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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," THE IMPACT OF NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION REQUIRING PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, TEACHING DEMOCRACY THROUGH BUDGETING DECISIONS.

>>> AND ARIZONA'S RESTAURANT WEEK IS FAST APPROACHING.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TODAY HELD AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING WITH NEWLY ELECTED CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY.

THE FIRST MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO SINCE CARNEY WON THE NATIONAL ELECTION ON A CLEAR ANTI-TRUMP PLATFORM, FOCUSED IN GREAT PART ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REPEATED REFERENCES TO MAKING CANADA THE 51st STATE, A REFERENCE THAT THE PRESIDENT MADE AGAIN TODAY -- >> I STILL BELIEVE THAT.

BUT TAKES TWO TO TANGO, RIGHT?

BUT NO, I DO.

I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE TAX CUT FOR THE CANADIAN CITIZENS.

FREE MILITARY, TREMENDOUS MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER THINGS.

THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF ADVANTAGES, BUT IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE TAX CUT, AND IT'S ALSO A BEAUTIFUL -- YOU KNOW, AS A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, YOU KNOW I'M A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER?

SOMEBODY DREW THE LINE WITH A RULER, A STRAIGHT LINE ACROSS THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT BEAUTIFUL FORMATION WHEN IT'S TOGETHER, I'M A VERY ARTISTIC PERSON, BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT, THAT I SAID IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

TED: ALL OF WHICH FAILED TO MOVE THE CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER.

>> IF I MAY.

AS YOU KNOW FROM REAL ESTATE, THERE ARE SOME PLACES THAT ARE NEVER FOR SALE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> WE'RE SITTING IN ONE RIGHT NOW.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, YOU VISITED AS WELL.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> HAVING MET WITH THE OWNERS OF CANADA OVER THE COURSE OF THE CAMPAIGN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, IT'S NOT FOR SALE, WON'T BE FOR SALE EVER.

TED: PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RESPONSE TO THE PRIME MINISTER WAS, QUOTE, NEVER SAY NEVER.

>>> U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CAN START ENFORCING A BAN ON TRANSGENDER TROOPS SERVING IN THE MILITARY.

THAT BAN HAD BEEN PUT ON HOLD IN LOWER COURTS, EMERGENCY APPLICATION, IT NOW REMAINS IN PLACE WHILE LEGAL CHALLENGES CONTINUE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THE FIRST DAY OF HIS TERM, REVOKED FORMER EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THAT ALLOWED SERVICEMEMBERS TO SERVE OPENLY.

>>> REAL ID STARTS, FOR REAL, TOMORROW.

THE ADVANCED FORM OF IDENTIFICATION IS NEEDED FOR AIR TRAVEL IN THE U.S. TSA'S LEADER OF SECURITY OPERATIONS WITH THE HEADS-UP.

>> I JUST WANT PASSENGERS TO BE APPEAR THAT FULL IMPLEMENTATION IS TAKING PLACE TOMORROW.

GIVE THEMSELVES PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ABLE TO CHECK IN WITH THE AIRLINES, AND ALSO WE'LL HAVE STAFF IN FRONT OF ALL OUR CHECKPOINTS TO HELP AND DIRECT OUR CUSTOMERS AS THEY TRANSIT THROUGH THE SECURITY PROCESS.

TED: AS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO FLY SOMEWHERE BUT DON'T HAVE THEIR REAL ID'S?

>> WE'RE GOING TO PROCESS YOU.

IT MIGHT TAKE ADDITIONAL TIME, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO IT EFFICIENTLY.

WE ARE FULLY STAFFED AT ALL LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY WAIT TIMES OR DELAYS.

AS FAR AS YOU GOING THROUGH THE SECURITY PROCESS, WE WILL PROCESS YOU AND NOT BE TURNED AWAY.

>> THE REAL ID ACT WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS IN 2005 BUT DEADLINE FOR ENFORCEMENT HAD BEEN REPEATEDLY PUSHED BACK.

>>> FEDERAL LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE SAVE ACT IS RAISING CONCERNS FOR HOW THE LAW'S PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS WOULD IMPACT VOTING ELIGIBILITY FOR NUMBER OF GROUPS, INCLUDING MARRIED WOMEN.

