHT NOT GET SERVICE UNTIL THE START OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> WHICH COULD BE TWO MONTHS?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE SESSION IS GOING TO END.

LAWMAKERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PROCESS, BUT THE DEBATE HAS BEEN ABOUT PROCESS, AND I DID FIND A BUDGET NOTE THAT SAID HOBBS WAS GOING TO PAY FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THIS PROGRAM WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS.

SHE CONTROLS FEDERAL DOLLARS, YOU DON'T NEED THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY'RE UPSET SHE DIDN'T TELL THEM THIS WAS GOING TO RUN SHORT OF MONEY UNTIL BUDGET REQUESTS CAME OUT AND WE NEED ANOTHER 122 MILLION BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT IT SORT HAS TAKEN THE FOCUS OFF THE 60,000 SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABLED CHILDREN, WHO ARE OUT THERE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT AT THE CAPITOL EVERY DAY, RAMPING UP THE PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS.

THEY WERE OUT WEDNESDAY FOR THE WHOLE DAY.

THEY MARCHED AROUND THE CAPITOL, THEY HAD NEWS CONFERENCES, TRIED TO MEET WITH INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE?

TED: YEAH, SOUNDS LIKE THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE LIVINGSTON, THE GOVERNOR IS NOT NEGOTIATING WITH US, THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN ME ANYTHING TO NEGOTIATE WITH.

LOGGERHEADS HERE?

>> YEAH, DOESN'T BODE WELL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT THEY HAVE SAID NO ONE HAS MET WITH ANYBODY AND NO ONE IS INCLINED TO MEET WITH ANYBODY.

GOVERNOR, IF SHE GETS AWAY, WOULD GET THE MONEY SEPARATELY FROM THE REST OF THE BUDGET.

A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION, A STAND-ALONE BILL THAT HAS MONEY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO SEND THE MONEY AS PART OF THE REGULAR BUDGET PROCESS.

YOU NEED TO MEET WITH US.

WE NEED TO DO THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS WHICH TAKES WEEKS IF NOT MONTHS TO GET SERIOUS.

>> BUT JIM, REPRESENTATIVE LIVINGSTON SAID THEY WILL HAVE A BUDGET IN SINE DIE BY APRIL 24 BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE MONEY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED DEPARTMENT FUNDS RUN OUT.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO BE BETTING ON THAT ONE.

I WONDER WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THEIR SWORDS DOWN AND SAY IS THIS THE LOOK WE WANT FOR PEOPLE?

THIS IS A REALLY TERRIBLE LOOKING STORY FOR THE LEGISLATURE AT LARGE, IF YOU'RE HOLDING UP FUNDING FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED CARE, AND THEM DOWN THERE PROTESTING ALL THE TIME AT THIS MEETING LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO BACKFIRE ON THEM.

TED: DENNIS, THE GOVERNOR CREATES A BORDER TASK FORCE.

WHAT IS OPERATION DESERT GUARDIAN.

>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT DESERT GUARDIAN IS, LOOK AT DOUG DUCEY'S BORDER STRIKE FORCE, IT BEARS A LOT OF RESEMBLANCE TO THAT.

WHEN SHE WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR GOVERNOR, SHE USED TO POKE FUN AT DOUG DUCEY'S BORDER STRIKE FORCE SAYING IT'S NOT A FORCE AND DOESN'T STRIKE AT THE BORDER.

THAT WAS A GOOD LINE CAMPAIGNING FOR GOVERNOR, BUT NOW HE'S ON THE NINTH FLOOR AND REALIZES PEOPLE IN ARIZONA WANT SOMETHING DONE WITH BORDER SECURITY, AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT REALISTICALLY THAT THE STATE CAN DO WHEN IT COMES TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW AND BORDER SECURITY.

WHAT IT IS, IT'S MONEY THAT'S GOING TO HELP LOCAL AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES COORDINATE ACTIONS TO TRY TO GO AFTER PEOPLE ALONG THE BORDER.

>> YUMA, PIMA, COCHISE, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, SHE'S WORKED WITH THE SHERIFFS DOWN THERE.

WHAT DOES THIS DO?

>> WELL, IT FOCUSES MORE ATTENTION ON THE BORDER.

SENDS A SIGNAL THAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING THINGS AT THE BORDER THAT ARE NOT SENATOR WARREN PETERSEN'S BORDER BILL WHICH JUST GOT OUT OF THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

TED: JIM, SHE TALKS ABOUT DISMANTLING SUPPLY CHAINS AND OPERATING NETWORKS, HOW?

>> COORDINATION.

