>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, SECRETARY OF STATE ADRIAN FONTES JOINS US IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT A VARIETY OF ELECTION ISSUES.

AND WE'LL HEAR A REACTION TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT WANTING CHANGE AT THE STATE'S LANDMARK ACT.

THAT'S NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> THIS HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FRIENDS OF PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

A JUDGE HAS FOUND THAT RUNBACK VENDOR CONTRACTED TO HELP WITH MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTION BALLOTS IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECORD LAWS.

AS SO, THE JUDGE DISMISSED THIS BY ELECTION DENIERS TO GET ACCESS TO THE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING LAST YEAR'S BALLOTS.

IN THE RULING RELEASED TODAY, THE JUDGE DISMISSED THE CASE AFTER FINDING RUNBECK DID NOT PERFORM AN IMPORTANT GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION AND DIDN'T VERIFY SIGNATURES OR IN ANYWAY DETERMINE THE VALIDITY AND NOT IN POSSESSION OF ANY PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

THE PRO THE JUDGE RULED THAT CYBERNINJAS WAS IN POSSESSION WHEN IT WORKED FOR THE STATE SENATE ON, QUOTE, AN IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION.

>>> OTHER HEADLINES, ISRAEL AND HAMAS ARE REPORTEDLY CLOSE TO A DEAL AND THAT MEAN THE RELEASE OF SOME OF THE MORE THAN 100 HOSTAGES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN EXPRESSIONED OPTIMISM THAT SOMETHING WILL SOON GET DONE.

>> WE'RE NOW VERY CLOSE, VERY CLOSE AND COULD BRING HOSTAGES HOME VERY SOON, BUT I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE DETAILS OF SAYING THIS BECAUSE NOTHING IS DONE UNTIL IT'S DONE.

AND WE HAVE MORE TO SAY AND WE WILL, BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD AT THE MOMENT.

>> Ted: AT THIS HOUR, THE ISRAELI CABINET IS VOTING ON THE DEAL WHICH WOULD ALSO INCLUDE ISRAEL RELEASING SOME PALESTINIAN PRISONERS DURING WHAT WOULD BE FOUR TO FIVE-DAY PAUSE IN THE WAR.

FOR NOW, THE WAR GOES ON, THOUGH, WITH MULTIPLE LARGE EXPLOSIONS SEEN IN NORTHERN GAZA WHERE ISRAEL CONTINUES MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST HAMAS.

IN PAST CONFLICTS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS, THE FIGHTING HAS INCREASED IN THE FINAL STRETCH BEFORE A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES.

>> A NEW STUDY SHOWS ARIZONA IS THE LEAST GENEROUS STATE IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF CHARITABLE DONATIONS.

ARIZONA REPUBLIC SAYS IT WAS BY WALLETHUB.COM AND WHILE ARIZONA HAS TAX CREDITS TO ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING, THE STATE HAS ONE OF THE FEWEST CHARITIES WITH PEOPLE DONATING AND COLLECTING FOOD.

THE U.S.

OVERALL IS THE THIRD MOST GENEROUS COUNTRY WITH UTAH, IWYOMING AND UTAH AS THE TOP THREE MOST CHARITABLE STATES.

>>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS A CHIEF ELECTION'S OFFICER IN ARIZONA AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES GETTING THE ATTENTION OF ADRIAN FONTES AND JOINS US IS ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE, ADRIAN FONTES.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME BACK, TED.

>> Ted: SOME OF THESE PARTIES, I'M CONFUSED WITH WHAT THEY ARE, BUT THEY'RE MAKING THE NEWS AND THE PATRIOT PARTY TRIED TO GET ON THE BALLOT AND DIDN'T MAKE IT.

>> WE HAVE AN EASY WAY TO GET ONTO THE BALLOT.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE TRYING AND THE PATRIOT PARTY DID NOT MEET THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD UNDER THE FORMULA REQUIRED BY LAW FOR US TO ASCERTAIN AND SO THEY MISSED THE NUMBER OF NECESSARY SIGNATURES TO GET ON AS A RECOGNIZED PARTY STATE-WIDE.

AND SO, WE DON'T HAVE A PATRIOT PARTY IN ARIZONA AND I ANTICIPATE THEY MAY TRY AGAIN.

