COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

IT'S THE COURAGEST ROUND TABLE WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORY INCLUDING A NUMBER OF ELECTION BILLS.

ON CRONKITE NEWS THERE IS A LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE IN THE VALLEY AS HUNDREDS OF LIFEGUARD POSITIONS NEED TO BE FILLED FOR PUBLIC POOLS TO BE OPENED.

AND BREAK IT DOWN, 50 YEARS AFTER THE PASSAGE OF TITLE 9.

THAT'S NEXT ON THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

IF GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY AND THAT MEANS ITS TIME FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF THE JOURNALISTS' ROUND TABLE.

JOINING US TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES ARE HOWIE FISCHER OF CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES, MARY JO PITZL OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, AND BOB KHRISTIE OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARE WE GOING TO SEE INCREASES IN THE EDUCATION.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE A SPECIAL SESSION--GO.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A SPECIAL SESSION.

BY THE TIME WE'RE OFF THE AIR EVERYONE SHOULD YOU RUN TO THE NEWSWIRED TAKE THAT OUT.

THERE IS BROAD SENTIMENT NOT TO BACKFILL THE PROP 208.

REVENUES FROM OUT OF STALE RETAILERS, AND C, THERE IS NO REASON TO HAVE THIS IN A TWO.

STEP PROCEDURE.

ORIGINALLY IT WAS GOING TO GO DOWN TO 2.5% BY 2025, NOW THE FEEL SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD DO IT AS EARLY AS THIS YEAR.

UNDER THE THAT WE'RE HELPING PEOPLE WITH INFLATION.

NEVER MIND THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SEE IT UNTIL NEXT APRIL.

>> HE TALKED ABOUT THE GRAND BARGAINING, AND PROP 208, IS THAT A GRAND BARGAIN GAINING ANY TRACTION.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF SORE FEELINGS AMONG SOME REPUBLICANS ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY GET NO CREDIT.

THEY HAVE PUT MONEY INTO EDUCATION EVERY YEAR.

THEY HAVE.

PUT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE ALWAYS GETTING BLASTED FOR NOT FUNDING ENOUGH.

SO THERE IS SOME HESITANCE TO DO WHOLE LOT TO HELP THE SCHOOLS.

BUT THE ARGUMENT BEHIND THE GRAND BARGAINING, YOU RAISE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR DISTRICT SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEN MAYBE MAKE THE VERY MUCHER PROGRAM UNIVERSAL OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WANTS IT.

THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN THERE FOR TEN YEARS AND IT HAS NOT GROWN A LOT, SO MAYBE PEOPLE WON'T BREAK THE PAINT BY GOING FOR VOUCHERS.

>> IS IT GOING TO BE AN EITHER/OR THING?

OR WILL WE FIND A BALANCE HERE?

>> HMM, THERE IS ALWAYS AN EFFORT TO GET A REPUBLICAN BALANCE IN THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

I DON'T THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO GET WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY WANT THE $800 MILLION PLUS A YEAR THAT THE VOTERS VOTED FOR.

THEY WANT THAT.

THEY DON'T WANT THE TAX CUTS.

WHEN THE TAX CUTS PASSED LAST YEAR, THE PROATION GROUPS, THE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS WENT OUT AND COLLECTED SIGNATURES TO BLOCK THEM.

THEY ARE NOT IN EFFECT UNTIL NOVEMBER, THIS IS GOING TO REPEAL LAST YEAR'S TAX CUTS.

THAT MEANS THE VOTERS DON'T GET TO WEIGH IN ON IT.

>> THAT'S REALLY KEY.

BECAUSE IF, IN FACT, YOU'RE DOING A DIFFERENT VERSION, ARE YOU BASICALLY JUST TELLING THE VOTERS I THINK IT WAS A GIANT MIDDLE FINGER AT VOTERS?

BASICALLY WE'RE GOING TO REDO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.

ACCELERATE IT, PLAY WITH THE NUMBERS, AND NOW YOU HAVE TO GO OUT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, GET ANOTHER 118,000 SIGNATURES TO SEND IT BACK TO THE BALLOT WHERE IT ALREADY IS.

>> BUT ISN'T THAT THE POINT?

IF YOU INCREASE EDUCATION SPENDING YOU WOULD AVOID THIS HOO HA.

