[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, IT'S A SPECIAL HOUR-LONG EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

WE'LL HEAR THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, AND THEN GET ANALYSIS OF THE SPEECH AND THE OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT'S IN THE NEXT HOUR OF ARIZONA PBS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL HOUR-LONG EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY TODAY DELIVERED HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS FOCUSED ON RESILIENCE IN A YEAR DOMINATED BY THINK COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALONG WITH CORRESPONDING POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TURMOIL.

HERE IS THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN USED TO DOING BUSINESS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, AND SO IT IS TODAY.

WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED OUR USUAL STATE OF THE STATE PROCEEDINGS, BUT IT WASN'T IN THE CARDS.

IF THERE'S AN UPSIDE TO THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT'S -- FOR THIS YEAR'S ADDRESS, WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER WATCHING US LIVE ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT WAS LOST IN CEREMONY, WE HAVE GAINED IN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT.

I'M GLAD TO HAVE SO MANY ARIZONANS LISTENING, BECAUSE THERE'S MUCH TO REPORT.

ON FRIDAY, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WITH ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

I WANT TO THANK SPEAKER RUSTY BOWERS, PRESIDENT KAREN PHAN AND THE OTHERS.

OUR MEETING WITH IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE VIOLENT UPRISING IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

IT WAS A SICKENING DAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT NO AMERICAN WILL FORGET.

VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM HAVE NO PLACE IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

PERPETRATORS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.

LET US CONDEMN IT AND RESOLVE THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

WITH THAT IN MIND, LET US TREAT EACH OTHER THIS YEAR AS ONE OF OUR NATION'S GREATEST PRESIDENT'S ABRAHAM LINCOLN SUGGESTED WITH MALICE TOWARDS NONE WITH CHARITY FOR ALL, WITH FIRMNESS IN THE RIGHT AS GOD GIVES US TO SEE THE RIGHT.

LET US STRIVE ON TO FINISH THE WORK WE ARE IN.

AND ARIZONA WILL DO ITS PART TO BIND UP THE NATION'S WOUNDS.

HERE WE WILL CONDUCT OURSELVES WITH INTHING GRETTY AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.

AS FOR ALL OUR WORK, ALL AGREE, THE PANDEMIC REMAINS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THREAT WE FACE, AND IT WILL REQUIRE VIGILANT ATTENTION FOR MONTHS TO COME.

THE RISK IS STILL SERIOUS.

AND SO IS THE PRESSURE ON OUR HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

EVEN SO, WE SHOULD TAKE ENCOURAGEMENT WHERE WE FIND IT.

STARTING WITH THE BREAK THROUGH THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING.

IF LAST YEAR WAS THE YEAR OF THE VIRUS, THIS YEAR WILL BE THE YEAR OF THE VACCINE.

2020 THREW A LOT AT US.

IT WAS A TIME WE'LL ALL REMEMBER, BUT NOT VERY FONDLY.

YET, IN A TIME OF TRIAL, LOSS, WORRY, AND DISRUPTION, WE KEPT OUR BEARINGS, AND NEVER LOST HEART.

IT'S BEEN ONE OF THOSE TURNS IN LIFE WHEN PERSEVERANCE MAKES ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE, WHEN WE HAD TO SHOW JUST HOW RESILIENT WE ARE.

WE HAVE ALSO HAD REMINDERS, AS IF ANY WERE NEEDED OF WHY MEDICINE AND NURSING ARE SO RESPECTED AMONG LIFE'S GREAT CALLINGS.

I THINK OF EDMOND BAKER, A DOCTOR AND ARMY VETERAN, WHO FOR YEARS HAS CARED FOR PATIENTS IN THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED PARTS OF ARIZONA.

LIKE SO MANY OTHER DOCTORS, HE STAYED ON CALL, AND HAS NEVER RELENTED SO THAT NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, OR WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU CAN GET THE CARE YOU NEED.

THEN THERE'S REGINA, A NURSAL VALLEY WISE HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER.

THE MISSION, SHE SAYS IS TRULY TO CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE.

IT HAS BEEN A TIME WHEN COVID PATIENTS CAN'T EVEN SEE THEIR FAMILIES, AND NURSES CAN FEEL LIKE THE ONLY FRIEND AT THEIR SIDE.

NURSE VIA IS ONE OF THE THOUSANDS WHO HAVE MET THIS CRISIS WITH COURAGE, GRACE, AND KINDNESS.

AND WE CAN NEVER OVERLOOK THE INCREDIBLE SERVICE OF THE ARIZONA NATIONAL GUARD.

CONSIDER JUST THE SINGLE EXAMPLE OF WILL SMITH.

A MEDIC WHO IN 2019 CAME HOME FROM DEPLOYMENT IN IRAQ, WITH THE PANDEMIC, WILL FOUND HIMSELF BACK IN A BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER, DELIVERING COVID TESTING KITS TO TRIBAL NATIONS.

THAT WAS WILL'S IDEA OF A BREAK FROM HIS REGULAR JOB AT SCOTTSDALE OSBORNE MEDICAL CENTER.

IN SO MANY WAYS, AN EXTREMELY TOUGH YEAR BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN US.

AND YET SOMETIMES, DESPITE ALL, OUR BEST WASN'T ENOUGH.

IT'S A VICIOUS VIRUS.

TAKING SOME 10,000 LIVES IN OUR STATE ALONE, AND HAS LEFT NOTHING BUT GRIEF IN ITS PATH.

WITH THE VACCINE, HOWEVER, WE AIM TO CUT OFF THAT PATH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE STARTED WITH VACCINATIONS OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES WE COUNT ON TO DELIVER IT FAR AND WIDE.

THE LIDGISTICS OF PUTTING THE VACCINE WITHIN REACH OF EVERYONE WILL BE COMPLEX AND DEMANDING, BUT ARIZONA IS GOING TO DO IT FAST.