WE WELCOME JENNY GUZMAN WITH COMMON CAUSE ARIZONA.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

TED: DEFINE THE SAVE ACT, WHAT DOES IT CALL FOR?

>> IT IS FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HURT ALL AMERICANS.

IT REQUIRES PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

IF YOU ARE UPDATING VOTER REGISTRATION, IT MAKES IT SO EVERYBODY HAS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND ADDS ADDITIONAL BARRIERS IN VOTING.

TED: THIS IS FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS ONLY?

>> THE SAVE ACT IS UNCLEAR IF IT WOULD IMPACT FEDERAL OR STATE.

WE ANTICIPATE IT IMPACTING ALL ELECTIONS.

TED: I THOUGHT THE LEGISLATION ITSELF TARGETED FEDERAL.

YOU ARE SAYING IT COULD SPILL OVER INTO ALL ELECTIONS?

>> EXACTLY.

THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY DESIGNED, IT COULD IMPACT ELECTIONS AS WELL.

TED: WHAT ARE ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS?

>> ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS WOULD BE, RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU REGISTER TO VOTE, ALL YOU NEED IS VOTER REGISTRATION AND MOST COUNTIES REQUIRE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, SO WHEN YOU'RE PROVIDING PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, THAT MEANS THE U.S. PASSPORT OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

NOW THERE'S THE REAL ID THAT JUST CAME IN, AND AS WE KNOW, THAT'S BEING USED IN AIRPORTS STARTING SOON, BUT WITH THAT, THAT WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

YOU WOULD NEED WHETHER IT'S THE REAL ID OR REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE, IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU NEED SUPPLY A U.S. PASSPORT OR U.S.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR ALTERNATE DOCUMENTATION.

TED: THIS IS REGISTERING TO VOTE?

>> REGISTERING TO VOTE, UPDATING VOTER INFORMATION OR CURATING YOUR VOTE.

TED: YOU MUST SHOW THEM IN PERSON?

>> A LOT OF STUFF IS UNCLEAR, IT WILL REQUIRE EVERYONE TO GO IN PERSON TO VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICES AND PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTS IN PERSON.

TED: THIS SEEMS LIKE IT MIRRORS ARIZONA'S PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT?

>> SOMEWHAT FOR THE MOST PART.

SOME COUNTIES ALLOW DOCUMENTED PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP TO BE DONE ONLINE, VIA E-MAILING, IT DEPENDS ON THE COUNTY, BUT THIS GOES A STEP FURTHER SO IT'S A LOT MORE STRICT THAN WHAT ARIZONA ALREADY HAS IN ITS LAW.

TED: ARIZONA IS A TWO-TIER SYSTEM, DOES THAT GO AWAY IF IT BECOMES LAW?

>> THIS FEDERAL LAW WOULD SUPERSEDE WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

ALL OF ARIZONA'S COUNTIES NEED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WHAT THE SAVE ACT WOULD REQUIRE FROM THEM.

TED: WITH THAT IN MIND, BECAUSE WE HAVE A TWO-TIERED SYSTEM, FEDERAL ELECTIONS YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOW, THIS OTHER ELECTIONS SHOW MORE THINGS.

>> CORRECT.

TED: WOULD SUPERSEDE.

WITH THAT AS THE CASE, WOULD THE SAVE ACT AFFECT ARIZONA LESS THAN OTHER STATES?

>> DEFINITELY NOT.

IF ANYTHING, WE WOULD SEE IT HURT PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT THEY WERE PREPARED BECAUSE THEY'VE GONE THROUGH DIFFERENT PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP IN ARIZONA BUT NOW ARE GOING TO SEE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND BARRIERS.

TED: OKAY, FOLKS THAT HAVE PROBLEMS ACCESSING DOCUMENTS, GETTING DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE THE ACCURATE NAME, THESE SORTS OF THINGS, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN.

START WITH MARRIED WOMEN.

THAT'S THE ONE, WHOA, COULD THAT REALLY BE A PROBLEM?