>> THE GRAND BARGAIN IS NOT ON THE TABLE WITH THIS ALLEGED UP COMING SPECIAL SESSION MAYBE THAT WILL BE THE REASON TO HOLD OUT TO GET SOME CONCESSIONS BUT MY SENSE IS ONCE YOU CUT THAT TAX RATE DOWN TO 2.5%, YOU GET A FLAT RATE, WHAT'S TO HOLD YOU TO A PROMISE TO DO SOMETHING DOWN THE ROAD TO PUT SOME OF THAT SURPLUS PERMANENTLY BACK INTO SCHOOLS.

>> THE POINT IS THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND $800 MILLION MORE ON K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.

THEY OPPOSED PROP 208 BECAUSE IT RAISED TAXES.

THEY ALSO OPPOSED IT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PUT THAT MUCH MORE MONEY INTO K-12 EDUCATION.

>> THE SPENDING CAP WOULD NOT BE PART OF THE SPECIAL SESSION EITHER?

>> NO, THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE TAX CUTS AND THEN A LITTLE PROBLEM WITH THE PRECINCT COMMITTEE WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT LATER.

>> YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE VOTERS PROP 208 WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE VOTERS.

THE JUDGE WHO PUT PROBABLY THE FINAL NAIL IN THAT COFFIN JUST LAST WEEK WAS SAYING, HEY, IN HIS OPINION, AS AN ASIDE, LEGISLATURE, YOU REALLY SHOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY THE ROLE OF THE VOTERS AS A CO-EQUAL IN TERMS OF MAKING PUBLIC POLICY.

YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT.

IF YOU THEN FOLLOW THAT UP WITH GETTING RID OF THE CITIZEN REFERENDUM, WHICH IS ASKING VOTERS TO SAY DO YOU REALLY WANT THIS BILLION DOLLAR TAX CUT THAT WOULD LOWER YOUR TAXES ABOUT 2.5%, IF YOU NULLIFY THAT AS WELL, YOU REALLY ARE SENDING A MESSAGE, I THINK.

>> BUT HERE'S THE THING, THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE CITIZENS AS CO-EQUAL.

EVEN THOUGH THAT'S WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS.

THE VOTERS HAVE THE POWER AND WHO HAVE DELEGATED SOME OF THAT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS A LEGISLATURE THAT HAS DONE A SERIES OF THINGS TO MAKE IT HARDER ON THE BALLOT.

STRICT COMPLIANCE.

THERE IS A MEASURE THAT YOU HAVE TO GET SIGNATURES IN ALL 30 LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

AND IT IS 60% WHICH IS FUNNY BECAUSE IT TAKES ONLY 51% TO GET THINGS OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY NEVER LIKED THE IDEA OF PEOPLE PRO POETSING THEIR OWN LAWS.

NEVER.

>> A SPECIAL SESSION IS CALLED.

WHO CARES?

>> NOBODY CARES.

I'M TRYING TO GET MY ARMS AROUND WHY THEY'RE DOING THIS.

THEY DON'T NEED TO DO IT.

IF THEY WANT TO REPEAL THE TAX CUTS THEY DON'T NEED A SPECIAL SESSION.

THEY JUST INTRODUCE THE BILLS.

THE 16 REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE AND 31 IN THE HOUSE VOTE FOR THEM.

THEY SEND IT TO THE GOVERNOR AND HE SIGNS THEM.

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?

WELL, THE BIG DEAL IS THAT IT SENDS A MESSAGE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY WANT TO GET THIS PROBLEM OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE LAST YEAR WITH THE TAX CUTS, THEY ALL GOT WRAPPED INTO THE BIG BUDGET CONFERENCES.

>> YES.

>> THEY HAD TO GIVE AWAY A LOT OF STUFF TO PICK OFF ALL THE INDIVIDUAL VOWEDDERS, OR THE INDIVIDUAL REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHICH BROUGHT ON THE SUPREME COURT.

>> IN THE OLD DAYS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT RULING.

>> IN THE OLD DAYS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT RULING.

ALL THAT HORSE TRADING IS GONE.

THEY WANT TO GET THE TAX CUTS OUT OF THE WAY, GET A STRAIGHT BUDGET, DEAL WITH THE POLICY AND MAKE EVERYBODY THINK KUMBAYA.

