♪ COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

TED: IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING A PREVIEW OF MONDAY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

.

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 TONIGHT, CAMRYN SANCHEZ OF KJZZ RADIO.

MARY JO PITZL OF "ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM AND JIM SMALL OF THE "ARIZONA MIRROR."

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CAMRYN, THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW SHOW HERE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE EXPECT, WHAT WE THINK'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK -- GIVE US AN OVERVIEW, A 30,000 FOOT VIEW?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN YEAR IN TERMS OF KATIE HOBBS HAVING TO DEAL WITH MORE REPUBLICANS THAN LAST TIME, WHICH I'M SURE SHE DOESN'T APPRECIATE OR LOOK FORWARD TO.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE NEEDS TO BE JUST AS MUCH BIPARTISAN COOPERATION IF NOT MORE EFFORT TO GET A BUDGET OUT.

WE'VE HEARD THE RUMOR OF WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT EARLY THIS YEAR, WHICH I'M ALWAYS SUSPICIOUS OF, AND THE ISSUES ARE THINGS LIKE EDUCATION, WATER, MAYBE HOUSING AGAIN, AND I'M VERY INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BORDER, NOW THAT THERE'S SUCH A CHANGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND TRUMP MADE THAT SUCH A PRIORITY.

TED: MARY JO, MORE OR LESS PARTISANSHIP OR THE SAME OLD SAME OLD?

>> LET'S SEE, I THINK WE STARTED THE 2026 ELECTION CYCLE, HAVEN'T WE?

I DON'T EXPECT IT TO BE LESS -- MORE PARTISANSHIP.

THEY ALL TALK ABOUT IT.

THERE WAS A LUNCHEON THIS AFTERNOON HOSTED BY THE ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THEY ALL, IT'S AN ANNUAL RITUAL, THEY PLEDGE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ROSY AND THEY'LL WORK TOGETHER.

IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

GOVERNOR HOBBS, SOME OF HER OBJECTIVES DIRECTLY CLASH WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE HER ANY WINS THAT SHE CAN CLAIM AS SHE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION.

I WOULD ERR ON THE SIDE OF LESS PARTISANSHIP.

TED: GREATER MAJORITY IN THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THIS GO-AROUND?

>> REPUBLICANS ARE EMBOLDENED, THEY HAVE THE SLIM MAJORITY LAST FOUR YEARS, THEY MANAGED TO HOLD TOGETHER ON MOST ISSUES, ESPECIALLY WITH A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, BUT I THINK THAT THEY FEEL THAT THE WIND IS AT THEIR BACKS AND THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE A PUSH, AND YOU KNOW, FOR A LOT OF THE POLICY POSITIONS AND TO MARY JO'S POINT, WE ARE THE 2026 CYCLE.

THE LAST TWO YEARS WERE, WE SAW A LOT OF DEMOCRATS AIMING TO TAKE OVER THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND REPUBLICANS HAVE SIGHTS SET ON KATIE HOBBS AND ON DETHRONING HER AS GOVERNOR, AND SETTING THE STAGE FOR THAT.

THAT'S REALLY ULTIMATELY THE THING THAT DRIVES A LOT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT HAPPEN IN THE LEGISLATURE POLICYWISE, POLITICSWISE, HOW CAN REPUBLICANS PUT KATIE HOBBS IN A BAD PLACE AND TRY TO DAMAGE HER AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AND WHATEVER WAYS THEY CAN THAT WAY SHE IS NOT GOVERNOR IN 2027.

TED: DO YOU AGREE, CAMRYN?

>> STRONGLY AGREE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF STATE AND GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR WHICH IS A CHALLENGE FOR HOBBS.

OBVIOUSLY THEY'LL DO THINGS AT THE STATE CAPITOL AIMED AT GETTING TO HER IN TERMS OF CAMPAIGN.

>> I WOULD EXPECT BIPARTISANSHIP ON THE BUDGET AS WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE YOU SORT OF HAVE TO, YOU GOT TO GET A BUDGET DONE.

TED: REAL QUICKLY ON THE BUDGET, IS THERE A SURPLUS COMING AROUND IN 2026?

>> MODEST.

LATEST ESTIMATE IS MAYBE 250 TO $500 MILLION.

NOT A LOT OF MONEY WHEN TALKING ABOUT A 17 TO $18 BILLION BUDGET.