WE ARE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT, AND I ASSURE YOU THAT WE'LL DO IT WITH A REAL SENSE OF URGENCY AND PURPOSE.

TODAY OUR STATE'S LARGEST COUNTY BEGINS VACCINATING TEACHERS AND COPS, AND WHILE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WORKING HARD, WE NEED TO WORK FASTER.

SO NOW, EVEN MORE RESOURCES WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE FORE.

AT MY DIRECTION, THE STATE HAS LAUNCHED A 24/7 VACCINATION SITE AT START FARM STADIUM, HOME OF THE ARIZONA CARDINALS.

EVERYONE NEEDS THIS VACCINE.

AND THE SOONER WE ALL RECEIVE IT, THE MORE QUICKLY WE CAN GET ON WITH LIFE AS IT SHOULD BE.

FROM THE VERY OUTSET OF COVID-19, THERE HAVE BEEN DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

AND IN MY 50-PLUS MEETINGS WITH THE PRESS, I HAVE HEARD ENDLESS VARIATIONS OF THE SAME QUESTION: WHY NOT MORE AND LONGER LOCKDOWNS?

WHY NOT MORE AGGRESSIVE LOCKDOWNS?

SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, PARKS, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, CHURCH SERVICES, WHY NOT BAN ALL GATHERINGS AND JUST LOOK EVERYTHING DOWN?

IT'S A QUESTION THAT ONLY MAKES SENSE IF YOU FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

ALL OF THE OTHER TROUBLES THAT LOCKDOWNS SET IN MOTION.

THE LES OF LIFE DOESN'T STOP IN A PANDEMIC.

LEAST OF ALL OUR BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES.

PEOPLE STILL HAVE BILLS TO PAY.

CHILDREN IN NEED OF SCHOOLING, BUSINESSES TO RUN, AND EMPLOYEES WHO DEPEND ON THEM.

THERE ARE LOTS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF REMOTE WORK, AND DON'T RECEIVE UNINTERRUPTED DIRECT DEPOSITS.

TO MAKE A LIVING, THEY HAVE TO SHOW UP SOMEWHERE, AND IF THE DOORS ARE CLOSED, THEN AT A CERTAIN POINT, THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO OPEN AGAIN.

IF WE'RE REALLY ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, THEN WE HAVE TO APPRECIATE THAT FOR MANY FAMILIES, LOCKDOWN DOESN'T SPELL INCONVENIENCE, IT SPELLS CATASTROPHE.

ZERO INCOME.

INABILITY TO MAKE A PAYMENT.

EVICTION.

FORECLOSURE.

AND REAL PERSONNEL ANGUISH.

OFTEN THESE PAST TEN MONTHS, LIKEWISE, I MET IN THIS OFFICE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS, WHO WERE DESCRIBING THE BROADER IMPACTS OF COVID-19.

BEYOND THE DISEASE ITSELF, OPIOID ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THE SHEER LONELINESS OF ISOLATION.

SUICIDE.

THERE HAS BEEN NO DAILY COUNT OF THESE HUMAN COSTS, BUT THEY ARE REAL, AND THEY ARE DEVASTATING.

AND EXTREME MEASURES BY WELL-INTENTIONED PEOPLE HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT ACTUALLY DO FAR MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

WE NEVER DID A LOCKDOWN IN ARIZONA.

WE WERE TARGETED AND THOUGHTFUL, SO SOME HAVE ASKED, WHY NOT END THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY?

IT'S SIMPLE.

BECAUSE WE ARE IN A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

I HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED BY THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

I'M NOT GOING TO HAND OVER THE KEYS TO A SMALL GROUP OF MAYORS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED EVERY INTENTION OF LOCKING DOWN THEIR CITIES, AND BY THE WAY, LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE OTHER STATES THAT DID LOCKDOWN.

WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO SHOW FOR THEIR STRICT MANDATES AND ORDERS?

THEY ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE WORST OF IT, JUST AS WE ARE.

I'M WELL AWARE THAT TAKING THE MEASURED, STEADY, RESPONSIBLE APPROACH WILL CONTINUE TO INVITE CRITICISM FROM ALL DIRECTIONS THAT WE'RE DOING TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH.

THE PATH I HAVE OUTLINED IS THE RIGHT PATH FOR ARIZONA.

HERE IS THE SHORT OF IT.

ARIZONA HAS TAKEN THE MEASURED COURSE, AND ALL OF THE SAME STRENGTHS THAT CARRIED US THROUGH OUR WORST DAYS WILL CARRY US FORWARD.

ALL 50 STATES ARE FOCUSED NOW ON SAVING LIVES, DISTRIBUTING THE VACCINE, AND ADDING JOBS, AND IN MEETING THESE CHALLENGES, NO STATED IS BETTER PREPARED THAN ARIZONA.

IN THIS NEW SESSION, THE LEGISLATURE AND I HAVE SOME BIG PIECES OF BUSINESS TO COMPLETE, AND I'LL SOON BE SENDING THE DETAILS OF MY PROPOSALS FOR 2021, BUT TODAY, I KNOW MANY ARIZONANS ARE ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR KIDS AND ABOUT THEIR JOBS, SO LET ME BEGIN THERE.

IT HAS BEEN A SMALL MERCY OF THIS PANDEMIC THAT THE VIRUS IS LEAST LIKELY TO HARM OUR CHILDREN, ALL THOSE THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS.

OF COURSE THE TEACHERS ARE A DIFFERENT MATTER, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT TEACHERS RECEIVE THE VACCINE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

ACROSS OUR STATE, STUDENTS HAVE BEEN KEPT OUT OF THEIR CLASSROOMS FOR LONG ENOUGH.

THEY HAVE LOST OUT ON CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES THAT CAN'T BE DUPLICATED ON A COMPUTER SCREEN.