>> THERE WAS TALK FOR A WHILE, AND MAYBE THERE IS STILL TALK, MARY JO OF A SPECIAL SESSION AND THE SNAFU, WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT, AND WHY IS THIS SO MUCH OF A BIG DEAL TO ONE PARTY AND THE OTHER PARTY SHRUGS IT'S SHOULDERS?

>> THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF THE SPECIAL SESSION TAX CUT.

PRECINCT COMMITTEE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF A LAW PASSED ON MARCH 3RD, THEY ELIMINATED THE ABILITY TO ELECT PRECINCT COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

FOR SOME TECHNICAL LOW JUST IF I CANCAL REASONS.

BUT THE LAW NOW ALLOWS THEM TO BE APPOINTED AND THEN CONSIDERED ELECTED.

THERE IS ALSO SOME DIFFERING OPINIONS IF THIS DRAMATICALLY LOWERS THE NUMBERS OF PRECINCT COMMITTEE PEOPLE PER DISTRICT.

THAT'S DEBATABLE.

LAWMAKERS HAVE--THE REPUBLICANS HAVE JUST GOTTEN HOLY HECK FOR THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE DEPRIVING PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO BE ELECTED.

THEY WANT TO HAVE--THEY WANT TO BE ELECTED.

THIS IS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR DEMOCRACY, ETC., ETC.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO UNDO WHAT THEY DID REALLY QUICKLY.

BUT THEY CAN'T DO THAT QUICKLY WITHOUT THE DEMOCRATS.

THE DEMOCRATS AREN'T WILLING TO DO THAT.

FIRST OF ALL, THE DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF PCs TO BEGIN WITH, AND THEY'RE QUITE COMFORTABLE BEING APPOINTED.

THIS IS A GREAT THING TO SORT OF HOLD THE REPUBLICANS OUT.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, IS THERE A WAY FOR DEMOCRATS NOW TO SAY ALL RIGHT, WE CAN JUMP ON BOARD, BUT WE WANT X, Y AND Z?

>> THE FACT IS THEY DON'T WANT TO APPROACH DEMOCRATS ON THAT.

THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE TERRIBLY INTERESTED.

ON ONE HAND AS MARY JO POINTS OUT, THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE READ THE BILL WHEN THEY PASSED IT ARE GETTING HAMMERED BY THE PRECINCT COMMITTEE PEOPLE.

THESE ARE VERY OFTEN THE TRUMP WING OF THE PARTY.

SAYING YOU'RE TRYING TO OUT-MANEUVER US.

THE DEMOCRATS, YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO REBECCA RIO, SHE SAID, NOBODY SEEMS INTERESTED IN TALKING TO ME ABOUT THIS.

CERTAINLY THERE ARE THINGS WE WANT.

MAYBE WE CAN GET RID OF SOME OF THESE WEIRD VOTING BILLS WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT.

>> DID THEY ACTUALLY READ?

THEY DIDN'T READ THE LEGISLATION?

MAYBE SOME OF THEM DID READ IT AND THOUGHT THIS IS NOT A BAD THING.

>> THAT'S QUITE POSSIBLE.

I DID NOT SURVEY THE DEMOCRATS.

SURELY THEIR STAFF ATTORNEYS PROBABLY LOOKED AT IT, AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY BLAME TO GO AROUND HERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY THOUGHT WOULD FIX A PROBLEM.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS REALLY FLEW UNDER THE RADAR AS MUCH AS THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WANTS YOU TO THINK IT DID.

BUT PRECINCT COMMITTEE--THEY DID A GREAT STORY THIS WEEK WHERE THEY LOOKED--AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM.

HOW MANY REPUBLICAN PCs ARE ACTUALLY ELECTED.

MOST OF THEM AREN'T BECAUSE ONE OF THEM RUNS.

THEY'RE APPOINTED.

THERE IS NEVER AN ELECTION.

BUT THEY GET A CERTIFICATE IN THE MAIL THAT SAYS I WAS ELECTED.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY POWER, REALLY.

THEY GET TOGETHER ONCE A YEAR, IF A LAWMAKER RESIGNS, THEY GIVE A LIST OF THREE PEOPLE TO THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR.