TED: DOES THE PARTISANSHIP THAT YOU EXPECT TO SEE THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN AND THROUGHOUT THE SESSION, THE BUDGET TALKS, WILL THAT MODIFY THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> NO, NO, NO.

OF COURSE NOT.

WE HAVE A SPLIT GOVERNMENT.

THE PARTISANSHIP IS BAKED INTO IT.

THAT'S PART OF IT, AND I THINK BOTH SIDES -- CERTAINLY THE REPUBLICANS AT THE LEGISLATURE DIG THEIR HEELS IN HARDER THAN THEY HAVE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CALCULATE THAT KATIE HOBBS MOVES TO THEM.

SHE'S THE DEMOCRAT IN A STATE THAT JUST VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP.

SHE'S THE DEMOCRAT WHO NEEDS TO KIND OF COME MEET THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT AND TRY TO ESSENTIALLY MODERATE HERSELF AND HER STANCES, AND FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, THEY'VE GOTTEN BIG WINS FRANKLY ESPECIALLY ON THE BUDGET SIDE OF THINGS, TO DO THAT.

THEY'VE REALLY, THEY PULLED HER TO THEM CERTAINLY IN THE FIRST YEAR.

I THINK ESPECIALLY THE FIRST BUDGET IN 23, DEMOCRATS AND THE LEGISLATURE WERE OUTRAGED TO SEE WHAT GOT AGREED TO BY THE GOVERNOR, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CALCULATION GOING FORWARD INTO THIS YEAR AND INTO THE ELECTION AREA.

TED: THAT FORMULA MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> YEAH, IT DOES.

THE FIRST YEAR BUDGET, THAT'S WHEN THEY HAD THE BIG, FAT SURPLUS AND SPENT IT ALL, THEY GAVE IT AWAY, AND GAVE SOME OF IT BACK TO TAXPAYERS AND TAX REBATES, POURED MONEY INTO ROAD PROJECT WHICH WILL TAKE YEARS AND YEARS TO MATERIALIZE.

TED: CAMRYN, TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES IN PARTICULAR, EDUCATION, PROP 123, LOOKS FROM HERE THAT COULD BE A BIGGIE, IS IT GOING TO BE A BIGGIE?

>> I THINK SO.

THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED FIGHTING ABOUT IT.

BASICALLY WE KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS BOTH WANT TO DO TEACHER RAISES, AND IT'S NICE THAT EVERYONE AGREES ON THAT, BUT, OF COURSE, THERE'S MUCH MORE TO IT.

HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO PAY?

WHO'S GOING TO GET THE MONEY?

IS THE MONEY JUST GOING TO GO TO TEACHER SALARIES OR OTHER STUFF AS WELL?

I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE MORE IN FAVOR, BASED ON THE MOST RECENT DISCUSSIONS, OF PRETTY MUCH FOCUSING JUST ON THE TEACHER SALARY INCREASES AND USING A LOT OF THE TRUST MONEYS WHERE THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO USE A DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF THE MONEY AND USE IT FOR MORE STUFF.

>> YOU HAVE THE SCHOOL CHOICE LOBBY TALKING TO LAWMAKERS SAYING WE WANT VOUCHERS PROTECTED IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

THEY'VE SEEN THE FORAYS THAT HOBBS AND THE DEMOCRATS TRIED TO MAKE ON PUTTING GUARDRAILS ON THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.

YOU KNOW, IN SOME DISTANT FUTURE, IF YOU HAVE A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE, SENATE AND GOVERNOR, THEY FEAR THAT THE VOUCHER PROGRAM WILL VAPORIZE.

YOU PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE THE CONTINUATION OR THE RENEWAL OF PROP 123 REQUIRES THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

YOU ADD THIS ONE INTO IT AND YOU'VE PROTECTED THEM.

TED: INTERESTING, YOU PUT THAT IN WITH 123?

>> IT'S IN THE MIX NOW THE WAY IT WASN'T LAST YEAR.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEND THIS TO THE BALLOT WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S INVOLVEMENT.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAD DIFFERENT PLANS FOR HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING THIS.

THEY COULD NEVER GET ON THE SAME PAGE AND STALLED BY SPRINGTIME.

I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS REPUBLICANS NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CAN AGREE TO AND IF THEY CHOOSE TO ENGAGE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THEY WILL.

OTHERWISE, THEY SEND THIS STRAIGHT TO THE BALLOT.

>> BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, THIS YEAR, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE ELECTION THIS YEAR, WHICH IS NOT A CERTAINTY, THE CURRENT PROP 123 EXPIRES ON JUNE 30, YOU NEED A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A SPECIAL SESSION.

YOU NEED TO HAVE -- >> A SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> TO CREATE A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND THAT'S WHERE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A WEDGE ISSUE THERE.

TED: DO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ANY KIND OF ADVANTAGE OR ANY THOUGHT HERE REGARDING THE GOVERNOR WANTING TO TAKE MORE MONEY OUT OF THE STATE LAND TRUST.

SHE WANTED TO TAKE 8.9%.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I HEARD MIXED REVIEWS AND THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, SLOW YOUR ROLL, WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY TO PLAY WITH.

MUCH LIKE THE BUDGET, IT'S NOT A CORNUCOPIA WHERE EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE EVERYTHING, IT'S BEGGING FOR CRUMBS.

TED: SHE SAYS DON'T TAKE ANY MORE OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING IT WORSE.

>> IT'S GOOD SHE'S SAYING THAT BECAUSE SHE'S IN CHARGE OF THE MONEY AND CONSERVATIVE ABOUT SPENDING IT.

THERE'S A RESPONSE OF SHE'S BEING A LITTLE TOO CAREFUL AND WE CAN TAKE MORE THAN THAT, NOT GOING TO CRASH THE SYSTEM.

TED: AT ONE POINT, THIS WAS CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL TAKING THE MONEY OUT OF THE STATE LAND TRUST.

WHERE DID THAT GO?

>> INCREDIBLE, IT WAS AMONG THE FEARS THE THINGS YOU'RE HEARING KIMBERLY YEE SAY NOW, THE STATE TREASURER, THIS RISKS THE LAND TRUST AND THE FUTURE OF IT, THIS IS DESIGNED TO SUSTAIN PROMISE.

SCHOOLS PRIMARILY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO IT, AND IF WE TAKE TOO MUCH OUT NOW, ARE YOU BORROWING FROM THE FUTURE TO PAY FOR STUFF RIGHT NOW, AND THE ECONOMY MADE IT SO OVER THE LAST DECADE, THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE AND SOME OF THE FEARS PROVE TO BE UNFOUNDED BUT WORTH NOTING THAT TEN YEARS AGO, THIS WAS DESIGNED TO BE TEMPORARY.

STEINED TO BRIDGE A GAP TO GET THE LEGISLATURE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKING ON THE WHOLE TIME BECAUSE IT STEMS FROM VOTER APPROVAL OF PROP 301, WHICH WAS INFLATION AND INCREASED AID FOR SCHOOLS THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR OUT OF THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND.

WE ABDICATED IT, THE RESULT WAS SETTLE PROP 123 AND WE'RE HAVING THE EXACT CONVERSATION.

TED: IS 123 A DIFFERENT BEAST THAN IT ONCE WAS?

>> AT ITS CORE, NO.

THE INTENT IS TO TAKE MONEY FROM THE LAND TRUST AND MAKE AN INFUSION INTO THE K-12 SYSTEM.

THE DEBATE IS OVER WHO BENEFITS?

WILL IT BE JUST THE TEACHERS?

VERY CLEAR THAT'S THE REPUBLICAN ASK OR SPREAD IT OUT TO OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL, THE BUS DRIVERS, JANITORS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES.

DO YOU EXTEND IT TO PROTECTING VOUCHERS, NOT A MONEY THING BUT THROW THAT INTO THE BILL.

THERE'S A LOT THEY HAVE TO WEIGH, AND AS MUCH AS THERE MIGHT BE CERTAIN CONSTITUENCIES THAT WANT CERTAIN THINGS AS SENATOR MESNARD MENTIONED THIS WEEK, THEY GOT TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THEY THINK THE PUBLIC WILL SUPPORT BECAUSE IF IT'S A SPECIAL ELECTION THIS YEAR, AS A CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE, THE COST OF THAT IS ALL ON THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THEY'RE ALREADY TIGHT ON MONEY, AND IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO AN ELECTION, YOU BETTER WIN IT SO YOU'RE NOT FLUSHING THAT MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN.

>> WHEN THIS PASSED THE FIRST TIME, REMEMBER, IT BARELY PASSED.

>> SO CONTROVERSIAL.

>> THAT WAS WITH THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE POPULAR GOVERNOR TALKING WITH REPUBLICANS TRYING TO GET ON BOARD WITH IT AND BARELY SCRAPED BY.

THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IS MUCH WORSE THAN IT WAS A DECADE AGO.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE BACKUP PLANS SHOULD IT BE ON THE BALLOT AND FAILED, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD ONE TO GO TO VOTERS TO SAY WE WANT TO YOU DO THIS.

TED: CAMRYN, AGENCY HEAD CONFIRMATIONS.

IS ANYTHING GOING TO CHANGE THIS GO-AROUND OR AGENCY HEAD CONFIRMATIONS DEUX?

>> TALKING ABOUT THE DINO COMMITTEE LED BY SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN, A NONFAN OF KATIE HOBBS, TO SAY IT DELICATELY?

>> CAN I INTERJECT?

>> YEAH.

>> CAMRYN HAS DINOSAUR EARRINGS SHE WEARS IN HONOR OF THE HEARINGS.

>> I DO.

AND BASICALLY, HE GETS TO VET HER NOMINEES WHICH IS THRILLING FOR THE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THEY DON'T TYPICALLY HAVE THE SAME THOUGHTS AS SHE DOES WHEN IT COMES TO PICKING THE BEST PERSON TO LEAD THE AGENCY.

SHE PULLED NOMINEES AND TRIED TO SKIRT THE SENATE CONFIRMATION PROCESS BY GIVING THEM TITLES, BUT THE COURT SAID NO, THAT IS NOT WHAT THE LAW WANTS TO DO.

YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND GET THEM CONFIRMED FOR REAL THIS TIME.

SO THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED AND WE GET ON GO BACK TO WHAT THE DINO COMMITTEE ORIGINALLY WAS, I DON'T WANT TO SAY CIRCUS BUT KIND OF A CIRCUS, AND DEFINITELY, I THINK HOBBS IS GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT'S REALISTIC IN TERMS OF WHO SHE CAN GET THROUGH.

TED: WHAT HAPPENS, IF YOU KEEP SENDING FOLKS UP THERE, AND THE COMMITTEE SAYS NOPE, NOPE.

WHAT POINT IS THIS IN PERPETUITY.

>> THE END OF THE HOBBS TERM.

TED: THEY COULD KEEP IT ROLLING?

>> IT'S A COMMITTEE THAT MAKES A RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL SENATE.

I SUPPOSE THE SENATE COULD SEE OTHERWISE AND DISAGREE.

THAT'S HARD TO BELIEVE.

YEAH, YOU CAN KEEP -- SO IN THE MEANTIME, NOT LIKE THE AGENCIES DON'T OPERATE.

WE'RE STILL COLLECTING TAXES, ADMINISTERING THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, WE HAVE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, BUT THERE'S NO REAL STABILITY.

WHO'S IN CHARGE.

TED: IF YOU'RE THE GOVERNOR AND YOU CAN'T GET THE PEOPLE YOU WANT IN THERE AND KEEP SAYING NO, NO, NO, DO YOU SLOW ROLL AND KEEP THINGS GOING AS THEY ARE?

IT SEEMS -- >> PROBABLY.

I GUESS, YEAH, THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT IT IS.

THE WHOLE GOAL OF THIS COMMITTEE IS TO FRUSTRATE KATIE HOBBS' ADMINISTRATION, AND TO MAKE IT SO SHE CANNOT IMPLEMENT HER ADMINISTRATION WITH HER CABINET MEMBERS TO ADVANCE HER POLICIES.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, AND IT'S WORKED REALLY WELL FOR REPUBLICANS SO FAR.

IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT KATIE HOBBS DID WHAT CAMRYN SAID AND TRIED TO EVADE THE LAW AND HAVE THE COURT COME IN AND TELL HER NO.

SO IN TERMS OF THE PATH FORWARD, THE PROBLEM BECOMES, YOU KNOW, RECRUITING PEOPLE TO BECOME THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB IS DIFFICULT.

TO GET PEOPLE TO COME FROM OUT OF STATE.

WE SAW WHERE FOLKS HAVE MOVED FROM OTHER STATES.

HIRED PEOPLE AWAY TO COME TO ARIZONA, AND THEN NOW THEY'RE LEFT WITH ONE YEAR ON THE JOB, AT MOST, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET PAST THE COMMITTEE IT.

BECOMES A CHALLENGE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THE HOBBS ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO GO ABOUT IT THIS TIME BUT CERTAINLY HAVEN'T YET FOUND THE SECRET OR THE KEY TO GETTING THEIR AGENCY HEADS IN PLACE.