IN STRANGE, DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, PARENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE DONE THEIR RESOURCEFUL BEST, BUT IT'S TIME TO GET OUR STUDENTS BACK WHERE THEY BELONG, WITH EVERY PUBLIC-HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FROM DR. FAUCI AND THE CDC ON DOWN, SAYING THAT THE SAFEST PLACE FOR KIDS TO BE IS IN SCHOOL.

WE WILL NOT BE FUNDING EMPTY SEATS OR ALLOWING SCHOOLS TO REMAIN IN A PERPETUAL STATE OF CLOSURE.

CHILDREN STILL NEED TO LEARN EVEN IN A PANDEMIC.

BY NECESSITY, DURING THIS EMERGENCY, MANY PARENTS HAVE BEEN MORE ENGAGED THAN EVER IN THE DAILY EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN.

QUITE A FEW HAVE FOUND TEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS THEY WANT TO MAKE PERMANENT.

IT'S THEIR RIGHT.

PUBLIC POLICY SHOULD KEEP PACE AND EMPOWER THEM TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.

BUT STILL, OTHER KIDS HAVE FALLEN BEHIND.

THERE HAS BEEN SEVERE LEARNING LOSS.

KIDS HAVE MISSED OUT ON SO MUCH.

SO LET'S PUT OUR RESOURCES ON GETTING THEM CAUGHT UP.

BEFORE COVID-19 WE HAD AN ACHIEVEMENT GAP IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

IT IS A PROBLEM DETAILED IN A REPORT JUST LAST WEEK FROM ONE OF THE STATE'S LEADING BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS WITH DATA SHOWING THE GAP IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OFTEN FALLING SQUARELY DOWN ECONOMIC AND RACIAL LINES.

DISTANCE LEARNING HAS NOT BEEN GOOD FOR THESE STUDENTS WHO OFTEN DON'T HAVE WIFI OR LAPTOP AVAILABLE, SO STARTING NOW, LET'S DIRECT RESOURCES TO HELPING THESE CHILDREN CATCH UP.

SUMMER SCHOOL, LONGER SCHOOL DAYS, ONE ON ONE TARGETED INSTRUCTION, TUTORING.

IT SHOULD BE OUR GOAL THAT EVERY STUDENT GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL ON TIME AND AT GRADE LEVEL.

THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE EDUCATION INNOVATION FOR WHICH ARIZONA IS KNOWN.

AT THE HEART OF THAT MOVEMENT IS THE IDEA THAT EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND IS ENTITLED TO A GREAT EDUCATION AND ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WITH IT.

OUR INDEPEND ANT SPIRIT IS ONE REASON WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO ARIZONA.

FOR AMERICANS TIRED OF LIVING IN STATES WITH HIGH TAXES, HEAVY REGULATION, LOW GROWTH, AND FADING OPPORTUNITY, ARIZONA HAS BECOME THE DESTINATION, AND THEY ARE STILL COMING TO ARIZONA IN 2021, BECAUSE DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE NEVER TOOK OUR SMALL BUSINESSES OR THEIR WORKERS FOR GRANTED.

AS BAD AS THINGS GOT, WE'RE RECOVERING FAST.

NEW BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED BY THE THOUSANDS.

AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE WERE AHEAD OF 45 OTHER STATES IN JOB CREATION AND PERSONAL INCOME GROWTH.

TODAY, WE'RE STILL TOP FIVE, BUT SOME ARIZONANS ARE STRUGGLING, AND IT HAS GOT TO OUR PRIORITY TO HELP THEM WITH A GROWING ECONOMY AND MORE JOBS.

EVERY YEAR I HAVE BEEN GOVERNOR, WE HAVE IMPROVED INCOME TAXES IN THE TAXPAYERS' FAVOR.

WE HAVE SIMPLIFIED THE CODE.

LOWERS ALL RATES, PROTECTED THEM AGAINST INFLATION, AND ELIMINATED AN ENTIRE TAX BRAB KET.

AND WE HAVE PROVEN THAT OUR GOVERNMENT CAN FULFILL EVERY OBLIGATION AND ANSWER THE UNEXPECTED NEEDS OF A GROWING STATE WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

MY GOAL HAS BEEN TO MAKE ARIZONA THE BEST PLACE IN AMERICA TO LIVE, WORK, AND DO BUSINESS.

BY LETTING ARIZONANS KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY, AND HAVING COME THIS FAR AS OTHER STATES CHASE AWAY OPPORTUNITY WITH THEIR NEW TAXES, WHY ON EARTH WOULD WE EVER WANT TO FOLLOW THEIR FAILED AND DEPRESSING EXAMPLE?

SO I PROPOSE IN THIS SESSION, WE WORK TOGETHER TO REFORM AND LOWER TAXES AND PRESERVE ARIZONA'S GOOD NAME AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMPETITIVE STATE.

ON TAX REFORM, LET'S THINK BIG.

IN THE COMING WEEKS, LEGISLATORINGS AND I WILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO TALK OVER.

THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT ON COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTION, SO THAT A STATE-WIDE EMERGENCY DOESN'T LINE THE POCKETS OF TRIAL ATTORNEYS WITH FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS.

THERE IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GAMING CONTRACT.

AND LET'S WORK ON BROADBAND EXPANSE, BETTER ROADS AND BRIDGES, CONTINUING TO BE A GLOBAL LEADER IN WATER CONSERVATION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, AND GUARDING AGAINST WILDFIRES, SO WE STAY ON TOP OF THAT EVER-PRESENT RISK.

WITH REMOTE LEARNING BY MANY STATE EMPLOYEES, WE ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO FURTHER LIMIT THE SIZE, COST, AND FOOTPRINT OF GOVERNMENT.

LET'S TRULY SHRINK GOVERNMENT BY ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY STATE BUILDINGS AND SAVING TAX DOLLARS, SO WE CAN PRIORITIZE AREAS OF NEED, LIKE EDUCATIONS OUR KIDS, TAKING CARE OF OUR SICK, AND KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE.

WE CAN COMPLETE ALL OF THIS AND MORE IN 2021, AND I AM READY.