>> DEFINITELY.

WHEN PEOPLE GET MARRIED, IT TAKES A WHILE TO UPDATE THEIR -- WHETHER IT BE THEIR PASSPORT, THEIR ID, ALL OF THEIR MATERIALS THAT HAS UPDATED NAME THAT THEY'RE CHANGING LAST NAME.

UNDER THE SAVE ANOTHERS EVERYTHING HAS TO BE UPDATED AND ACCURATE AND HAVE TO PERFECTLY MATCH THEIR LEGAL NAME.

IF THEY'RE REGISTERING WITH UPDATED NAME BUT WAITING ON RECEIVING PASSPORT, WAITING TO SAVE UP TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE DOCUMENTS OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THEY WILL NOL BE ABLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE, AND GO THROUGH MANY BURDENS.

TED: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE?

IMPACT THERE?

>> YES, YOU WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATE FORM OF PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP BECAUSE TRIBAL IDs THEMSELVES DON'T NECESSARILY PROOF SOMEBODY IS ALREADY A CITIZEN, SO IT WOULD HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THERE AS WELL.

THIS WOULD IMPACT TRIBAL FOLKS, MARRIED WOMEN, SENIORS, PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY AND MORE.

TED: COLLEGE STUDENTS?

>> DEFINITELY COLLEGE STUDENTS.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION.

A LOT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE NOT TAKING BIRTH CERTIFICATE WITH THEM, NOT TAKING PASSPORTS WITH THEM.

A LOT OF THE TIMES THAT'S LEFT AT HOME.

IF THEY'RE WANTING TO REGISTER AT HOME, UPDATE THE VOTER REGISTRATION OR CAST A BALLOT, THEY NEED TO PROVIDE THAT.

TED: THE REAL ID SITUATION, THAT WOULD PLAY A BIG FACTOR HERE, WOULD IT NOT?

>> DEFINITELY.

YOU'RE ALREADY TELLING ARIZONANS THAT AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING, WE NEED A REAL ID, MAKE SURE YOU ARE A CITIZEN, YOU NEED TO PROVIDE THE MATERIALS TO GET A REAL ID, BUT YOU'RE TOLD, GUESS WHAT?

YOUR REAL ID IS NOT ENOUGH TO CAST YOUR BALLOT, NOT ENOUGH TO UPDATE YOUR VOTER INFORMATION.

TED: THIS SAVE ACT, IT'S VAGUE IN A LOT OF WAYS BUT THERE IS A TARGET HERE.

WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S NECESSARY, IF ANYTHING THE SAVE ACT IS HURTING THE PEOPLE THAT IT'S CLAIMING IT'S SEEKING TO HELP.

WE KNOW THAT NONCITIZEN VOTING IS NOT A REAL ISSUE.

ARIZONA ALREADY HAS VERY COMPLICATED, VERY STRICT, VERY SAFE PROCESSES TO BE ABLE TO VERIFY ELECTIONS AND TO ENSURE THAT EVERY BALLOT CAST IS SAFE AND ACCURATE.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH THE SAVE ACT ARE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS THAT MAKE IT MORE COMPLICATED AND HURT AMERICAN CITIZENS, PEOPLE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.

TED: ELECTION FOOLING AROUND, TOM FOOLERY, DOES IT PREVENT THAT KIND OF THING?

>> DEFINITELY NOT.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE EVERYDAY ARIZONANS IMPACTED WITH THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CIVIC DUTY.

PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY MATERIALS TO REGISTER TO VOTE, UPDATE THEIR BALLOT OR MORE.

THAT IS MUCH MORE HARMFUL THAN ANYTHING ELSE THEY CLAIM IS HAPPENING.

WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE.

WE KNOW THAT OUR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE, AND THIS IS ONLY GOING TO MAKE IT SO THAT VOTERS FEEL DISENFRANCHISED.

TED: GIVE ME A TIMETABLE WHAT TO WATCH FOR.

>> THE SAVE ACT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE.

IT CAN GO TO THE SENATE AT ANY POINT.