THIS SEEMS OVER BLOWN.

>> AND IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE LEGISLATION THAT HAS PASSED TO FIX THIS, AND IT HAS PASSED BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BUT WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE, IT REALLY DOESN'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL MOST LIKELY THE AUGUST 2ND PRIMARY.

SO HOW DOES THE PRECINCT COMMITTEE PERSON GET TO FILE FOR RUN FOR OFFICE IF THE CURRENT LAW DOES NOT ALLOW THAT.

>> THAT'S THE SPECIAL SESSION WHICH ACCESS RATES IT.

LEGISLATION TAKES PLACE MID-JUNE.

WHICH WOULD PUT IT OUT TO THE PRIMARY.

IF THEY DO A SPECIAL SESSION THEM IT WOULD TAKE EFFECT EARLIER.

BUT IT STILL DOESN'T FIX IT.

>> THAT'S THE POINT, IT STILL DOESN'T MATTER.

THE DEADLINE TO FILE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE IS IN APRIL, WELL, IT WILL TAKE EFFECT 30 DAYS FROM TODAY, WE'RE TALKING JUNE 16TH, BUT WE'LL MAKE IT RETROACTIVE.

THIS IS NOT A DOCUMENT THAT WE CAN MOVE TIME, SPACE AND DIMENSIONS TO FIT THE PCs AGENDA.

>> BUT WE CAN MOVE ON BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD TALK ABOUT PRECINCT COMMITTEE THAT MUCH.

14 OF THESE THINGS WERE VOTED DOWN, TWICE IN THE PAST WEEK.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> THERE ARE PROBLEMS GETTING SOME OF THE ELECTION BILLS THAT THE DIEHARD REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WANT OUT.

THE ONES THAT ARE DEMOCRATS OBVIOUSLY ARE OPPOSED TO VIRTUALLY ALL OF THEM.

THERE ARE SOME FIXES THAT SOME MIGHT SIGN ON TO.

BUT THEY'RE SPENDING $4 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE AUDITOR GENERAL RECOUNTER DO A SUBSTANTIAL AUDIT AFTER EVERY ELECTION.

THERE ARE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR ELECTION OFFICIALS WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, MY WIFE DOWN AT THE ELECTION OFFICE WHO HAS WORKED IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, SHE DOESN'T WORK THERE, BUT SHE HAS FRIENDS WHO HAVE WORKED THERE.

THEY'RE JUST NORMAL PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THEIR JOBS.

THEY WANT TO PUT CRIMINAL PENALTIES ON THEM.

THERE IS ALL SORTS OF STUFF THAT IS JUST WAY OUT THERE.

AND SEVERAL REPUBLICANS SAID NO WAY.

>> THE SENATOR WHO WAS ON THE SHOW, WE ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

HE JUST SAID READ THROUGH THESE THINGS.

IT'S BAD POLICY.

SOME OF IT IS DUPLICATIVE, AND IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> WHY ARE ALL THESE BILLS EVEN COMING TO THE FLOOR.

YOU USUALLY DON'T BRING THEM UP FOR A VOTE UNLESS YOU'RE CONFIDENT THAT YOU HAVE THE VOTES.

>> VOTED TO KILL HER BILL WHICH WOULD ALLOW BUSINESS OWNERS TO SHOOT TO KILL PEOPLE WITH SPRAY CANS AND VANDALS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THE TEMPERS ARE REALLY GETTING RAW.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BILLERLY FOUGHT AFTERNOON DEBATES THAT I'VE SEEN IN MY YEARS DOWN THERE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS.

AND IT WAS SORT OF SOME OF IT WAS KIND OF--YOU HAD TO WATCH TO REALLY NOTICE HOW MUCH RECRIMINATION AND DRIPPING SARCASM WAS OUT THERE.

AND OTHERS WERE JUST ALL.

OUT BOMB THROWING.

>> WITH A WAS SOME OF IT WITH SENATOR.

>> THEY'RE JUST FLABBERGASTED.

SHE THINKS THAT THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP.

THERE IS NO DIRECTION.

THERE IS NO--NOTHING COMING FROM THE LEADERSHIP.

>> CRIME OF THE CENTURY.

>> CRIME OF THE CENTURY.