OUR WHOLE STATE IS READY TO GET BACK ON A RISING PATH.

THROUGH THE TRIALS OF 2020, WE HAVE KEPT OUR BALANCE.

WE MET EVERY TEST.

AND EVEN IN AN ELECTION YEAR, WE SLOWED THE BEST OF OUR STATE'S BIPARTISAN TRADITION.

IF ARIZONANS ARE LOOKING TO THIS YEAR WITH A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND OPTIMISM, IT IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE WITNESSED THE STRENGTH OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS.

DESPITE EVERYTHING, 2020 THREW AT US IN THE FACE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, EVERY DAY ARIZONANS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE TRUE STATE OF OUR STATE FROM OUR FRONT LINE MEDICAL WORKERS, TEACHERS, MOMS AND DADS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIRST RESPONDERS, SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE, ELECTION DAY WORKERS, GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEES, AND NATIONAL GUARD, WE HAVE SEEN HEROISM, SACRIFICE, SERVICE, AND ACTS OF KINDNESS LARGE AND SMALL.

THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS NOT ONLY STRONG, IT IS RESILIENT, SO LET US ACT IN THAT SPIRIT.

WE MUST BE HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE, BUT WE CANNOT FORGET THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN THE IMMEDIATE.

THE NURSES AND DOCTORS, TIRED AND EXHAUSTED, AS THEY WORK OVERTIME TO SAVE LIVES.

THE ARIZONANS WHO ARE GRIEVING, LOVED ONES LOST.

WE MUST ALL DO OUR PART BY DOING WHAT WE KNOW WORKS, FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTH, WEARING A MASK, AND PRACTICING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WITH RESILIENCE AND COMPASSION, WE MOVE FORWARD, ALLOWING NOTHING TO GET IN OUR WAY, AND SHOWING IN THE END THE BEST KIND OF UNITY THERE IS.

THE UNITY OF CARING ABOUT ONE ANOTHER.

THANKS FOR LISTENING, AND GOD BLESS.

>>> WE MOVE NOW TO ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FROM WHO PROMINENT POLITICAL CONSULTANTS.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

CARL, WE'LL START WITH YOU, THE MOOD OF THE VIRTUAL ADDRESS, DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, YES, YOU COULD SAY IT WAS DIFFERENT.

OF COURSE, WE EXPECTED IT TO BE SO BECAUSE OF HOW WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY IN THIS DIFFERENT WORLD WITH COVID, SO I THINK THIS IS THE VERY FIRST VIRTUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS GIVEN, SO WE EXPECTED THINGS TO BE DIFFERENT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH, I EXPECTED THE GOVERNOR TO REALLY BE A LOT MORE DECISIVE IN HIS VOICE, BUT HE WAS UNFORTUNATELY MORE LONG ON PLATITUDE THAN POLICY ISSUES, AND I KNOW HE SAID THERE IS MORE TO COME, AND THAT'S THE RESULT OF THE WAY THE STATE OF THE STATE IS BEING DELIVERED, BUT I EXPECTED A LITTLE BIT MORE OUT OF WHAT I HEARD.

I DIDN'T HEAR THE ONE BIG THING IN THE ROOM -- OF COURSE, OBVIOUSLY HE TALKED ABOUT COVID, BUT WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT HIS -- ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY OR VOTER SUPPRESSION OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON IN THIS STATE, AND UNFORTUNATELY ARIZONA'S LEADING VOICE IN THIS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS I THINK HE COULD HAVE ADDRESSED BUT HE CHOICE, I THINK, TO PUNT.

>> YEAH, I WANT TO GET TO SOME OF THOSE ISSUES?

A SECOND HERE.

BUT CHUCK, USUALLY YOU HAVE APPLAUSE, HOW DID THAT CHANGE THE WAY THE GOVERNOR ADDRESSED THE STATE?

>> YEAH, YOU ALSO HAVE THE GUY ON THE BALCONY, AND EVERYBODY TURNS AROUND TO APPLAUSE, BUT, YEAH, IT WAS SORT OF SOLITARY, WHICH IS REFLECTIVE OF THE DISTANT VIRTUAL WORLD WE LIVE IN, AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH, YOU KNOW, PERSONALITY OR CHARISMA THAT IS GOING TO COME THROUGH, AS YOU SAID, TED, WARMTH OF BODIES GETTING TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL MISSING, WE'RE MISSING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE THAT ONE ON ONE INTERACTION.

>> CHUCK, RESILIENCE WAS THE FOCUS HERE.

TALKING ABOUT TAKING ENCOURAGEMENT WHERE WE FIND IT, AND EVERYBODY HAS BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN US, BUT STILL, OUR BEST WASN'T ENOUGH.

DOES EVERYONE AGREE, ESPECIALLY AT THE CAPITOL THAT WE HAVE HANDLED THIS THE BEST WE COULD, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

>> I'M GOING TO SAY, THAT MAYBE 2020 BROUGHT OUT THE WORST IN US, AND EXPOSED SOME OF OUR WORST FLAWS IN THE PEOPLE.

I KNOW AS A GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

HE DID QUOTE LINCOLN IN THE SPEECH, AND SO THAT WAS THE PERSON HE WENT TO, WHICH WAS A VERY ASPIRATIONAL FIGURE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT -- NO, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

I CAN'T AGREE THAT 2020 BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN US.

IT CERTAINLY BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN OUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND SOME SECTORS OF OUR STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PUBLIC LAW ENFORCEMENT FIGURES, OUR NATIONAL GUARD FOLKS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOUR GOVERNOR -- YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER -- YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER BEING CALLED DOWN WHEN GOVERNOR BREWER AROUND THE ANNIVERSARY OF GABBY'S SHOOTING, I WAS AT A BASKETBALL GAME AND I WAS TOLD I HAD TO GET DOWN THERE, WE HAD TO REWRITE THE -- SPEECH.