WE DON'T HAVE A DATE OR TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN WE CAN ANTICIPATE IT, IT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME THIS YEAR, ANY TIME IN AUGUST ANY, TIME AT THE END OF THE YEAR OR LATER.

WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IS FOLKS ARE CALLING THEIR SENATORS, MARK KELLY, CONTACTING LOCAL LAWMAKERS AND WHERE THEY STAND ON THIS LEGISLATION AND LETTING THEM KNOW HOW THEY'D BE IMPACTED AS WELL.

TED: JENNY GUZMAN, COMMON CAUSE ARIZONA, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

.

TED: A NEW BOOK LOOKS AT THE IDEA OF USING BUDGETING DECISIONS TO TEACH CIVICS AND THE FUNDAMENTALS OF DEMOCRACY.

THE BOOK IS TITLED "EDUCATING DEMOCRACY: THE CASE FOR PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING IN SCHOOLS."

AND THE BOOK'S CO EDITORS JOIN US NOW, WE WELCOME TARA BARTLETT, CO-DIRECTOR OF THE ARIZONA CIVICS COALITION, SHE'S WITH ASU'S MARY LOU FULTON COLLEGE OF TEACHING AND DANIEL SCHUGURENSKY THE DIRECTOR OF THE PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE AT ASU.

THAT'S A LOT OF TITLES.

TARA, START WITH YOU, THE BOOK FOCUSES AND TAKES IDEAS ON CIVIC EDUCATION, BUT TAKES IT FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE.

TALK TO US ABOUT THIS.

>> DEFINITELY.

SCHOOL PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING IS SIMILAR TO A BUDGET BASED APPROACH OR ACTIVE CIVICS APPROACH, WHERE STUDENTS ARE LEADERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND MAKING BUDGETARY DECISIONS, EVERYTHING FROM IDEA COLLECTION, TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS AND PROPOSALS, PRESENTING TO GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS AND FACILITATING A VOTE DAY WITH PEERS AND THEIR SCHOOL CAMPUS.

TED: ALLOCATING FUNDS, COLLECTING FUNDS, FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT.

THIS DEALS WITH YOUR SCHOOLS.

IT'S THE REAL WORLD HERE?

>> YES, UNLIKE OTHER PROGRAMS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION, THIS IS NOT A SIMULATION, THIS IS FOR REAL, THIS IS AUTHENTIC AND INVOLVES ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

TED: I GUESS THE KIDS LEARN THERE ARE TRADE-OFFS, YOU HAVE TO DO HORSE TRADING HERE, TRUE?

>> NOT REALLY, BUT THEY LEARN THAT THERE ARE LIMITS TO HOW MUCH THEY CAN SPEND AND THE THINGS THEY WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SCHOOLS, SO THEY NEED TO LEARN ABOUT TRADE-OFFS, THEY NEED TO LEARN ABOUT MAKING AGREEMENTS.

THEY LEARN TO COLLABORATE.

THEY LEARN TEAMWORK, MANY THINGS ARE USEFUL LATER ON IN LIFE FOR THE WORKPLACE, FOR COLLEGE AND FOR LIFE IN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.

TED: ISN'T THERE A LITTLE HORSE TRADING GOING ON?

[LAUGHTER] >> NOT AT ALL?

>> NOT REALLY.

TED: CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND TEAMWORK ALL THAT STUFF, NEGATES HORSE TRADING.

GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT -- THERE'S SO MANY THINGS IN THE BOOK.

IT'S VERY DEEP AND GOES INTO IT STRONG.

GIVE US AN EXAMPLE.

>> WE WROTE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATED WITH 12 DIFFERENT AUTHORS ACROSS DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OF THE GLOBE.

WHAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE IN OUR EXPERIENCES ON THE GROUND IN ARIZONA.

I WAS AN EDUCATOR BEFORE AND DID THIS PROCESS IN THE CLASSROOM WITH STUDENTS, AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAY MY FAVORITE PROCESS IS INCLUSIVE MODEL WITH THE ARIZONA INCLUSIVE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MODEL.

THE PROCESS WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE TO ENSURE THAT THIS SCHOOL PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS IS ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND THE WINNING PRIZE WAS A SCHOOL THERAPY DOG.