>> THAT'S THE ELECTION FRAUD THAT HAPPENED HERE IN ARIZONA.

>> I CERTAINLY THINK IT IS.

AND WHY ARE WE SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT IT?

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT, AND NO, HE WAS NOT ELECTED.

I'M SORRY.

TO SAY THAT THERE WAS THIS GREAT FRAUD THAT OCCURRED, 200,000 BALLOTS WITH MISMATCHED SIGNATURES, THE WHOLE ROUTINE.

ALL THIS AUDIT MATERIAL WAS TURNED OVER TOP TO A GUY WHO SUPPOSEDLY DID A SCAN OF SIGNATURES AND THEY'RE WAITING FOR BURNOVICH.

HE'S RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE.

HE HAS ALREADY TICKED OFF THE TRUMP WING OF THE PARTY, BY THE SAME TOKEN HE NEEDS THOSE PEOPLE GIVEN THE FOLKS WHO ARE RUNNING AGAINST HIM WHO ARE EVEN FURTHER TO THE RIGHT.

>> THEY'RE SAYING THAT THERE ARE EVIDENCE OF CRIMES.

TRUMP THINKS THERE ARE CRIMES.

BRNOVICH'S PICKLE IS THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS ANY REAL PROBLEM IN THE ELECTION.

>> AND IN FACT, TO THAT POINT, WHEN THEY ISSUED THE AUDIT, THEY SAID WE FOUND THINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND, WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF FRAUD.

THAT'S FROM THE AUDITORS.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHERE YOU GO WITH THAT.

>> AND AGAIN, BRNOVICH CAN ONLY SAY SO MUCH IF HE WANTS HIS POLITICAL CAREER TO ADVANCE.

>> HE'S GOT PEOPLE THAT ARE RUNNING ARGUEBLY TO HIS RIGHT.

BUT THOSE ARE THE REALLY ACTIVE VOTERS.

THEY'RE SUPPORTED BY VOTERS WHO TURN OUT IN PRIMARIES.

>> HE GOT THIS, WHAT, IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR?

I WAS TALKING TO PEOPLE LAST SEPTEMBER, THEY SAID HE--THESE ARE LEGITIMATE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE WHO SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY SAID HE SHOULD SHUT THIS DOWN.

LOOK AT IT, SPEND THREE WEEKS, AND THEN SHUT IT DOWN.

AND NOW IT'S HANGING AROUND HIS HEAD.

>> WE HEARD THAT THE PRESSURE THAT COMES FROM THE RANK AND FILE.

>> REMEMBER, THE AUDIT IS NOT DONE.

THEY'RE STILL LOOKING AT THOSE ROUTERS.

MAYBE WHEN THAT REPORT COMES OUT THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT BRNOVICH-- >> MAYBE HIS THEORY IS I'LL WAIT IT OUT UNTIL THE AFTER THE PRIMARY.

>> BUT HE'S TRYING TO FIND MORE LOW-HANGING FRUIT.

AS OF TODAY, THE SYSTEM FOR SIGNING ONLINE PETITIONS WHICH WAS SHUT DOWN, HE HAS THREATENED TO GO AHEAD AND SUE HOBBS OR DO SOMETHING.

WE'RE NOW WAITING FOR THAT SHOE TO DROP.

HE'S MORE INTERESTED IN THE NICE, SIMPLE, LOW.

HANGING DROP.

I'M GOING AFTER THE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> AND IT'S EVEN COMING TO THIS LAWSUIT THAT THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS FILED TO GET RID OF EARLY VOTING.

BRNOVICH'S BRIEF, HE'S REPRESENTING THE STATE.

WELL, REALLY THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENT REALLY SHOULDN'T BE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT, BUT CAN YOU TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUES THAT KATIE HOBBS AND I HAVE DISAGREED ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE ELECTION PROCEDURES MANUAL.

>> I WAS GOING TO MENTION AS FAR AS THE TOUCH SLAMMING BRNOVICH, AND STRONGLY TRUMP-ENDORSED CARY LAKE.

HE SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS THIS IDEA OF SUING THE STATE, GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT REGARDING EARLY BALLOTING AND EARLY ELECTIONS IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA.

IT DOESN'T EVEN SOUND LIKE THE GOVERNOR THINKS THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.