SO I THINK HE'S JUST TRYING TO INJECT SOME PUBLIC OPTIMISM INTO THE DISCUSSION.

>> YEAH, AND CARL, AGAIN, WE'RE PLAYING TOUCH AND GO WITH BEING A HOT SPOT IN THE WORLD WITH COVID-19.

THE BEST WE CAN DO?

>> WE'RE NOT PLAYING TOUCH AND GO, WE ARE.

AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE.

THERE ARE SOME REALLY FUNDAMENTAL THINGS THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT OURSELVES FROM GETTING HERE.

I KNOW FORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T EARLY ON, AND SO NOW WE'RE PAYING THE PRICE, SO WE NEED SOME REAL BOLD ACTION TO TRY TO REVERSE COURSE A BIT, RIGHT?

WE WISH WE COULD WAVE THE MAGIC WAND, AND TAKE THIS GO AWAY.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF MASK MANDATE, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT.

THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE IS OF COURSE ARIZONA IS -- AS YOU QUOTE, A RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM DOESN'T ALLOW GOVERNOR DUCEY TO DO THAT.

AND THERE IS A PUSH TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE FREEDOMS THAT THEY ENJOY HERE, BUT AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> TO THAT POINT, I MEAN, I KNOW HE SAID IN HIS SPEECH TODAY, MAYORS CALLING FOR THAT.

AND WHAT HE POINTS TO IS THAT -- IF PEOPLE WON'T COMPLY -- THAT'S WHAT I WAS TALKING TO YOU EARLIER, TED, IT'S EXPOING THINGS ABOUT SETS OF PEOPLE THAT HE RECOGNIZES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SERIES -- AS WE SAW LAST WEEK, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A REBELLIOUS MOOD AMONGST THE ELECTORATE, AND WE SAW THIS SUMMER DURING THE SOCIAL UNREST, AND YOU WONDER AT WHAT POINT PEOPLE REFUSE TO RESPOND TO AUTHORITY EVEN IF ISSUED.

YOU KNOW, IT'S COMMON SENSE, YOU KNOW, PUT ON A MASK.

LIMIT YOUR SOCIAL GROUPS.

LIMIT THE PEOPLE, AND I'M NOT A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, BUT WE'RE ALSO A HOT SPOT BECAUSE WE HAD THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS, AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO ARIZONA DURING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS.

AND IT'S PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD, FRANKLY THAT HAVE BEEN COMING HERE.

>> GO AHEAD, CARL.

>> MASKS ARE ONE THING, OKAY?

AND WE HAVE ALL HAD THAT CONVERSATION EXTENSIVELY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.

FOR INSTANCE, THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO LIMIT THE LARGE GATHERINGS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

I KNOW DIFFERENT CITIES ARE TAKING STEPS TO TOP LARGE ORGANIZED EVENTS.

I THINK YOU CAN LOOK BEYOND THAT AND REALLY DECIDE, HOW DO WE MOVE OURSELVES OFF OF THE TOP?

BECAUSE IF WE TAKE AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, A MEASURED APPROACH, AND TYPICALLY I'M A FAIRLY MEASURED GUY, BUT I THINK WE NEED MORE THAN A MEASURED APPROACH HERE, BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

>> AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID REGARDING LOCKDOWNS, THE TROUBLE IS LOCKDOWNS SET IN MOTION HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT DO FAR MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

IS HE SAYING THAT A MASK REQUIREMENT OR LOCKDOWN WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN THE MANY DEATHS OF SICKNESSES -- >> WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLY THIS SUMMER IN JUNE OR JULY WHEN THERE WAS A LOCKDOWN.

I THINK HE IS REFERRING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECTS, THE ISOLATION, THE HARM IT DOES TO THE ECONOMY, WE SAW IT PLUMMET, AND HARM TO PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST ON THE EDGE OF ECONOMIC SURVIVAL.

THOSE ARE ALL -- WE OBVIOUSLY ARE AWARE, BECAUSE WE'RE COUNTING EVERY DAY THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF COVID, OF THE NUMBER OF SICK -- ILLNESSES, THE MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND KIDS LOSING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.

IT HAS A SOCIETY-WIDE IMPACT THAT IS MEASURED IN MORE THAN JUST ININFECTIONS AND DEATHS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT HE IS REFERRING TO.

>> GO AHEAD, CARL.

>> I'LL GIVE A QUICK ANECDOTE.

I HAD A FRIEND THAT WAS ADMITTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OVER THE HOLIDAYS, AND IT TOOK HIM 36 HOURS TO GET OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND HE WAS IN FOR A NON-COVID ISSUE.

SO THE APPROACH I DON'T THINK IS QUITE WHAT THIS STATE NEEDS.

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP OR TWO FORWARD TO ADVANCE OUR EFFORTS TO CURVE THIS THING.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID FOR MANY LOCKDOWN SPELLED CATASTROPHE.

AND COMPARED ARIZONA TO OTHER STATES THAT HAD LOCKDOWN, AND IT SOUNDEDS LIKE ARIZONA WAS DOING JUST AS WELL OR MAYBE EVEN BETTER.

ARE YOU BUYING THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS ANYTHING YOU SHOULD BRAG ABOUT.

LOOK, EVERY STATE IS DIFFERENT.

EVERYBODY'S POPULATION IS DIFFERENT.

WE NEED TO TAKE AN APPROACH THAT WORKS FOR ARIZONA, SO WE CAN'T TAKE THE CALIFORNIA OR NEW YORK, OR NOVEMBER NOVEMBER APPROACH.

WE HAVE TO TAKE THE ARIZONA APPROACH.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW, AND THAT IS A REAL CONCERN, BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IS THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS, AS CHUCK SAID, BROUGHT OUT, UNFORTUNATELY THE WORST IN US, AND ALSO EXPOSED SOME OF THE REALLY REAL CHALLENGES THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE SURFACE.