TED: THAT'S GREAT.

THROUGH THE PROCESS, THE STUDENTS LEARN ALL SORTS OF THINGS, DON'T THEY?

>> YES, THEY LEARN COLLABORATION.

THEY LEARN TEAMWORK.

THEY LEARN HOW TO BUDGET.

FINANCIAL LITERACY.

THEY LEARN ABOUT COMMUNICATION SKILLS, THEY LEARN MANY THINGS ABOUT WHAT'S USEFUL IN LIFE.

TED: THE BOOKS ARE DEDICATED TO GETTING STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH THIS?

>> THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK ON PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING, THERE ARE MANY BOOKS ON THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL, THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK ABOUT SCHOOL PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING AND WE HAVE 14 CHAPTERS WITH DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AND CHAPTERS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AND THE IDEA IS TO DISSEMINATE THIS IDEA FOR SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS.

TED: IS THIS THE BEST PRACTICE KIND OF THING, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS, AND IT REALLY MARRIES THE RESEARCH FINDING SIDE WHICH DANIEL AND I LEAD THAT HERE ON THE GROUND, THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SO IT BRINGS FORTH, IF YOU'RE A SCHOOL AND LOOKING TO IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE, EMBED STUDENT VOICE, THERE ARE RESEARCH FIRST BEST PRACTICES THAT WE CAN OFFER.

TED: THIS GOT STARTED AT THE BIOSCIENCE SCHOOL IN PHOENIX?

>> IT DID.

TED: RIGHT HERE IN TOWN, HUH?

>> YEAH.

TED: HOW LONG AGO?

>> 2013, THE PRINCIPAL STARTED WITH $2,000, AND TOLD THE STUDENTS DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE SCHOOL, DON'T EMBARRASS ME, SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE, AND THE KIDS CAME UP WITH VERY EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS LIKE CAMERA FOR THE MICROSCOPES, INK FOR THE 3-D PRINTERS, OUTDOOR PAVILION, BUT MOST OF THE PROPOSALS, THERE WERE 18 PROPOSALS ON THE BALLOT, THEY WERE EDUCATIONAL, AND BECAUSE OF THAT EXPERIENCE, IT EXPANDED TO NOW WE HAVE MORE THAN 70 SCHOOLS DOING IT.

TED: WOW, THAT'S FANTASTIC.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONFUSED, THE DEMOCRACY, THE CONCEPTS OF WHERE CIVICS AND DEMOCRACY FITS IN.

TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT.

>> WE HAVE THE CIVIC KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, SKILLS AND PRACTICES, KNOWLEDGE WITH HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE AROUND THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

HOW PUBLIC BUDGETS WORK.

THE EDUCATIONAL TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE PIECES, AND ATTITUDE, WORKING WITH EMPATHY AND CRITICALLY THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND BRINGING NOT JUST YOUR OWN PROJECT TO THE TABLE BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO BENEFIT OR IMPACT THE GREATER SCHOOL COMMUNITY, RIGHT?

CRITICAL SKILLS, CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNICATION, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND THE PRACTICES, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE BEING A QUOTE, UNQUOTE CITIZEN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, PICKING UP TRASH OR MAKING NEW FRIENDS WITH STUDENT US THAT DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE.

THE ECOSYSTEM THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE IN DEMOCRATIC LIFE.

TED: YES, PLEASE.

>> DEMOCRACY, WE LEARN HOW TO MAKE IT EFFICIENT TOGETHER.

TED: WE DO.

AND MONEY, YOU GET BUDGETING INVOLVED AND PEOPLE PERK UP.

THEY FIGURE IT UP RIGHT QUICK.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BOOK, IT REMINDS ME IN BUSINESS CLASSES, TAKE A STOCK AND SEE HOW FAR YOU GO WITH IT, AND THAT KIND OF THING.

IT'S PARTICIPATORY KEEPS PEOPLE INTERESTED AND INVOLVED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

.

TED: ARIZONA RESTAURANT WEEK IS SET TO START MAY 16.

