[ ♪♪♪ ] PSH PSH >> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> ON ARIZONA HORIZON - IT'S THE JOURNALISTS ROUNDTABLE.

WE'LL LOOK AT SOME OF THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING UPDATES ON THE EDUCATION SPENDING CAP, CALLS FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO RESIGN AND THE ABORTION BAN THAT JUST PASSED ON CRONKITE NEWS - COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR - THE DEBATE HEATS UP OVER WHETHER CHILDREN SHOULD WEAR MASKS IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN - A DIVE INTO THE ROLE WOMAN OF COLOR PLAY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M STEVE GOLDSTEIN, IN FOR TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY, AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

JOINING US TONIGHT FOR A LOOK AT SOME OF THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES ARE - MARY JO PITZL OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, HOWIE FISCHER OF CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES AND JIM SMALL OF THE ARIZONA MIRROR >> LET'S START OFF WITH WHERE WE ARE WITH THE SO-CALLED EDUCATION SPENDING CAP.

THE HOUSE TOOK ACTION 35-14 VOTE.

WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE VOTE.

WHY WAS THE HOUSE ABLE TO GET IT DONE.

>> ONE COULD ARGUE LEADERSHIP.

ONE COULD ARGUE THAT YOU HAVE MORE SENATOR IN THE UPPER CHAMBERS.

THE SENATE WANTS HALF OF THE CAUCUS, IF NOT A MAJORITY ON BOARD TO RAISE THE CAP SO SCHOOLS COULD HAVE IT IN THE BUDGET.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO THIS WEEK.

THE HOUSE MOVED QUICKLY, GETTING IT DOWN FOR A DAY.

>> TALKING ABOUT LEADER SHIP OF THE RUSTY TOOK LEADER SHOP ON THINGS LIKE SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING AUDIT THE 2020 ELECTION.

SAYING IF SCHOOLS COMBINE BUILDING OR CLASS, THEY'LL BLAME YOU.

AMONG THE 14 REPUBLICANS THAT DIDN'T VOTE IN THE HOUSE, THAT DIDN'T MATTER TO THEM.

THAT MESSAGE NEEDS TO GET ACROSS TO SOME FOLKS IN THE SENATE.

THERE'LL BE PEOPLE, THE WENDY ROBERTS OF THE WORLD DECIDING NO, I HATE SCHOOLS, NOT SURE I LIKE CHILDREN.

BUT YES WITH A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED TO GET THE MONEY.

WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL MONEY, VIRUS MONEY.

PEOPLE WILL SEE ON THE GROUND SCHOOLS CLOSING.

>> WHAT DO WE RUN INTO IN THE SENATE WITH SENATOR PHAM WANTING A MAJOR CITY OF THE CAUCUS, WE KNOW IT'S POLITICAL, WE HAVE SEEN IT WITH OTHER ISSUES, WHERE DOES IT LEAD US.

>> SHORT OF A VOTE.

WE SAW THEM A VOTE SHORT OF THE SUPER MAJORITY TO PASS THIS THE OTHER DAY HYMN THEY HAD THE VOTE.

WE WOULD HAVE SEEN A VOTE ON IT.

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS WERE ON BOARD OR NOT.

NOW YOU ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER 4-5 VOTES THAT YOU NEED TO ADD ON TO IT, AND IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT.

WHETHER THIS IS A POLITICAL PLAY, AND ENTRY IS GOING TO STICK TO IT.

WE'LL SEE WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD, THEY ARE HOLDING OUT HOPE, A LOT OF SENATORS ARE, THAT A JUDGE IN THE LAWSUIT IS GOING TO ISSUE A RULING SOON, HE DOESN'TS HAVE TO, HE HAS UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF MARCH.

AND SENATORS ARE UPSET ABOUT IT.

A NUMBER OF THEM WERE HOLDING OUT FOR THAT.

THROUGH TO THE END OF THE WEEK, THAT JUDGE HAS NOT ISSUED THE RULING.

THEY'LL BE AUNT INTENSE PRESSURE TO PASS AND AVOID THIS.

>> IN-HOUSE, THEY HAD A MAJORITY OF THE MAJORITY.

THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR HAVING THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AND LEGISLATURE SAYING AT LEAST WE HAVE MORE THAN HALF OF THE CAUCUS IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

THEY'LL WORK IT UNTIL THEY GET IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISCOMFORT FROM THE PROPOSITION 208.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

THE MONEY THAT THAT TAX INCREASE WILL RAISE OR WOULD RAISE DOES NOT - DOESN'T GO INTO THIS COUNT OF COOL BUDGETS.

>> THE KEY POINT IS I THINK THERE'S A BELIEVE.

AND RUSTY BAUERS SAID THIS AT ONE POINT.

THAT IF WE SET THE PRESIDENT A LIMIT, GOING BACK TO THE 1980 VOTER APPROVED MEASURE, THE JUDGE WILL SAY YOU DID IT BEFORE, YOU'LL DO IT AGAIN.

BUT AS POINTED OUT IT'S THE SEPARATE FISCAL YEAR, AND BUSTING THE LIMIT IS A DISCRETIONARY CHORE.

I FIND IT ARD TO BELIEVE THE JUDGE WILL SAY YOU DID THIS IT THIS YEAR, YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN.

>> EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO SAY NO, WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THE MONEY INTO SCHOOLS, GETTING TO ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH YOU DISCUSS, WHICH HAD TO DO WITH THE VOUCHERS, LAWMAKERS ARE SAYING WE'LL GIVE YOU THE MONEY IF WE GO TO UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS, PRETTY MUCH A UNIVERSAL BALL DID GET OUT OF THE SENATE.

WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO TAKE ONE OR TWO SENATOR TO SAY OKAY, WE'LL GET PART OF WHAT WE WANT.

MAYBE NOW WE CAN SAY WE ARE COMFORTABLE.

>> BEFORE WE BHOV INTO VOUCHERS -- MOVE INTO VOUCHERS, HERE IS THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

WHO BEFORE THE AUDIT SITUATION WAS CONSIDERED A CONVENTIONAL CONSERVATIVE.

AND WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE.

IS THERE ENOUGH INFLUENCE CONSIDERING HOW SHE FLOATED BACK AND FORTH.

>> TO GET THERE OVER THE FINISH LINE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SEEING, TRYING TO GET THE EXTRA VOTE.

AND THE HOUR OR TWO BEFORE THE SENATE WENT TO THE FLOOR, TYING TO ARM TWIST THAT FINAL VOTE TO GET THIS OVER THE FINISH LINE, SHOWS THAT SHE FAILED AT THE MISSION OF TRYING TO GET THIS PASS.

>> SHE'S GIVEN - I'LL USE THE TERM LOOSELY, CRAZIES IN HER CAUCUS, PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THEY WANT.

LOOK AT THE BILLS THIS PAST WEEK ABOUT ELECTIONS AND NEW AUDITS BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL, AND DISCUSSIONS IN DROPBOXES, BILLS UP TO GET RID OF EARLY VOTING.

WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT OR IS THIS A QUESTION OF YOU THINK IT PLAYS BETTER IN NOVEMBER TO YOUR VOTERS.

>> SHE IS STILL THE PRESIDENT.

SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO PUT BILLS IN HER DRAWER AND NOT MOVE THEM ALONG, IT'S HOW WE POINTED OUT.

ON THE ELECTION FRONT.

ON ABORTION, SCHOOL VOUCHERS, SHE BELIEVES AT LEAST ON THE LAST FEW TOPICS, SHE'S ALIGNED PHILOSOPHICALLY WITH THOSE.

>> WHAT IS DIFFERENT, IF ANYTHING - I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WITH WHAT PAUL GOT THROUGH THE SENATE THIS TIME.

>> WELL, EVERY YEAR THERE'S SOMETHING.

REMEMBER, THIS STARTED AS A 2011 LAW UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION, TO SAY KIDS THAT HAVE CERTAIN DISABILITIES, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU AN OPTION TO TAKE A VOUCHER - THEY HATE THE WORD.

>> AND GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL, MAYBE HOME SCHOOLING.

EVERY YEAR, I KNOW IT'S PART OF THE GAME PLAN THEY ADDED SOMETHING ELSE, IN TERMS OF FOSTER CHILDREN.