THE HEALTHCARE INEQUITIES OF PEOPLE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, AND ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WHERE PEOPLE ARE JUST BARELY MAKING IT AND NOW AGAIN, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND IS PRETTY MUCH DEPLETED.

SO THERE THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN AND CAN HAPPEN TO HELP THOSE FOLKS ALONG THE WAY.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BURDEN OUR HEALTHCARE BRO -- PROFESSIONALS ARE UNDER, AND THAT'S REALLY CONCERNING, THE EXHAUSTION OF OUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, BUT CARL IS ALSO RIGHT -- AND THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE EDUCATION PORTION OF HIS SPEECH ABOUT THE EQUITY ISSUES, ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE LITERALLY BEING LEFT BEHIND.

AND HE DID SPEAK ABOUT TUTORING, SUMMER SCHOOL, PROVIDING RESOURCES, AND I THOUGHT THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT PORTIONS OF OUR POPULATION ARE GOING TO BE UNDULY HARMED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AND MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HE COULD POLISH AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN TERMS OF CREATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THOSE FAMILIES AND KIDS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CATCH UP, FOR WHATEVER VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT IT REALLY DOES SPEAK TO THE LONGER-TERM ISSUE TOO.

AND WE HAVE DONE POLLING ON THAT, THAT -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE PREFER THE POVERTY WAY.

BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE MORE WE PUT INTO SOME SCHOOLS THAT ARE UNDERFUNDED, THE BETTER THOSE SCHOOLS WILL PERFORM.

AS MY PASTOR SAID ON SUNDAY, WE GO THROUGH THE CRISES AND RECENT THEM.

BUT AT SOME POINT MAYBE THERE IS A LESSON THAT WE SHOULD APPLY BROADLY.

>> YOU MENTIONED LONGER SCHOOL DAYS, AND ONE ON ONE SCHOOLING.

HE ALSO SAID WE WILL NOT BE FUNDING EMPTY SEATS, AND I WOULD IMAGINE TEACHERS ARE HEARING THIS, AND SAYING, YEAH, WHAT ABOUT US?

>> WELL, YEAH, AND THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT CONCERNING, WHEN HE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO FUND EMPTY SEATS.

SCHOOLS ARE EMPTY NOT BECAUSE OF ANY FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

THEY ARE EMPTY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO I THINK THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO PENALIZE SCHOOLS FOR NOT HAVING KIDS IN THEIR SEATS.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE SCHOOLS ARE NOT PENALIZED IN THE LONG RUN, BECAUSE THEY ARE FINDING DIFFERENT WAYS TO KEEP GOING.

BUT AS WE TALK ABOUT TEACHERS, WE HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE NOW, AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREATER SHORTAGE AS WE COME OUT OF THIS, BECAUSE I THINK THERE WILL ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF TEACHERS THAT ARE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T COPE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

AND A LOT OF IT IS HEALTH RELATED, OF COURSE.

AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROTECTED, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO AND MAKE SURE THE GOVERNOR DOES WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO, WHICH IS NOT HOLD SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT HAVING THOSE KIDS IN THOSE SEATS.

>> I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEBATE, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THEY DO, DO A DAY COUNT THAT THEY GET FUNDED BASED ON HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN THE CLASSROOM ON THIS DAY.

AND SO IT IS TROUBLING.

AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

BUT WHAT HE ALLUDED TOE WAS THE OTHER WAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT OUT TO TEACH THEIR KIDS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

MY READING OF THAT IS THAT HE IS SAYING I DON'T WANT TO FUND SEATS OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE MADE THE PERMANENT DECISION NOT TO HAVE THEIR KIDS IN THAT SCHOOL AGAIN IF THEY ARE ONLINE OR BEING TAUGHT AT HOME, THEN THAT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING -- BUT THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE GIVE AND TAKE ON BOTH SIDES.

THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A DEEP DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUNDING FORMULA, AND ONE-SEAT MAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS, I HAVE GOT TO BELIEF THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CARL, I THINK YOU REFERRED TO THIS QUICKLY EARLIER.

CHANGES TO ELECTION LAW, AND EXECUTIVE POWER, THESE ARE CHANGES THAT WILL NO DOUBT COME UP THIS SESSION IF IT'S A REGULAR-SIZE.

WE KNOW REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE VERY INTERESTED IN CUTTING BACK THE GOVERNOR'S POWER AND CHANGING STATE ELECTION.

WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT THEY GOT LITTLE IF ANY MENTION?

>> I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A DIRECT MENTION OF THAT ISSUE.

BECAUSE ARIZONA HAS BEEN AT THE VERY FOREFRONT OF THE ELECTION CONVERSATION AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND IN FACT, ARIZONA POPPED UP NATIONALLY IN THE CONVERSATION TO START OFF THE DIALOGUE THERE, AND SO I WAS VERY SURPRISED.

YOU KNOW, WHAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF IS THIS ELECTION INTEGRITY ISSUE STARTS TO DOMINATE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND THERE ARE SOME REALLY -- YOU KNOW, SOME HARD-BENT PEOPLE DOWN AT THE LEGISLATURE THAT WANT TO SEE SOME THINGS CHANGE AND PUT SOME THINGS IN PLACE THAT LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S POWER, AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT OVERTAKE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA DOWN AT THE CAPITOL WHEN IN FACT PEOPLE REALLY NEED SUPPORT TO CONTINUE THEIR LIVELIHOODS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

SO I WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF I DIDN'T SEE PUSHBACK FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AS WELL TO TRY TO LIMIT OR CURVE SOME OF THAT.

>> I'M WITH -- WE PUT BETS ON AT THE OFFICE ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS ISSUE WOULD COME UP.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A RELATIVELY EASY ROLL OF THE DICE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SAY ARIZONA HAS A HISTORY OF RUNNING ELECTIONS WELL.

HE SAID THAT, AND IT'S TRUE.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT SINCE 1992, AND HAVE BEEN RUNNING ABABSENTEE BALLOT PROGRAM SINCE THAT TIME, AND WE DO IT REALLY WELL.