TED: THE EXPERT ON THE DINO COMMITTEE AS YOU ARE WITH THE EARRINGS AND EVERYTHING, WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY JUST KEEP SAYING NO?

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE ROOF IS NOT GOING TO FALL DOWN ON TOP OF US.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DID GET THROUGH.

THE WHEELS WILL STILL TURN.

THERE WILL STILL BE SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY AND NOT TOTAL CHAOS, BUT I THINK HOBBS MIGHT HAVE TO SEE THIS PICTURE AND SAY, OKAY, THIS PERSON, WHO I LIKE, IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET THROUGH DINO.

MAYBE THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE THE HEAD OF THE WHATEVER.

THEY HAVE TO BE SOMETHING ELSE.

TYPICALLY THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS THAT GET PEOPLE THROWN OUT.

LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE GUY, THEY HAD NOTHING ON HIM, BUT THINGS LIKE WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON ABORTION?

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON TRANSGENDERRISM?

IT'S MORE LIKE DO YOU ALIGN WITH OUR IDEOLOGY.

>> THE LONGER-TERM CONSEQUENCE IS WILL FUTURE SENATES IN DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, ARE WE REMAKING THE WHOLE PROCESS FOR CONFIRMING AGENCY DIRECTORS?

FOR DECADES IT WAS AGREED THAT THE GOVERNOR, JUST AS THE PRESIDENT, SHOULD GET FAIRLY WIDE LATITUDE IN BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE PEOPLE THEY WANT RUNNING AGENCIES, AND THAT FOR THE MOST PART HAS NOT WORKED OUT IN ARIZONA, AND THIS COULD BE CHANGE THE MOLD.

TED: AND THE DINO COMMITTEE CHANGED THE MOLD AS IT IS, DID IT NOT?

JIM, WATER, LEGISLATURE, IS GAIL GRIFFIN THE MATRIARCH OF WATER BILLS?

IS THIS STILL GOING ON, AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AS FAR AS MOVING FORWARD?

>> IT CERTAINLY PRESENTS A CHALLENGE FOR THE HOBBS ADMINISTRATION TO GET HER WATER POLICY IDEAS THROUGH.

I THINK THAT'S THE PROBLEM THE LOGGERHEADS THAT EVERYONE HAS HAD THE PAST COUPLE YEARS IS GAIL GRIFFIN IS THE LEADER ON THE WATER ISSUE FOR THE REPUBLICANS, AND THEY TEND TO FALL IN LINE BEHIND HER AND BEHIND HER IDEAS AND THE THINGS SHE'S WORKING ON, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS DIFFERENT IDEAS HOW TO GO ABOUT GROUND WATER AND COLORADO RIVER WATER, SO WE'RE AT AN IMPASSE.

IT'S GOOD THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS FOCUSED ON WATER.

IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS DOWN AT THE CAPITOL AND I'VE HEARD OFF AND ON, THIS IS THE YEAR WE DO SOMETHING ON GROUND WATER, THIS IS THE YEAR WE DO SOMETHING ON IRRIGATION, COLORADO RIVER WATER AND THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

NOW UNFORTUNATELY IT'S BECOMING A CRISIS.

WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LONG-TERM DROUGHT WITH THE COLORADO RIVER SHORTAGE, WITH ALL OF IT.

BRINGING THINGS TO A HEAD.

ONE WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD, ALL OF THAT WOULD SPUR COMPROMISE AND SOME KIND OF WAY TO GET ALONG HERE, BUT THE OLD ADAGE IS WHISKY'S FOR DRINKING AND WATER IS FOR FIGHTING IN ARIZONA, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

TED: WE GOT THE COMPACT, 2026.

C.A.P., COLORADO WATER IMPACT.

AS FAR AS RURAL GROUND WATER ISSUES ARE CONCERNED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS INVOLVED IN THIS NOW AS FAR AS SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA.

WHAT IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO DO?

>> I WOULD SAY THE COLORADO RIVER NEGOTIATIONS ARE LARGELY A FEDERAL THING.

I'M GOING TO PUT THAT OVER HERE RIGHT NOW.

AND GROUND WATER IS WHAT THE FIGHTING IS ABOUT AT THE LEG PRESUMABLY FOR THE NEXT SESSION.