CHILDREN GOING TO DNS SCHOOLS, CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN CERTAIN ZONES, AND THIS - PAUL WILL SAY THIS DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR COMPLETELY, IT DOES.

YOU ADD IN, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU ARE IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU ARE SPENDING IS MORE THAN TEW EYEINGS AT ASU, SOMEHOW YOU GET A VOUCHER, OR IF YOU ARE IN A TITLE ONE SCHOOL, NOT THAT YOU ARE TITLE ONE, YOU ARE FROM A LOW INCOME FAMILY, BUT YOU MAKE 300,000 A YEAR, YOU GET A VOUCHER, IT'S THE OPRAH WINFREY PHILOSOPHY OF VOUCHERS.

>> DIDN'T VOUCHERS -- VOTERS REJECT THE EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS.

>> THEY DID, VOTERS RESOUNDINGLY REJECTED ANOTHER EXPANSION, NOT NEARLY AS BIG AS THE ONE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW.

IT WAS 63% OF THE VOTERS VOTING AGAINST IT.

IT WAS SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE PASSED.

TEACHERS HIT THE STREETS AND GATHERED KIGHTS.

THEY REJECTED IT.

SAYING NO, WE DON'T LIKE THIS, WE WANT THE MONEY TO STAY IN PUBLIC COOLS.

INTO PAUL VOYEUR INSISTS THAT SOME THAT VOTED KNOW LIKED VOUCHERS, BUT WERE AFRAID IF RATIFIED IT WOULD CEMENT IN THE TOP NUMBER MUCH VOUCHERS THAT YOU COULD HAVE.

I'M NOT SURE THAT VOTERS THOUGHT THAT CAREFULLY ABOUT IT.

I THINK IT CAME DOWN TO DO YOU WANT VOCHERS, DO YOU NOT, AND THE EDUCATION PEOPLE GOT PEOPLE TO COME OUT BY A 2:1 MARGIN TO SAY NO, LET TALK ABOUT INVESTING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

2022 IS A DIFFERENT YEAR.

IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO GO TO VOTE THIS, IS THE DYNAMICS, FAVOURING REPUBLICANS IN A LOT OF PLACES.

>> THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT.

>> WE THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THAT HAD.

EVEN PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IN 2022 WOULD HAVE BEEN COMFORTABLE DOING THINGS, THEY SAW UT FORCE OF PEOPLE AT THE CAPITAL DRESSED IN RED.

>> THAT WAS THE REAL BIG NOT THERE.

THERE IS A CLIMATE NOW OF A LOT OF DISTRUST AND SUSPICION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND WE SEE THAT IN A LOT OF BILLS ASSERTING PARENTAL CONTROL.

AND ANOTHER LEVEL OF REVIEW FOR BUYING LIBRARY BOOKS AND BANNING BOOKS, IT'S A DIFFERENT CLIMATE.

IF WE GET TO THE POINT THAT A BILL IS LAW, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF PUSH BACK THERE IS.

THERE'S SIMMERING TALK OF A GRAND BARGAIN, BROACHED BY CALLING THE REPUBLIC, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S NECESSARY HIS ORIGINAL, BUT IT'S GETTING TRACTION.

>> YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE THE LEADERSHIP.

THEY WOULD NEED BIG LEADERS.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.

THE PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE APPETITE FOR INCREASING VOUCHERS, IN ORDER TO GET DEMOCRATS TO MOVE FORWARD, YOU NEED THE PUBLIC EDUCATION GROUPS ON BOARD.

AND IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING COMING BACK TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION EDUCATION SYSTEM.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE OR IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO SWEETEN THE POT.

>> A QUESTION ON THE TOPIC.

THE SENATORS WERE ALMOST FIGHTING OVER THE WARD SEG RE QUAKES.

IT MADE ME UNCOMFORTABLE.

WHAT WERE THEY SELLING OUT THERE.

>> BOYER GOT A BLACK MINISTER TO TESTIFY THAT WHAT THE LACK OF VOUCHERS MEANS IS THAT BLACK CHILDREN ARE HOLD HOSTAGE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE RHETORIC WAS A LITTLE HEATED THAT THIS WAS THE NEW FORM OF SLAVERY, SLAVES WERE PROPERTY.