I THINK WHAT DENNIS SAID, IT REALLY IS A WAY TO EMPOWER THE STATE POLICE AND LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES TO WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HOPEFULLY GET INFORMATION SHARING, SOME COORDINATION, TRYING TO GO AFTER THESE SMUGGLING NETWORKS WHETHER THEY'RE SMUGGLING DRUGS OR SMUGGLING PEOPLE AND TRY TO IMPACT THAT IN SOME FASHION.

>> AND SAID IT IS BUILDING ON STEP THAT SHE'S TAKEN PRIOR FROM DAY ONE IN OFFICE, TAKING ALL THESE STEPS.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT SHE'S DONE BEFORE, PRIOR STEPS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHING THINGS AT PORTS OF ENTRY.

THIS WOULD BE MORE FOCUS IN BETWEEN PORTS OF ENTRY, COORDINATING RESPONSES AND WHATEVER BETWEEN THE FEDERAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

TED: IS THIS FIRST PRESS RELEASE FOR THE HOBBS FOR RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN?

>> THE FIRST PRESS RELEASE WAS WHEN SHE WAS DOWN IN NOGALES TALKING ABOUT EFFORTS NATIONAL GUARD WAS DOING DOWN THERE AND AIDING THE BORDER PATROL DOWN THERE.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE FIRST.

THIS FOLDS NICELY INTO THAT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY -- SHE HAS ANY OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TRY TO LOOK TOUGH ON THE BORDER, AND THAT NOVEMBER ELECTION WITH THE SECURE THE BORDER ACT, THAT PASSED WITH BIG NUMBERS, CLEAR MESSAGE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BRILLIANT IN POLITICS TO KNOW WHAT THE MESSAGE IS HERE.

TED: THERE'S POLITICS AT PLAY HERE, IS THERE NOT?

>> YES, DO YOU NEED ASK?

TED: I NEED TO ASK.

>> LOOK, THERE'S AN ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING, AND WE'LL SEE.

MAYBE THIS FOCUS ON THE AREA IS BETWEEN THE PORTS OF ENTRY, CLOSELY MONITORED, ALREADY.

STOP CARTELS?

I DON'T KNOW, REDIRECT DRUGS, SEIZE DRUGS OR BREAK UP SMUGGLING RINGS.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, JIM?

DOES IT CHANGE THE METER, CHANGE ANYTHING AT ALL HOW THE GOVERNOR PERCEIVED FOR BORDER ISSUES?

>> THIS PARTICULAR THING, NO.

AS DENNIS SAID, IT'S A THREAT IN THE LARGER GARMENT THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO WEAVE, AND THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND TRY TO BLUNT THE ATTACK.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ATTACKED FOR BEING WEAK ON BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION, AND THE GOAL IS TO STOP THE ATTACKS AND MINIMIZE THEM AND TRY TO HAVE THINGS TO POINT TO, TO SAY LOOK, HERE'S ALL THE THINGS WE DID.

WE STOPPED THIS MANY DRUGS AND SENT THIS MANY PEOPLE TO PRISON.

TED: THIS COMES AT A TIME WHEN YOU LOOK AT NUMBERS, THE NUMBER OF BORDER CROSSINGS AND ENCOUNTERS HAVE REALLY PLUMMETED, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COMPARE LIKE JANUARY OF 2025 TO JANUARY OF 2024, YOU SEE 65, 70% DROP IN THE NUMBER OF ENCOUNTERS DOWN THERE.

I ASKED THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS, SHE SAID THIS IS FOCUSED ON THE DRUGS AND TRYING TO GET THE DRUGS AND GUNS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER MORE SO THAN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH OPERATIONS DESERT GUARDIAN.

TED: YES, THERE WE GO.

MARY JO, FAMILIAR FACE AT THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK, KYRSTEN SINEMA, FORMER STATE LAWMAKER.

>> YES.

FORMER STATE LAWMAKER, FORMER U.S.

SENATOR, NOW A CITIZEN, AND SHOWED UP TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A COMPETITIVE BID PROJECT TO FUND A RESEARCH CENTER TO DO CLINICAL TRIALS ON THIS PLANT-DERIVED TREATMENT THAT HAS SHOWN PROMISE IN CURING AND ALLEVIATING TRAUMATIC INJURY.

TED: CALLED IBO GAINE?

>> THEY SAY IBOGAINE.

IT IS A PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG, THE PROPOSAL IS $5 MILLION, GIVE IT TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PUT OUT A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS, AND SINEMA WILL WORK TO RAISE A MATCHING 5 MILLION, THEY WANT TO RUN CLINICAL TRIALS AND ESTABLISH ARIZONA AS THE EPICENTER FOR TESTING OUT THE DRUGS THAT ARE INITIALLY TARGETED AT VETERANS.