ANNUAL EVENT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO TRY A VARIETY OF PARTICIPATING LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

THIS COMES AMID UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT IMPACT THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AS MUCH AS OTHER SECTORS.

JOINING US IS STEVE CHUCRI, PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: WE TALKED ABOUT IT EVERY YEAR FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

GIVE ME A DEFINITION.

>> IT IS A LOT OF YEARS.

THIS IS 17th YEAR FOR SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK.

18th OR 19th WEEK FOR FALL, COME BACK TO THAT LATER.

RESTAURANTS ARE ON SALE FOR TEN DAYS THROUGHOUT THE VALUE.

WE'VE GOT THREE DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS, $33, $44 AND $55 AND YOU GET A THREE-ENTREE MEAL, APPETIZER, ENTREE AND DESSERT, PER PERSON.

IT'S A GREAT AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITY TO DINE OUT.

TED: AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESTAURANTS TO GET PEOPLE OUT THERE AND TRYING THINGS?

>> IT IS.

THIS YEAR BEING OUR BIGGEST YEAR, WE HAVE 220 RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING THIS SPRING, THE LARGEST EVER.

WHILE WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT, RESTAURANTS NEED HELP RIGHT NOW.

WE ENCOURAGE VIEWERS TO SIGN UP FOR RESTAURANT WEEK.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THE HELP IN A SECOND.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE RESTAURANT IS PARTICIPATEING?

>> THEY ALL REGISTER WITH US.

YOU HAVE TO REGISTER TO VIEW ALL THE APPLICANTS.

WE ARE THE SPONSOR, SO WE CONTROL THAT, AND PROMOTE IT, OBVIOUSLY, RIGHT, THROUGH EVENTS LIKE THIS AND PUBLICLY AS WELL.

TED: IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE, YOU CAN FIND THE RESTAURANTS INVOLVED.

IF A FAVORITE ONE IS THERE, SOMETHING YOU WANT TO TRY, THAT'S WHERE YOU GO?

>> ARIZONARESTAURANTWEEK.COM, YOU CAN SEE MENUS, YOU CAN DO ALL OF THAT AT ONE TIME.

TED: LET'S GET TO THE ECONOMY, A WOBBLY ECONOMY, STEVE, AND THE IMPACT ON RESTAURANTS.

THERE HAS TO BE AN IMPACT ON RESTAURANTS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> IT IS AN IMPACT.

I'VE BEEN AT THIS JOB FOR 24 YEARS, THIS IS AN EYEBROW-RAISING MOMENT FOR THE INDUSTRY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE'VE SEEN SLOWDOWN IN THE FAST, CASUAL SEGMENT WHICH WE'VE NEVER SEEN A SLOWDOWN IN THE FAST, CASUAL SEGMENT.

A CASUAL RESTAURANT IS AN OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, CASUAL RESTAURANT IS PANERA, WHERE YOU ORDER AND THEY BRING IT TO YOU.

FOR US TO WITNESS THAT RIGHT NOW IS UNIQUE, NOT COMPLETELY UNCOMMON BUT UNIQUE IT.

GOES TO THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE ECONOMY, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

IS MY JOB STILL GOING TO BE THERE?

THESE CUTS, EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING.

TED: HOW IS IT IMPACTING THE RESTAURANT.

GIVE ME WHAT IT IS DOING TO THE RESTAURANT, THE MORALE, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT GROWING AT 3%, YOU'RE LOSING.

INFLATION IS PEGGED AT 3%.

FOR THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IN ARIZONA, FOR THE PAST COUPLE QUARTERS, ONLY SEEN GROWTH ABOVE 2%.

NOT ABOVE THAT 3%.

SO THAT DOESN'T GIVE US CAUSE FOR CONCERN, BUT DOES GIVE US CAUSE TO BE CAUTIOUS, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO CLAMP DOWN ON EXPENSES, ON LABOR, RENTS, AS YOU KNOW, SOME RESTAURANTS ARE CLOSING BECAUSE RENTS HAVE GONE UP SO HIGH.

SO WHILE THERE'S BAD NEWS, THERE IS GOOD NEWS, WE'VE GOT 37 NEW RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING IN RESTAURANT WEEK THIS YEAR, AND NEW RESTAURANTS COMING UP.