SCHOOLS SEE THE BLACK CHILDREN AS PROPERTY BECAUSE THEY GET STATE AID.

A LITTLE OVERWROUGHT U IN A LOT OF STATES, AND I LOOK AT LOUISIANA, IF YOU ARE A WHITE SID.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS TO GET THE SYSTEM OUT OF THE SCHOOL WITH BLACK CHILDREN.

WE SEE TOM OF THAT HERE.

I BELIEVE THAT THE VIKTOR ARVIDSSON CATHOLIC CONFERENCE SERVES KIDS OF YOU WILL AGES.

IF YOU WANT TO GO A 7,000 VOUCHER GETS YOU SO FAR.

THEY ARE FREE TO TURN AWAY WHO THEY DON'T WANT.

THEY WANT THE KIDS THAT ARE EASIER TO TEACH, WHO ARE NOT TROUBLE, SO YOU CAN TEST MY ON TEST SCORES AND SAY WE ARE A HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL.

>> LET'S GO THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, THE LATEST OF FIVE DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEYS SIGNED A LETTER, WE SUPPORT YOU, WISH YOU WELL IN DEALING WITH PREDICTION, BUT YOU UNDERSTOOD TO RESIGN NOW.

>> NOT ONLY THAT, YOU TOLD US ONE THING, AND YOU DID THE OPPOSITE.

YOU DID NOT KEEP YOUR WORD.

WE HAVE LOST TRUST IN YOU, WE HAVE LOST FAITH IN YOU.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO DE DONE.

THESE ARE THE DIVISION CHIEFS, IT'S NO SMALL THING FOR THEM TO PUT THEIR NAMES ON A LETTER AND PUBLICISE IS IT IT AND SHARE IT WITH THE STATE BAR.

>> THAT'S THE NEXT STEP.

THE STATE BAR AND AMERICAN BOARD OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE LOOKING INTO THIS.

>> IT WAS COPIED TO THE SUPERVISORS AND THE STATE BAR.

INVESTIGATING WHAT IS GOING ON, THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS HIRED AN ATTORNEY TO SEE WHAT CAN THEY DO, IF ANYTHING.

IT'S DEALING WITH ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL, IT'S NOT LIKE THEY CAN FUNCTION LIKE AN H.R.

DEPARTMENT AND SAY YOU NEED TO GO.

THEY CONDITION EXERT PRESSURE, I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT GOING ON HERE.

WE ARE NOW SEEING DEFENCE ATTORNEYS IN CAPITAL CASE, WHO ARE QUESTIONING.

WELL, THE ONWARD PERSON THAT CAN SIGN OFF IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, DID SHE DO IT, DID SHE DELEGATE AUTHORITY, THEY ARE RAISING A STING IN THEIR COURT CASES WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

THERE ARE LAWS THAT NEED TO BE FOLLOWED.

IF THEY QUESTION WHETHER THE LAWS ARE FOLLOWED.

BASED ON REPORTING THAT HAS COME OUT.

>> IS A RECALL POSSIBLE.

HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE.

>> THEORETICALLY.

I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT GETS PEOPLE'S ATTENTIONS.

THE RECALLS THAT WE HAVE, WHILE OVER 1070 MAKE THEM ABOUT BEING - I GUESS YOU'D SAY, BUT I DON'T SEE FOLKS WHO ARE ALARMED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I DON'T THINK A LOT OF FOLKS KNOW WHO IS THERE, YOU HAVE THE OPTIONS, ARGH, YOU HAVE THE STATE BAR.

IF THE STATE BAR WERE TO SUSPEND HER.

SHE LOSES HER OFFICE, YOU HAVE TO BE AN ATTORNEY TO BE A COUNTY AATTORNEY, SAME ASSIST WITH MARK BURNA VICH.

THERE IS A TALK OF A SPECIAL GRAND DURY, GOING BACK TO TOM INVESTIGATING TOM COLLY, THAT YOU COULD CONVENE, I AM NOT SURE THEY ARE READY TO GO THAT ROUTE.

I THINK THEY WANT TO SEE WHAT THE BAR WILL DO.

THEY MOVE SO SLOWLY, LOOK HOW LONG IT TOOK THEM TO DEAL WITH THE BURNA VICH COMPLAINT.