I THINK IT'S NOT TO EDITORIALIZING OF ME TO SAY THAT IT RUFFLED THE FEATHERS OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, I'M MAD AT AND YOU I'M GOING TO DO WHAT YOU'RE NOT DOING TO PROTECT THE GROUND WATER MYSELF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN UPROAR AND PRESUMABLY THERE'S MORE LAWSUITS TO COME, NOT TO MENTION THE ONE MAYES SIGNED AGAINST FONDOMONTE.

>> THE POLICY SHE IS PROMOTING IS NOT WHAT THE MAJORITY PARTY WANTS TO SEE.

ANOTHER BIG ISSUE, BECAUSE IT DOES DEAL WITH GROUND WATER IS, SENATOR SHOPE IS CHAIRING THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE, AND THEY'RE FOCUSED ON THIS CONVERSION OF AG LAND TO RESIDENTIAL, WHICH WILL USE LESS WATER BECAUSE THE CROPS WE GROW HERE ARE WATER INTENSIVE, BUT THERE'S JUST CONCERNS THAT HOW DO YOU GUARANTEE WE WILL NOT SPEND, PULL OUT MORE WATER THAN WE CAN.

WHAT KIND OF HOUSING ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

WOULD THEY CONSIDER PUTTING RESTRICTIONS ON -- THESE MUST BE DEVELOPMENTS THAT CAN'T HAVE LAWNS, THAT AREN'T GOING TO HAVE SWIMMING POOLS THAT DO DESERT ADAPTIVE PLANTS, LORD KNOWS, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE DEBATE GOES.

TED: JIM, ELECTIONS, LEGISLATURE, SPEEDING UP RESULTS.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE, HUH?

>> YEAH, WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF BILLS ALREADY, AND SOME IN THE PAST, BUT THE IDEA IS HOW DO WE GET ELECTION RESULTS FASTER?

THE GOAL FOR A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS, HOW DO WE TURN ARIZONA'S ELECTION RESULTS INTO FLORIDA'S ELECTION RESULTS.

FLORIDA IS A SIMILARLY SIZED STATE, THEY COMPARE MIAMI AND PHOENIX ABOUT HOW THE VOTES COME IN, IN MIAMI COUNTY VERSUS MARICOPA COUNTY AND THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE IS THEY HAVE DIFFERENT RULES WHEN EARLY BALLOTS CAN BE RETURNED, AND ARIZONA LET'S EARLY BALLOTS BE RETURNED UP UNTIL ELECTION DAY, AND YOU CAN DROP THEM OFF AT A POLLING PLACE, AND THEY COUNTED AS IF YOU MAILED IT TWO WEEKS EARLY.

FLORIDA FORCES PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T TURN IN EARLY BALLOT TO VOTE IN PERSON.

THAT SPEEDS THINGS UP, YOU ARE NOT VERIFYING THE SIGNATURE, YOU GIVE PEOPLE TIME TO GET THE BALLOTS COUNTED.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE SHIP THAT WE'VE BEEN ON FOR A LONG TIME FOR 30 YEARS HOW PEOPLE VOTE AND WHEN THEY'RE ALLOWED TO DROP BALLOTS OFF AND WHAT CHANGES YOU MAKE AND WHAT EFFECT DOES THAT HAVE ON THE ELECTORATE?

TED: CAMRYN, SOUNDS LIKE 7:00 FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY SEEMS TO BE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WANTS.

>> SOME OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THE DEMOCRATS AND KATIE HOBBS, TO A DEGREE ARE SAYING WE DON'T KNOW THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE WE HAVE FAIR, ACCURATE, WELL-RUN ELECTIONS, IF THEY'RE SLOW, THEY'RE SLOW, BUT AT LEAST WE'RE DOING THINGS RIGHT, AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE MORE OF THE SCHOOL WE CAN HAVE GREAT ELECTIONS AND ACCURATE RESULTS AND NOT BE THE LAST ONES TO TURN THE RESULTS IN AND BE THE LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WHICH I THINK IS HARSH, BUT UNDERSTAND THE POINT.

THERE ARE A FEW PROPOSALS HOW TO GET FASTER RESULTS.

ONE IS FROM SENATOR MESNARD, YOU CAN COME ON ELECTION DAY WITH THE BALLOT BUT HAVE TO SHOW ID SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION PROCESS, WHICH TAKES FOREVER.

I'M NOT SURE THAT WILL FLY.