SO IT'S A LITTLE MIXED BAG WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ECONOMICS.

TED: WERE THERE LESSONS LEARNED DURING COVID THAT CAN BE APPLIED NOW?

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE TAKE-OUT.

TAKE-OUT WAS 5% OF SALES AFTER COVID, IT SHOT UP TO 25%.

WE SEE IT HOVER AROUND 20%.

THAT'S ONE THING THE INDUSTRY NOT ONLY IN ARIZONA BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS GOTTEN GOOD AT IS HOW CAN WE GET FOOD OUT THE DOOR TO PEOPLE'S HOMES.

TED: YOU MENTIONED CASUAL AND FAST CASUAL, GIVE ME RESTAURANTS THAT ARE DOING WELL AND ARE THERE OTHER RESTAURANTS STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY?

WE TALKED ABOUT SUPPLY CHAIN YESTERDAY.

WE HAD A SUPPLY CHAIN EXPERT FROM ASU.

THERE IS STUFF COMING IN FROM CHINA.

THE BOATS ARE HALF FULL, SOME OF THE BOATS ARE ANYTHING TO BE EMPTY IN COMES WEEKS?

>> THERE COULD BE.

FINE DINING PRETTY SUCCESSFUL STILL YET.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DINE OUT, FAST CASUAL AND CASUAL SLOWING DOWN.

QUICK SERVICE, WE'RE SEEING COMEBACKS OF $1 MENUS AND THINGS THAT WERE GONE FOR A WHILE.

THE QUICK SERVICE INDUSTRY HAS GOTTEN AGGRESSIVE TO KEEP RESTAURANTS AFFORDABLE.

TED: ARE THERE PARTS OF TOWN HOTTER THAN OTHERS?

>> THE WEST VALLEY CONTINUES TO GROW.

WE HAVE TEN NEW RESTAURANTS JOINING RESTAURANT WEEK FROM THE WEST VALLEY ALONE, A THIRD OF THE RESTAURANTS ARE FROM THE WEST VALLEY.

WEST VALLEY, EAST VALLEY SEEING MONUMENTAL GROWTH.

TED: AS FAR AS NEW RESTAURANTS, YOU READ THE PAPER, SO MANY RESTAURANTS OPENING UP ON A MONTHLY BASIS HERE.

ARE THEY HANGING ON LONGER THAN USUAL OR COMING AND GOING QUICKER THAN USUAL?

>> THIS INDUSTRY ISN'T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

THEY'RE HOLDING ON LONGER, IF IT WASN'T FOR POPULATION GROWTH, I'D BE CONCERNED.

YOU'VE GOT SO MANY RESTAURANTS OPENING, YOU'VE GOT TO FEED PEOPLE.

THAT COMBINED WITH GREAT POPULATION GROWTH IN ARIZONA IS BOLSTERING OUR RESTAURANT ECONOMY.

LOOK, THERE ARE GOING TO BE BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.

WHEN WE GET THROUGH THE DOLDRUMS OF SUMMER, OUR HOPE IS FALL, WILL SELF-CORRECT IN FAST CASUAL AND CASUAL SEGMENT.

TED: FOR MORE INFORMATION, IT STARTS AND LASTS HOW LONG?

>> MAY 16 FOR TEN DAYS, GO TO ARIZONARESTAURANTWEEK.COM, YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING THERE.

TED: STEVE, BEFORE WE GO, YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME.

WHAT GOT YOU IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS?

>> I INTERVIEWED FOR A SATURDAY MORNING AND I SAID THEY DON'T WANT ME, THEY WANT A RESTAURANT GUY.

I WAS A BUS BOY FOR TWO DAYS AND I QUIT BECAUSE I KNEW I WOULD GET FIRED ON THE THIRD.

I'M A LOVER OF RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

I'M AN INVESTOR MYSELF.

ONE OF THE BEST INDUSTRIES KNOWN TO MAN.

TED: STEVE CHUCRI ARIZONA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION AND RESTAURANT WEEK IS COMING UP.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

TED: THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.