I KNOW OUR COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY AND THE STATE -- I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT THAT WOULD BE MENTIONED.

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR ELECTIONS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LEGISLATION WHERE THE BALLOTS THAT GET DROPPED OFF GET SCANNED THAT NIGHT, SO WE KNOW HOW MANY ARE THERE.

IT WOULD BE NICED TO HAVE THEM SCANNED IN -- NOT COUNTED, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO VERIFY THE SIGNATURES, BUT I THINK THERE ARE THINGS LIKE THAT THAT YOU COULD DO THAT WOULD HAVE COME OUT IN THIS DISCUSSION.

>> YEAH, AND ANOTHER THING THAT WAS BARELY MENTIONED EXPECT FOR THE IDEA OF REFORMING TAXES, THE BUDGET.

DID I MISS SOMETHING ABOUT THE BUDGET, CARL?

>> NO, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

I DON'T THINK I HEARD THE WORD BUDGET IN THE WHOLE CONVERSATION, SO I THINK THAT WAS AN INTENTIONAL EFFORT THAT HE IS GOING TO PRESENT SOME BUDGET PROPOSALS BEFORE THE END OF THIS WEEK AS I UNDERSTAND IT, BUT CLEARLY HE WANTED TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, TO REMIND PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF GOVERNOR HE IS, WHICH IS LOWER TAXES, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, LESS REGULATION, ARIZONA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS, AND HE HAS BEEN SAYING THAT EXACT SAME MESSAGE FOR FIVE YEARS NOW, I BELIEVE.

BUT I THINK WE NEEDED MORE -- WE NEEDED MORE ABOUT -- LIKE WE SAID, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS, AND CHUCK IS RIGHT, ARIZONA HAS BEEN DOING THIS REALLY WELL FOR A LONG TIME, AND I DON'T RECALL ANY OTHER YEAR THAT THERE IS SUCH A VISCERAL ASSAULT ON OUR ELECTION PROCESS HERE IN ARIZONA, IN FACT I DON'T THINK THERE HAS EVER BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT VOTER FRAUD IN ARIZONA OF THIS DEGREE.

OF COURSE, ARIZONA USED TO BE ONE OF THE STATES THAT HAD TO HAVE PRECLEARANCE TO MAKE ANY VOTER CHANGES, BUT IN FACT I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF DIALOGUE IN THIS ROLE, THIS RESPONSE TO OUR ELECTIONS, IN MY LIFETIME.

>> YEAH, NOT IN MY LIFETIME.

AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT REALLY WELL.

BACK TO THE DETAILS OF THE SUGGEST, SO -- FORMALITY.

HE COMES OUT WITH A BUDGET ON FRIDAY.

HE IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO TIP A LOT OF HIS HAND BECAUSE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED SLIM MAJORITY HE HAS IN THE BODY.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A FLUID DOCUMENT, AND IT WILL BE SOMETHING WHETHER DEMOCRATS FOR THE FIRST TIME MAY GET A SAY IN THIS, PARTICULARLY IF THOSE IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ARE ALSO CHALLENGING ON HIM, CHOOSE NOT TO WORK WITH HIM.

THE GOVERNOR IS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF HIS TERM.

I REMEMBER WORKING FOR OTHER GOVERNORS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF THEIR TERM, AND THE BIG MOTIVATING FORCE WAS LET'S GET THE LEGISLATURE OUT OF HERE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SO IT REALLY DOESN'T PROMOTE HEADLINES THAT ARE HELPFUL TO AN INCUMBENT GOVERNOR, SO I THINK WE'LL UNVEIL A BUDGET, AND HE DID SAY THAT HE MET WITH BOTH LEADERSHIPS -- AND THAT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT -- >> RIGHT.

>> -- I REMEMBER TALKING TO A SENATE MAJORITY WLIP IN THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION WHO SAID SHE HAD NEVER MET HIM.

SO HE IS ACKNOWLEDGING THE FRACTURES IN THE BODY AND THE ROLE THAT MANY MAY OR MAY NOT PLAY.

>> YEAH, I WANT TO GET TO THAT RELATIONSHIP IN A SECOND, BUT CARL, BACK TO YOU, OTHER ISSUES THAT WERE MENTIONED -- AND I'M SIZE MENTIONED -- CRIMINAL JUSTICE WAS NOT PART OF THE LIST.

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

CONSIDERING HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THOUGH DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

>> WELL, IT IS.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO TAKE PLACE, BUT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT I THOUGHT NEED TO BE MENTIONED LIKE RENTEDERS, OR RENTERS' INSURANCE, AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ISSUES -- WE'RE ONE OF THE LOW ESTATES IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR OUR PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.

AND HE DID -- I THINK HE DID TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LIABILITY REFORM.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S AN AWFUL LOTS OF NEED FOR ADDITIONAL LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR BUSINESSES, WHEN THERE ARE ALREADY ENOUGH IN PLACE, AND I THINK HE IS TRYING TO RAISE THE BAR TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO SUE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS -- THE ININTENDED CONSEQUENCES ON SOMETHING LINE THAT IS, PEOPLE CAN BE FORCED TO TO GO BACK TO WORK IN CONDITIONS THAT THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE IN, AND DO THEY HAVE RECOURSE?

PROBABLY NOT.

SO EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THEY FEEL SAFE IN.

>> SO THINK ABOUT THIS SPEECH ON A FIRST DATE.