WE COULD BE PAST AN ELECTION AT THAT POINT.

>> IT'S ONE THING COMING OUT OF THE ANOTHER THING IN THAT OFFICE.

ONE OF HER MEMBERS SUBMITTED A RESIGNATION SAYING WE CANNOT DEFEND YOUR PERSONAL ISSUES THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO.

IN RESPONSE TO THAT, YES, SHE WAS WALKED OUT OF THE BUILDING.

I WILL SAY AS A JOURNALIST.

WE APPRECIATE COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS WHO ACT LICK PROFESSIONALS, STICKING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE PART OF THE JOB.

AND SHE WAS RECOGNISING THAT YOU ASK US TO RUN COVER TORE YOU, AND THAT'S NOT OUR JOB.

>> HOW IS THE POINT ABOUT WHETHER THERE COULD BE A RECALL.

IN IS THE THIRD LARGEST OFFICE IN THE COUNTRY, NOT ONLY IS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ENORMOUS, THE IDEA THAT THE AVERAGE VOTER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IS OVERWHELMING.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT OFFICE, AND GIVEN AMERICAN COUNTY, AND THE POWERS THEY HOLD.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOB IS NOT JUST DEATH PENALTY CASES, IT DETERMINES WHO GETS CHARGED AND WHO DOESN'T.

AND FOR ALL KINDS OF CRIMES, AND SO IT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT WITH IT, FOR PEOPLE WHO PAY ATTENTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TAM AND WHO WORK IN IT OR IN IT LIKE WE DO.

THEY RAISE THE RED FLAGS, AND MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE ALARMING AND CONCERNING.

>> HOW MANY PAY ATTENTION, WE WRITE STORIES EVERY DAY ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE LEGISLATURE DEALS WITH IT, AND IT'S OKAY, WHAT IS ON THE SPORTS PAGE, THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> LET'S GO TO A ROUNDTABLE.

WILL SHE RESIGN.

>> I THINK SHE'LL BE FORCED OUT.

AND SAY "I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF MY ISSUES.

I THOUGHT I COULD HANDLE IT.

I DON'T THINK SHE SURVIVES UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> I CAN'T PREDICT.

I HAVE NOT BEEN CLOSE TO THE SITUATION.

IT SEEMS PREMEDZ TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON HER, AND THEY'LL LOSE STAFF AND THE ABILITY TO FUNCTION IN THAT OFFICE UNLESS THERE'S A CHANGE AT THE TOP.

>> THAT IS WAITING TO DROP.

WHICH ARE THE TOP STAFFERS IN THERE.

AND THE FOLKS ENTRUSTED WITH RUNNING DAY TO DAY OPERATION, HOW MANY OF THOSE WILL LEAVE.

AND WILL IT RECRUIT FOLKS COMING IN, FINDING CAPABLE PEOPLE TO COME IN.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT MARICOPA COUNTY BEING THE THIRD LARGEST.

MAYBE NOT.

VERY GOOD.

I PROMISE YOU, WE GO BACK TO LEGISLATURE.

PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE, TURNING MARICOPA COUNTY INTO FOUR COUNTIES.

>> WELL, BASICALLY THEY WOULD CARVE IT UP INTO FOUR COUNTIES, MARICOPA WOULD CONSIST OF GLEN DALE.

TEMPE, IE DEMOCRATIC LEANING, AND THERE'D BE A COUNTY IN THE NORTH-EAST PART OF WHAT IS MARICOPA COUNTY, AND ONE IN THE SOUTH-EAST VALLEY, AND ONE ON THE WEST.

AND THIS IS ALL DONE IN THE NAME OF BEING MORE EFFICIENT AND GETTING GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO PEOPLE BECAUSE MARICOPA COUNTY IS A LARGE COUNTY, BOTH POPULATION WISE AND GEOGRAPHICALLY.

>> YOU ARE NOT BUYING IT.

>> LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY.

I HAVE BEEN HERE - YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE BEEN COVERING THE BEAT.

>> HOW MANY COUNTIES DID ARIZONA HAVE.

THERE HAS BEEN TALK IN THE PAST OF SPECIFICALLY THE EAST VALLEY.