>> NO, THE GOVERNOR CALLED IT ILL-CONCEIVED.

IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE LEGAL BASIS, AND HE POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNORS GOING BACK AT LEAST UNTIL 1991 WHEN WE HAVE NO EARLY VOTING AND GOING BACK TO 1919 WHEN FIRST ALLOWED ABSENTEE VOTING HAVE DONE THIS, REPUBLICAN GOVERNS, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNS, REPUBLICAN SECRETARIES OF STATE, DEMOCRATIC SECRETARIES OF STATE HAVE ALL DONE THIS.

NO ONE HAS FOUND A FLAW.

NOW HE SAID THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS FOUND A FLAW?

CARY LAKE, YOU KNOW, COMPAREY IS FROM A WHOLE DIFFERENT WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SHE DOESN'T LIKE THIS GOVERNOR.

SHE HAS MADE IT CLEAR.

SHE DOESN'T LIKED ESTABLISHED REPUBLICAN.

SHE HAS MADE IT CLEAR.

THAT'S HER PATH TO THE NINTH FLOOR OF THE EXECUTIVE TOWER OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> IT IS WORTH NOTING THE LAWSUIT, THE SUPREME COURT GOT--I THINK I LOST COUNT BUT TEN FRIEND OF THE COURT BRIEFS OPPOSED IT, DEPENDING EARLY VOTING ALL THE WAY FROM TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO COUNT RECORDERS.

WE HAVE AN ELECTION OFFICES, IF WE HAD TO DO THIS AND GO TO ALL VOTING ON ELECTION DAY AT THE POLLS, NO MAIL-IN, NO DROP BOXES, NO EARLY VOTING, IT WILL BE TREMENDOUS--I THINK THEY CALLED IT AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT.

>> NOT TO MENTION VOTE NECESSARY SUN CITY WOULD GO BALLISTIC.

>> OR WORSE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THEY WOULD GO HOME.

>> RIGHT, THEY WOULDN'T SHOW UP.

THAT WOULD BE HORRIFIC FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> AND ALSO, GOVERNOR DUCEY DID COME OUT AS WELL, AND HOWIE, WE'LL GO WITH YOU ON THIS ONE AND SLAMMED ALASTAIR ADELE WHO THINKS THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE.

AND WE HEARD THIS AFTERNOON, ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK BRNOVICH GOT IN ON THE ACT.

HE WANTS TO SEE 180 CASES DROPPED BECAUSE SOMEONE DIDN'T FILE THEM WITH THE PROSECUTOR.

>> REMEMBER, THIS IS NOT OCCURRING IN A VACUUM.

THIS IS OCCURRING AFTER SHE ACKNOWLEDGED AFTER BEING PRESSURED BY HER OWN STAFF DEALING WITH ALCOHOLISM.

YOU DID A GREAT INTERVIEW WITH HER.

SHE'S DEALING WITH AN EATING DISORDER.

SHE SAYS EVERYTHING IS FINE.

AND THEN TO FIND OUT EVERYTHING ISN'T FIND.

HER OWN TOP PROSECUTORS HAVE FILED A BAR COMPLAINT AND SAID SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

THEN I THINK WHAT I THINK GOT THE GOVERNOR'S GOAD IF YOU WILL, WELL, HER SAYING I CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH 180 CASES.

HE SAID, WAIT A SECOND.

LEADERSHIP STARTS AT THE TOP.

DO NOT BLAME YOUR PROSECUTORS.

DO NOT BLAME THE FOLKS BENEATH YOU.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE VICTIMS.

DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET AWAY WITH IT BY SLIDING AND SAYING NOT MY JOB.

>> AND THE CRITICISM AND THERE ARE MANY CASES THEY ARE UNHAPPY WITH HER.

THEY DON'T LIKE WORKING WITH HER.

THEY DON'T THINK SHE'S DOING--WHEN YOU HAVE 180 CASES THAT HAVE TO BE DROPPED.

THAT'S A NUMBER, A METRIC THAT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.

>> NO, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN.

THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE.

I USED TO TELL--WHEN I WAS A NEWSPAPER GUY DECADES AGO, I WOULD HAVE BREAKFAST WITH THE NEW POLICE CHIEF.