THERE IS ANOTHER PLAN FROM SENATOR WARREN PETERSEN LIKE FLORIDA DO, THIS ALL FLORIDA STYLE AND CHANGE THE GUIDELINES, WHICH I THINK DEMOCRATS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH.

TED: WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR GOING DO ABOUT THIS?

>> SHE SAID SHE DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT MAKES VOTING LESS CONVENIENT FOR VOTERS.

IT IS CONVENIENT TO HAVE YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT, VOTE IT AND PUT IT IN THE ENVELOPE AND DOP IT OFF AT THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAND IN LINE, IF YOU FORGOT PUT IT IN THE MAILBOX, YOU HAVE THE LAST MINUTE THING YOU CAN DO.

IT'S VERY, VERY CONVENIENT AND A POPULAR WAY OF VOTING.

SO THAT IS WEIGHING ON HER, ALSO WITH SECRETARY FONTES IN THE SAME MIND-SET.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT LESS CONVENIENT FOR VOTERS.

SO THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, AND I DO THINK GIVEN THE REACTION THAT WE'VE HAD AFTER THIS ELECTION, AFTER 22, AFTER 20, THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A DRIVE TO GET THIS FIXED.

TED: LET'S SAY SHE GETS THE BILL 7:00 P.M. FRIDAY BEFORE THE TUESDAY ELECTION, SHE GETS THAT ON HER DESK.

SHE GOING TO SIGN THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW, THE COMMENTS FROM HER OFFICE SEEM TO INDICATE NOT.

THE IDEA THAT IF YOU'RE TAKING AWAY AVENUES FOR VOTERS TO VOTE AND MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT AND PUTTING BARRIER IN FRONT OF VOTERS TO CAST A BALLOT.

IF THAT'S A NONSTARTER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD GET VETOED.

TED: REAL QUICKLY, AS FAR AS THE BORDER IS CONCERNED, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SEE FROM THE LEGISLATURE ON BORDER ISSUES AND THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE?

>> I THINK THEY'RE ABLE TO RELAX THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS, BECAUSE WITH TRUMP AT THE HELM, THEY'RE GOING TO SEE HOPEFULLY IN THEIR EYES, VERY DIFFERENT ENFORCEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, MEANING MORE ENFORCEMENT, MORE OF AN EFFORT TO DEPORT PEOPLE, BUILD A WALL, GO AFTER DACA, ET CETERA.

THE YEAR BEFORE, WE HAD 314, THAT WAS THE BIG FOCUS FOR THEM.

NOW THEY CAN SORT OF SIT BACK, RELAX AND GET BEHIND WHATEVER IT IS TRUMP'S GOING TO DO.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> DEPENDING ON IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STICKS TO HIS PROMISES, THAT WILL TAKE A LOT OF THE STRAIN OFF OF ARIZONA.

HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL THIS ISSUE THAT OUR BORDER SHERIFFS HAVE BEEN SAYING, LOOK, WE NEED MONEY TO DO THE JOB YOU WANT US TO DO, AND IF THE FEDS PICK THIS UP, THEY'RE GOING TO BE RELYING ON US.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE FEDS ARE GIVING THE STATE MONEY, THEY WOULD 100 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS, THE LEGISLATURE SAID WE AIN'T GOT IT.

THERE IS INCLINATION TO GET SOME MONEY DIRECTED THEIR WAY.

>> THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM ON PROP 314.

OF THAT $100 MILLION, THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT THAT ANYTHING THAT GOES TO THE BALLOT THAT CAUSES THE STATE TO SPEND MONEY HAS TO HAVE A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE.

IT HAS TO.

REPUBLICANS PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT 20 YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE UPSET ABOUT CITIZEN INITIATIVES THAT TOLD THE LEGISLATURE OPEN UP YOUR WALLET AND SPEND MONEY.

SO THAT'S STILL IN OUR CONSTITUTION.

THIS THING THAT THE VOTERS APPROVED HAD NO MONEY IN IT, NO DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE, NO APPROPRIATION WHATSOEVER.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE LITIGATION.

>> SOMEONE WILL SUE.

>> AS SOON AS MONEY IS SPENT, THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT AND THIS HAS TO GO TO THE COURT AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS TO WEIGH IN.

TED: WE SHOULD MENTION, WE'LL HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR MONDAY'S "ARIZONA HORIZON" WITH POLITICAL ANALYSIS AFTER THE ADDRESS.

GOOD DISCUSSION, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

AND THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.