TED: SCHEDULE 1 PSYCHO ACTIVE PRODUCT FOR TRIALS HERE?

>> MY FATHER WAS A COMBAT VETERAN IN VIETNAM, AND BEFORE ANY KIND OF TREATMENT THAT COULD HELP OUT, WE SAW LOTS OF TESTIMONY THAT DAY, THEY'VE SEEN RESULTS AND THEY WANT TO MOVE THROUGH THAT, BUT I WANT TO SAY ON MORE OF A POLITICAL SIDE.

MY FAVORITE PART AFTERWARDS, SHE WAS ASKED IF SHE WAS LOBBYING FOR THE BILL.

AFTER YOU LEAVE SENATE OR CONGRESS, THERE ARE LIMITATIONS WHAT CAN YOU LOBBY WITH.

SHE SAID I WASN'T LOBBYING FOR THIS.

IT WAS A PASSION PROJECT, THOUGH THE ENTIRE TIME SHE WAS TESTIFYING BEFORE THAT COMMITTEE, SHE KEPT SAYING VOTE FOR OUR BILL.

SHE SAYS THAT'S NOT LOBBYING.

GO AHEAD, BELIEVE HER ON THAT, I SUPPOSE.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE SHE'S A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER AND DID TAKE A IN A MOMENT LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE AND SAY, YEAH, THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOTTEN A REFRESH, THE CARPET IS EVEN CLEAN, WHICH DREW A LOT OF CHUCKLES AND CONFESSED TO HAVING PTSD COMING BACK TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.

TED: DID IT PASS THE COMMITTEE 13-1?

>> THE FLAGS ARE WAVING AND TEARS WERE FALLING, ALL A VERY PATRIOTIC SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.

TED: GOOD TO SEE HER BACK FOR SOME?

>> YEAH.

SHE POPPED UP AND IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO WHY BECAUSE, AS WE DO, WE'RE WORKING ON STUFF AND IT'S ON A MONITOR, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

[LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT, JIM, NINTH CIRCUIT UPHOLDING A BLOC OF THIS FEDERAL ONLY VOTING SITUATION, IT'S CONFUSING, SCOPE IT DOWN FOR US.

>> IT IS.

WE REWIND TO 2004, VOTERS APPROVED A LAW THAT SAID YOU HAVE TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP IN ORDER TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN ARIZONA.

THAT WORKED ALL WELL AND GOOD UNTIL THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED CHALLENGING THAT BASICALLY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS LAW, YOU CAN'T, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LIMITS WHAT STATES CAN DO.

STATES CAN REGULATE THINGS FOR CERTAIN THINGS BUT NOT VOTING FOR PRESIDENT.

THE CASE WENT TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

THE STATE CAN REQUIRE CITIZENSHIP FOR STATE ELECTIONS, NOT FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

OTHER STATES BASICALLY PULLED THE LAWS OFF THE BOOKS AND LET THINGS GO THE WAY THEY WERE.

ARIZONA FORGED ITS OWN PATH AND CREATED A TWO TIERED SYSTEM, WE'LL HAVE FULL VOTERS AND FEDERAL ONLY VOTERS.

IF YOU REGISTER TO VOTE AND CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS I SWEAR UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT I'M A CITIZEN BUT YOU DON'T PROVIDE THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR PASSPORT, YOU CAN ONLY VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR GOVERNOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

2022, REPUBLICANS LOOKED AT U.S. SUPREME COURT AND SAID THIS LOOKS GOOD FOR OVERTURNING THINGS, THEY LIKE TAKING CARE OF THE PRECEDENTS WE DON'T CARE FOR, LET'S PASS A LAW THAT DIRECTLY CHALLENGES THE RULING SO THEY DID.

THAT LAW IS CHALLENGED IN COURT AND A FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS YOU CAN'T DO THAT, DOESN'T COMPORT WITH FEDERAL RULING, SENT IT BACK TO THE LOWER COURT, BLOCKED THE BIGGEST PROVISIONS IN THE LAW, AND INTERESTINGLY SENT THAT BACK TO TRIAL COURT AND SAID YOU SHOULD RETHINK THE FACT YOU SAID IT WAS DISCRIMINATORY BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF EVIDENCE IT WAS AND ANALYSIS WASN'T CORRECT OTHERS TRIAL COURT JUDGE.

>> SO BOTTOM LINE FOR NOW, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE WAY WE VOTE.