WHEN YOU STEP IN IT, HAVE A NEWS CONFERENCE.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED, THIS IS WHAT I'M DOING TO FIX IT, AND IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

AND SHE HAS NOT DONE IT.

THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS TELLING HER.

IT'S YOUR OFFICE.

YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, YOU FIX IT.

>> THE WHEN HE SAID THAT, THE NEXT DAY SHE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY.

>> I GUESS SHE RECEIVED THE MESSAGE BUT I THINK SHE SAID THAT IN A PREPARED STATEMENT.

SO YOU WONDER HOW MUCH THAT WAS VETTED.

>> BUT IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THE PROBLEM.

WE HAVE THIS LETTER FROM BRNOVICH THAT WENT OUT YESTERDAY THAT SAID I HAVE SUPERVISORY BAUER OVER ALL THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

I WANT TO KNOW THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR OFFICE AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE.

THIS IS GOING TO BLEED ON HER FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE IS A VEILED THREAT IN THERE.

WHEN SHE SAID I SUPERVISOR COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

DOES HE THINK HE HAS THE POTENTIAL POWER.

THERE IS ANGST.

IF YOU NEED TO GET RID OF ALASTAIR ADELE.

SHE'S ELECTED.

DO YOU COLLECT SIGNATURES AND RECALL HER?

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DON'T HAVE THE POWER.

BUT DOES BRNOVICH HAVE THE POWER?

I ASSUME HE HAS HAD SOME OF HIS LAWYERS DO THE RESEARCH.

>> HAVE WE EVER SEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAKE SOME OF THESE ACTIONS LONG THE LINES OF THIS AGAINST THE COUNTY ATTORNEY?

DURING THE ANDREW THOMAS YEARS?

>> HE DIDN'T HAVE 180 CASES.

>> AGAIN, THOSE WITH DISAGREEMENTS IN PHILOSOPHIES AND PERSONNEL.

>> TO PUT THIS IN CONTEXT.

THESE ARE MISDEMEANOR CASES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MISDEMEANOR CASES THEY FILE EVERY YEAR, IT'S A HUGE NUMBER, PROBABLY.

THIS 180 CASES IS PROBABLY ONE FILE CABINET IN ONE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY'S-- >> THINK OF THE VICTIMS.

>> I KNOW, I'M NOT SAYING--I'M JUST SAYING.

PUT IT IN CONTEXT.

>> YES, IT IS A NUMBER, IT'S A RUBIK.

WE GOT THAT.

BUT HER RESPONSE WAS, WELL, SHOOT, I CAN'T BE-- >> IT'S ALWAYS THE RESPONSE.

NIXON GOT BLOWN OUT OF OFFICE NOT FOR WATERGATE BUT FOR LYING ON IT.

IT'S ALWAYS THE RESPONSE.

IT IS LIKE BOBBY SAID, AND I'VE BEEN IN THE SAME SITUATION.

I'VE BEEN THE EDITOR OF SMALL TOWN NEWSPAPERS, AND YOU GO IN AND SAY GET AHEAD OF IT.

MAKE IT A ONE-DAY STORY.

I'VE DONE PUBLIC RELATION WHERE IS YOU GET AHEAD OF IT AND YOU MAKE IT A ONE-DAY STORY.

YOU DON'T LET IT BLEED LIKE THIS.

>> IS SHE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR?

>> HMM WELL, I THINK SO.

I THINK SO.

I THINK--FORCING HER OUT LIKE BOB SAID, RECALL IS HARD.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS TOO DIFFICULT.

I THINK--I DON'T SEE HER LEAVING.

>> IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO FORCE HER OUT.

THE ONLY REASON SHE LEAVES IS IF SHE CAN'T RECOVER FROM HER ALCOHOLISM.

IF SHE CAN'T, THEN SHE HAS TO LEAVE.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD POINT.

IF THE PERSONAL ISSUES GET TOO MUCH.

>> AND DON'T FORGET THERE IS FAMILY INVOLVED AS WELL.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

GREAT CONVERSATION.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF OUR ON ARIZONA PBS ON CRONKITE NEWS, THE IMPACT OF MARCH MADNESS ON SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE.

AND IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS SINCE THE PASSAGE OF TIGHT 9, BUT THE INEQUALITY BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE SPORTS STILL EXIST.