RED MOUNTAIN VALLEY, THE JORS WERE FORCED TO DRIVE DOWNTOWN, AND THE PEOPLE PICKED WERE NOT REFLECTING OF US, AND THEY REALISED THE FISCAL REALITIES OF IT.

WHICH IS - TALK ABOUT DIVORCE.

THIS IS A FOUR WAY DIVORCE.

DIVIDING UP ASSETS.

CALIBRATING NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION.

DIVIDING UP LIABILITIES.

EXISTING BOND OBLIGATIONS, TAXES FOR THE LIGHT RAIL.

I MEAN.

>> YOU JUST HAVE TOO MUCH TO DO.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY WILL NOT TRY TO SHOVE THAT OUT OF HERE.

SOMEHOW LOOK, WE ARE PROVIDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS AS MUCH AS J KAUFMAN SAYS IT'S NOT POLITICAL.

THEY ARE ANNOYED THAT THE SUPERVISORS, CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICANS, DID NOT GO ALONG WITH THE AUDIT.

WITH THE THEORY THAT SOMEHOW DONALD TRUMP WON THE ELECTION.

>> HOW HE IS POSITING THIS COULD BE POLITICAL.

>> SHOCKING.

>> I MEAN, THERE'S A CLEAR POLITICAL ELEMENT TO IT.

DESPITE THE PROTESTATIONS OF HOFFMAN AND OTHERS, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S POLITICAL CALCULATIONS THERE.

YOU TAKE THE COUNTY, WHICH IS A DEEP PURPLE COUNTY IF A LOT OF CASES AND SPLIT IT INTO FOUR COUNTIES, ONE IS DEMOCRATIC, AND THE OTHER IS SOLID.

YOU CREATE OFFICES, SUPERVISOR OFFICES FOR REPUBLICANS, FOR CANDIDATES TO RUN FOR.

WE TAKE THE IDEA OF, YOU KNOW - ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT I THOUGHT WAS COMPELLING, FOR A LIMITED GOVERNMENT WHY WOULD WE CREATE FOUR MORE GOVERNMENTS THAT DO THE SAME THINGS, AND WE HAVE THREE MORE SHERIFF OFFICES, AND THREE MORE BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS, AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

ASIDE FROM ALL THE OTHER FISCAL THINGS TALKED ABOUT.

THEY ARE MASSIVE.

AND, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF THINGS ARE AT PLAY, AND THE IDEA OF ELECTIONS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

>> FINALLY ON THIS.

WHAT WILL MAKE THIS PROCEED?

DOES IT HAVE A CHANCE.

>> WE WERE SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT VOUCHERS AND EXPENDITURE LIMITS.

THERE ARE GRAND BARRING CANES TO BE -- BARGAINS TO BE STRUCK.

I'LL DO YOUR THING, YOU NEED TO DO THIS.

IT COMES TO THE FLOOR.

THERE'S A FACTOR COMING IN HERE, WILL THE GOVERNOR SIGN THIS, I WAS HERE LONG ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WHEN A BILL WAS VETOED TO TAKE THE NORTHERN PART OF NAVAHO AND APACHE AND CREATE A NOW COUNTY, HE EDS THIS MAKES NO SENSE.

WHAT WILL OUR GOVERNMENT DO, DEPEND, WHAT IS HE RUNNING FOR, WHERE WILL HE BE IN A YEAR FOR NOW, AND WHO IS HE TRYING TO PLEASE.

>> WHAT KIND OF PROPERTY TAXES WILL HE HAVE IF HE'S IN A SMALLER COUNTY THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE PROPERTY TAX.

>> THAT SEEMS LIKE A LEGISLATIVE ISSUE WHERE SOMEONE HAS AN IDEA, PUTTING IT FORWARD AND IT SHOWS UP ON A COMMITTEE AND IS ESTABLISHED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND THEY STEP BACK SAYING LET'S DO A STUDY COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES AND DEVELOP THEM.

BRINGING IT TO THE TABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROS, CONS, DIFFICULTIES.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF SENATOR KAUFMAN IS INTERESTED IN THAT.

>> THE FINAL TOPIC, SENATOR NANCY BARTOW, ABORTION BAN IN ARIZONA.

DETAILS ON THAT, AND WHY NOW?