THE CONTESTED LEGISLATION IS AIMING TO TRY TO SAY, LOOK, IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEDERAL ONLY VOTERS, YOU CAN'T VOTE BY MAIL, YOU CANNOT USE THE MAIL SYSTEM, COME IN AND VOTE AND CANNOT VOTE FOR PRESIDENT, AND THOSE THINGS -- THOSE HAVE BEEN DISAVOWED BY THE COURTS THUS FAR BUT SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN WAS QUICK TO SAY, WE'RE TAKING THIS UP TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THE STATE IS THE MAIN DEFENDANT IN THE CASE.

>> I THINK THAT WAS A GIVEN IF HE WERE NOT TO SUCCEED AT THE NINTH CIRCUIT, ON WE GO.

>> THAT'S THE STRATEGY, GO UP AS FAR AS YOU CAN AND EXHAUST THINGS.

ONE THING WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT THE LEGISLATURE LOVES CHALLENGING THE ELECTIONS AND THE WAY WE PIECE A BILL.

JIM MENTIONED SOMETHING PASSED IN 2004, WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO EVERY SINGLE DETAIL OF EVERY SINGLE ELECTION WHICH IS HAPPENING NOW.

>> BUT THE SUPREME COURT, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A HECK OF A DOCKET WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON.

TED: YES, JIM, SOMETHING WITH DATABASES WAS BROUGHT UP.

WHAT WAS THAT?

>> YEAH, ANOTHER BILL THAT'S ALSO BEING CHALLENGED SAID THAT COUNTY RECORDERS, IF THEY HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE MAY NOT BE A CITIZEN, THEY HAVE TO CHECK THAT PERSON'S IDENTITY AGAINST SEVERAL DIFFERENT DATABASES AND THE COURTS HAVE OBJECTED TO USING THE SAVE DATABASE, WHICH I'M GOING TO FORGET WHAT THE ACRONYM STANDS FOR, TO FIND OUT IF SOMEONE IS ALIEN TO THE COUNTRY.

THE COURT SAID THAT IS NOT FAIR TREATMENT BECAUSE YOU'RE ONLY SCRUTINIZING PART OF THE POPULATION.

NOT EQUAL TREATMENT.

IF YOU WANT TO RUN SOMEBODY THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY OR DRIVER'S LICENSES, YOU CAN DO THAT, THEY DON'T HAVE ISSUE WITH THAT.

TED: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU CAN MAKE A COMPLICATED ISSUE THAT MUCH MORE COMPLICATED BY THROWING EVERYTHING AT THE COURT AND LENGTH THE COURT DECIDE AND GOT TO FIGURE IT OUT.

ALL RIGHT, DENNIS, JUSTIN HEAP AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THEY'RE NOT GETTING ALONG.

>> SURPRISE, SURPRISE, WE DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING.

YOU GOT REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED BOARD, FOUR REPUBLICANS, ONE DEMOCRAT ON THE BOARD, AND JUSTIN HEAP, WHO IS A SUPPORTER OF DONALD TRUMP, BIG MAGA CANDIDATE.

AND WHAT NOW HE IS UPSET ABOUT IN THREATENING TO SUE, HE WANTS MORE CONTROL, WANTS TO TAKE BACK CONTROL FROM THE BOARD OVER ELECTIONS.

WE'VE SEEN A BACK-AND-FORTH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, I THINK ADRIAN FONTES AT THE END OF HIS TENURE CEDED SOME OF THAT ON DAY OF OR ELECTION DAY, CEDED THAT AUTHORITY OVER TO THE BOARD, AND YOU KNOW, I THINK JUSTIN HEAP WANTS THAT POWER BACK, AND BEEN PRETTY MUCH STAYED THAT WAY THROUGH STEPHEN RICHER AND WHAT NOT.

HE WANTS THAT AUTHORITY BACK.

TED: AND I THINK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS GOTTEN MORE AGGRESSIVE LATELY, HAVEN'T THEY?

>> DENNIS IS RIGHT.

ADRIAN FONTES WAS RECORDER FOR TWO ELECTIONS.

FIRST ONE THERE WERE PROBLEMS AND THE REPUBLICAN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SAID THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT AND TOOK SOME OF THE POWER.

THEN IN 2024 IN LIKE OCTOBER, RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION, AFTER STEPHEN RICHER HAD LOST AND MOST OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WANTED TO SEE STEPHEN RICHER GET RE-ELECTED.