HE HAS ONE-VOTE MAJORITY IN BOTH CHAMBERS, AND HE HAS GOT ABOUT A THIRD OF EACH CAUCUS IS TRUCULENTLY OPPOSED AND HAS QUESTIONED HIS AUTHORITY ON A SOMEBODY OF THINGS, SO I THOUGHT THE STRATEGY HERE TODAY WAS TO -- LESS IS MORE, BECAUSE IF YOU BOX YOURSELF IN, AND START SAYING WE NEED THIS, OR I NEED THIS, OR I WANT THAT, AS MOST -- I -- I FULLY ADMIT -- I HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPEN IN STATES -- I WORKED WITH GOVERNOR BREWER WHEN SHE DID THE MEDICATION RESTORATION, AND WE SAID WE WILL GET THIS, AND SHE GOT IT, BUT SHE HAS MUCH BIGGER MAJORITY, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS AT THAT POINT IN TIME, AND SO YOU WONDER IF IT'S HIS STRATEGY.

I GOT TO THINK THAT IT IS, IN TERMS OF SAYING LESS RIGHT NOW, OUTLINING -- AND BACK TO THE CONTACT ISSUE, THAT'S A HUGELY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE HERE, NOT OENL MOD -- ONLY MODERNIZING, BUT MOST OF THOSE SPORTS CONTACTS EXPIRE -- I BELIEVE THEY EXPIRE IN 25, SO THEY NEED TO BE RENEWED, AND THOSE ARE THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT GOVERN ALL GAMING IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA, AND I WOULD GUESS IT IS THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO WORK WITH A GOVERNOR THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE HERE, AND IF THEY CAN GET A DEAL TO RENEW THOSE CONTRACTS TO EXECUTE THAT WITH HIM, AND TAKE THAT JOINTLY TO THE BALLOT IN 2022.

>> YEAH.

CARL BACK TO THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR QUOTED LINCOLN, SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A SYCAMORE BRANCH OR OLIVE BRANCH, SOME SORTED OF BRANCH HE IS THROWING OUT THERE.

IS THIS GOING TO BE ROUGH WEATHER OUT THERE?

>> LOOK, IT'S PRETTY INTENSE RIGHT NOW.

PEOPLE ARE ANGRY, AND DEEPLY DIVIDED.

CHUCK DID SAY, OF COURSE, CORRECTLY, THAT A VERY SLIM MAJORITY OF THAT BID -- THE REPUBLICANS HAVE AT THE LEGISLATURE, SO THAT MEANS THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LOT MORE COMPROMISE, BECAUSE ONE OR TWO REPUBLICANS JUMP SHIP AND THINGS DIE ON THE LIMB IF YOU WILL, FOR -- FOR -- FOR THEIR -- THEIR -- WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, SO I THINK THE CHALLENGE THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE IS THAT HOW DO THEY EXTEND THE OLIVE BRANCH, MEND THE FENCES THAT HAVE BEEN BROKEN HERE, AND FIND COMMON GROUND ON THE BIG ISSUES THAT THEY WANT TO BASS.

SO THAT WILL BE THE INTERESTING ISSUE.

AND THERE IS A VERY SLIM MAJORITY IN BOTH OF THE HOUSES, RIGHT, HOUSE AND SENATE?

AND 2022 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT SOME WINS, BUT IT IS GOING TO COST THEM.

BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURES KNOW NOW THAT THEY CAN'T JUST PUT THEIR NAME ON A PIECE OF PAPER, PUT AN R BEHIND IT AND WIN.

THEY REALLY HAVE TO COME UP WITH REAL GOOD LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO BACK, AND ACTUALLY -- AND MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE, AGAIN, IF ONE OR TWO DROP OUT, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE WHAT THEY WANT.

>> THAT DRAMA UNFOLDED EVEN TODAY.

OVER THE WEEKEND THERE WAS A DEBATE ABOUT ONE NEW FRESHMAN MEMBER WHO IS GOING TO HAVE HIS MOMENT AND SAY I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THE SPEAKER?

WELL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

THAT MEANS THEN IT IS AN OPEN GAME, AND YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE BOOK WITH THEM FORCED TO SIDE ON DAY ONE WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

AND SO LIKE -- LIKE CARL POINTED OUT, ON THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE, I EXPECT THERE WILL BE SOME PLAY THERE, SO LET'S LET SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE COME FORWARD, AND WORK WITH SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS, LET THEM COALESCE AROUND THOSE ISSUES, AND WORK THAT PROCESS AND SEE WHAT COMES FORWARD.

WITH THESE KINDS OF MAJORITY, THE IDEA THAT GETS PUSHED TO THE FRONT FIRST USUALLY FALLS.

HE DID GO FARTHER THAN HE WOULD IN TERMS OF THE BREADTH OF ISSUES THAT HE DISCUSSED, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, MY SQUAD IS LOOKING AT -- I THOUGHT A PRETTY SHORT SESSION.

WE'RE LOOKING AT GETTING THAT SKINNY SESSION DONE, GETTING THAT ADOPTED.

GOD FORBID WE HAVE A COVID OUTBREAK AND OUT ALL SHUTS DOWN.

EVERY DAY THAT EVERY REPUBLICAN IS NOT SITTING IN THEIR SEAT, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A SESSION, SO IF THEY CAN'T MUSTER EVERY SINGLE MEMBER ON EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE LEGISLATURE SESSION, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE THERE, AND SO IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS VERY POLITICAL DANCE UNFOLDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE GOT TO STOP IT RIGHT THERE.

IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING, OR COULD BE JUST AS BORING AS ALL GET OUT.

WHO COULD BE SURPRISED BY FLIG THESE DAYS.

GENTLEMEN GREAT INCITES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> THANK YOU, TED, TAKE CARE.

>>> AND A PROGRAMMING NOTE, WE WILL HAVE JUST 30 MINUTES OF LOCAL NEWS TOMORROW ON ARIZONA PBS STARTING WITH "ARIZONA HORIZON" AT 5:00, AND THEN THE "PBS NEWS HOUR" WILL START A HALF HOUR ONLY, SO WE CAN BRING YOU A SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY.

THAT IS TOMORROW, TUESDAY, JAN 12TH.

"ARIZONA HORIZON" AT 5:00, AND THE "PBS NEWS HOUR" AT 5:30.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M TED SIMONS.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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