>> I THINK THE WHY NOW, FIRST THE DETAILS WOULD BAN ABORTIONS AFTER 15 WEEKS, EXCEPTIONS FOR INCEST.

>> NO EXCEPTIONS.

>> ONLY FOR STREMENT MEDICAL THREAT TO THE MOTHER.

IT'S HAPPENING NOW BUT BECAUSE OF THE MISSISSIPPI CASE BEFORE THE US SUPREME COURT THAT MANY SUPREME COURT WATCHES BELIEVE WILL BRING EINED TO ROE V WADE.

>> I AM NOT SURE THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL OVERTURN ROE V WADE.

IT WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE STATES.

IF THE SUPREME COURT SAYS WE'LL LOOK AT THIS, AND 15 WEEKS IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

WE'LL HAVE THE LAW ON THE BOOKS.

INTERESTING QUESTION, WHAT HAPPENS THEN.

ARE THERE ENOUGH PEOPLE IN ARIZONA - TALK ABOUT REFERRALS EARLIER SAYING NO, WE'D LIKE TO DO THAT.

THE OTHER THING THAT IS GLOSSED OVER IS WHO LOSES IN THIS.

IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, CALIFORNIA HAS A LAW GUARANTEEING THE RIGHT TO ACCESS TO ABORTION.

NEVADA HAS A LAW GUARANTEEING THE RIGHT TO ABORTION, IF YOU ARE RICH ENOUGH TO GO THERE.

YOU ARE NOT DENIED.

WHO IS DENIED.

THE POOR PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT LOSE OUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE IDEA THAT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INSIST WHICH TEND TO BE COMMON.

>> I THINK IT REPRESENTS A SHIFT IN THE EITHER DO Y ON THE CONSERVATIVE -- IN THE ORTHODOXY ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE AS TO WHAT IS MEANT BY PRO-LIFE.

IT WASN'T LONG AGO THAT WE SAW REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR HIRE OFFICE.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN ANY EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

THEY WERE REJECT.

THEY WERE SEEN AS OUTLAYERS WITHIN THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT.

WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I THINK IT'S BECOMING THE NORM, AND YOU FIND FEWER AND FEWER REPUBLICANS - PEOPLE WHO ESPOUSE - SAY THAT THERE SHOULD BE EXCEPTIONS ARE VIEWED NEGATIVELY WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> PERHAPS THE CHANGE IN ORTHODOXY HAS BEEN FUELLED BY JUST AMY DOAN ENKONY BARRETT.

WHO POINTED OUT THERE'S ADOPTION.

SHE'S AN ADOPTIVE PARENT.

A CHILD CONCEIVED BECAUSE OF RAPE OR INCEST.

I GUESS SHE'S SAYING YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP THE CHILD, UT COMMUNITY WILL FIND A HOME.

>> BUT YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT, AND THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION OF I'M SORRY YOU ARE HELD HOSTAGE FOR NINE MONTH, SORRY YOU GOT PREGNANT.

AND THE NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT ELSE ARE THEY GOING TO DO, WILL PLAN B BE OUTLAWED.

THERE'S A BILL WAITING FOR HEARING TO BAN MEDICATION ABORTIONS ENTIRELY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO NIBBLE AWAY AT THIS.

AS WE WRAP UP.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION NANTES BY BARR TU THAT YOU WROTE AS WELL, PLANNED PARENTHOOD SHOULD STEP UP WHEN MOOR PEOPLE ARE BORN, MORE BABIES, WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE TEAM LEFT TO CARE FOR THEM IN TERMS OF FUNDING.

>> THAT'S FINE, IT'S NOT PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S OBLIGATION.

WHICH IS TRIMMED AWAY ABOUT THE BY BIT.

>> THERE'S NO COMPANION LEGISLATION.

>> NO, THE OLD SAYING IS WE BELIEVE IN THE PREBORN CHILD UP TO NINE MONTH, AND THEN EH IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS - ON CRONKITE NEWS THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES ARE MAKING THEIR ANNUAL MIGRATION - HOW THE POPULATION LOOKS THIS YEAR AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF DECLINE.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN - IS RACE AND GENDER EQUALITY A PRIORITY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

FIND OUT NEXT