AFTER HE LOST, THEY REDID THE AGREEMENT AND TOOK MORE THINGS BACK UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE BOARD TRYING TO SECURE THE OFFICE AGAINST JUSTIN HEAP WINNING, AND NOW JUSTIN HEAP IS UPSET ABOUT THAT.

THE PROBLEM HE'S GOING TO HAVE IS THAT STATE SLAW CLEAR THAT IT GIVES POWER TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

IN MOST CASES AND MOST OF ARIZONA'S HISTORY, THE BOARDS HAVE TURNED THAT OVER TO THE RECORDERS, BUT THE LAW DOES NOT SAY THAT THE RECORDERS IN CHARGE OF THIS, THE LAW IS IN CHARGE OF IT AND CAN HANDLE IT THE WAY THEY WANT TO, THEY DECIDED HOW TO DELINEATE THE RESPONSIBILITY.

TED: ARE THEY GOING TO CHANGE THE DECLINATION OR REYARD HIM WITH ANYTHING?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING ON THIS TO WORK AROUND THIS.

HEAP IS THREATENING A LAWSUIT.

YOU UNDERSTAND WHY.

THEY WERE HEAP-PROOFING THE RECORDER'S OFFICE WHEN THEY KNEW HE WAS LIKELY TO WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> THE CONTEXT, THIS WAS THE PRIOR BOARD THAT WENT THROUGH THE FIGHTS WITH THE UNPROVEN CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD AND WHAT NOT, AND I DON'T THINK THEY WERE HAPPY TO SEE A MAGA CANDIDATE SUCH AS HEAP TO WIN AND DEFEAT RICHER IN THE PRIMARY AND GO ONTO WIN AND, IN FACT, JUSTIN HEAP, IN HIS PRESS RELEASE, SAID THIS WAS A LAME DUCK BOARD PASSING THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE THEY WERE UPSET THAT THE RECORDER STEPHEN RICHER WAS OUTGOING.

>> GOOD POINT.

THERE WERE THREE MEMBERS ON THE FIVE MEMBER BOARD.

DO THEY PROTECT THE AUTHORITY THE LAW GIVES TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OR DIVIDE ALONG PARTY LINES.

FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN DEBBIE LESKO, WHO HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE TRUMP AGENDA, SHE'S ON THE BOARD NOW.

WHERE IS SHE AT?

IS SHE WITH HEAP?

IS SHE WITH THE SUPERVISORS?

TED: BEFORE WE GO, BILLS ON THE MOVE.

A LOT OF THEM GOING ON HERE.

DENNIS, THIS IS THE ONE THAT PIQUES EVERYONE'S INTEREST, DIAMONDBACKS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO CHASE FIELD.

THIS IS LIKE ONE OF THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS, TAXING DISTRICTS, CORRECT?

>> AN OLD MUSEUM-THEMED DISTRICT PARK THEY'RE USING.

THE WHOLE ISSUE REVOLVES AROUND WHO'S GOING TO PAY AND HOW TO PAY FOR THE UPGRADES OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE 30-YEAR-OLD STADIUM.

DIAMONDBACKS SAY IT COSTS ABOUT HALF A BILLION DOLLARS TO GET THIS KIND OF STUFF DONE, SO THERE'S THE BILL AT THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD BE A RECAPTURE OF THE TAX, INSTEAD OF THE INCOME TAX, THEY COULD RECAPTURE INCOME TAX FROM PLAYERS AND STAFF AND SALES TAX ON THE PROPERTY, THAT COULD GO AND BE USED AND TO FUND THESE UPGRADES AND WHAT NOT, AND THERE IS SOME CONCERN TONIGHT WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SAYING LOOK, YOU'RE ROCK US OF TAXPAYER MONEY WE NEED FOR POPULAR AND ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS LIKE POLICE AND FIRE.

TED: THAT'S WHERE THE MOINLD GO.

AN INTERESTING STUDY, TALK TO US ABOUT THE STUDY.

>> THEY'RE ESTIMATING TAX REVENUE HOW MUCH IT WOULD RAISE THROUGH TAXES BY LOOKING AT WHAT THEY SAY IS AVERAGE FAN WOULD SPEND PER GAME, AND ACCORDING TO THEM THE AVERAGE FAN WOULD SPEND $60 PER GAME.

TED: I'M SORRY, WHAT AGAIN?

>> $60 A GAME, THAT INCLUDES PRICE OF THE TICKET AND THEY CLAIM THE AVERAGE BEER COSTS $5 AND THE AVERAGE HOT DOG COSTS $3.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE $5 BEERS ARE.

TED: I THINK I SPEND 60 BUCKS AT HOME WATCHING IT.

WELCOME BACK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AS WELL.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.