>> Ted: A REPUBLICAN SAID YOU HANDLED PATRIOT PARTY DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU HANDLED THE NO-LABEL'S PARTY.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THE REPUBLICAN CONTENTION IS THAT IT WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR REPUBLICANS TO GET INFORMATION AND VET AND FIGURE OUT WHO THIS PATRIOT PARTY WAS THAN FOR DEMOCRATS TO GET INFORMATION AND THUS, PERHAPS, FIGHT THE NO-LABEL'S PARTY.

YOU BUYING THAT?

>> WELL, THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT IN THE WAY WE HANDLED IT, BUT I'M NOT BUYING THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS.

LOOK, THESE FOLKS -- THIS IS POLITICS, RIGHT, AND FOLKS WILL FIND ANYWAY TO CONFLATE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY FOLKS QUALIFY OR DON'T QUALIFY AND THE FIGHT SOMEBODY ELSE GOT TO HAVE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH SIGNATURES AND I GUESS THE PATRIOT PARTY DID THE REPUBLICAN'S JOB FOR THEM.

>> Ted: YOU SAID YOU CHANGED THE PROCESS OF THE PARTIES AND HOW SO IN.

>> THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT AND IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FACT WE SHIFTED STAFF.

FOLKS WERE A PART OF THE PROCESS DURING THE NO-LABEL'S TIME-FRAME THAT ENDED UP GOING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

NEW STAFF THAT TOOK THOSE JOBS BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE PATRIOT PARTY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESS AND IT WAS A MATTER OF NOTIFYING FOLKS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY BEEN YOU,, IT'S A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE.

WE CAN GO BACK TO THE HOBBS ADMINISTRATION AND WHAT THEY DID.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

I THINK WHAT'S THAT WHAT THE REPUBLICANS WANT US TO DO.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT DEMOCRACY AND FOLKS ARE ENGAGING IN THE PROCESS AND WANTING TO GET ENGAGED THAT ARE NEW AND EXCITING FOR ARIZONA.

THIS INCREASES THE CONVERSATION.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE INTERESTED IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

WE'RE NOT REALLY INTERESTED IN THE POLITICS.

WE'LL LEAVE THAT TO THE FOLKS AFTER THEY QUALIFY, BUT AMERICANS HAVE RIGHTS AND WE WANT TO PRESERVE THOSE RIGHTS AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICAL OUTCOME.

>> Ted: REPUBLICANS SAY YOU BLOCK THE REPUBLICANS FROM THE OBSERVING PROCESS.

WHEN IT CAME TO SOMETHING THAT COULD RIVAL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY -- AND GRANTED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS MOOT, BUT YOU BLOCKED THE OBSERVING PROCESS.

>> SURE.

THEY'LL SAY ALL KINDS OF THINGS AND CHARACTERIZE IT THE WAY THEY WANT TO.

THAT'S WHAT AN OPPOSING PARTY -- LOOK, I'M A DEMOCRAT AND SAY ANYTHING I DO BLOCKS THEM FROM SOMETHING, DENIES THEM THEIR RIGHTS AND THAT'S THE POLITICAL PARTY'S WAY OF DOING THEIR JOB.

AND THEY'LL WANT TO CAPITOLLIZE ON SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T NEED TO BUT THAT'S WHAT POLITICAL PARTIES DO.

EVERYBODY ELSE WILL BE DOING IT AND I'M PERFECTLY OK WITH IT AND I THINK THE REST OF THE REPUBLICANS ARE -- THEY'LL GET THEIR VERDICT AT THE END OF NOVEMBER AFTER THE VOTERS HAVE THEIR SAY AS INCONTINUEDED.

>> Ted: NO CONCERTED EFFORT ON YOUR PART?

>> NO.

>> Ted: THE NO-LABEL'S PART SAYING THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO -- THEY WANT TO DECIDE WHO IS A NO-LABEL'S PARTY CANDIDATE AND YOU'RE SAYING, WHAT, YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN THE WAY THEY WANT TO DO THAT.

>> THE NO-LABELS FOLKS IN ARIZONA ARE NOT THE NO-LABEL'S FOLKS ON THE EAST COAST OR WHOEVER IS FUNDING THEM.

THE FOLKS HERE IN ARIZONA, WE'LL HONOR THEIR RIGHTS AND LET THEM DO WHAT THE LAW ALLOWS THEM TO DO.

IT'S THE FOLKS OUT OF STATE THAT HAVE THEIR HEADS SHOVED IN THE WRONG PLACES.

WE TOOK THE PETITIONS FROM ARIZONA VOTERS OF WHICH THEY SPECIFICALLY SAID THEY WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE PRIMARIES IN AUGUST AND IN THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF THE PETITION.

37,000 ARIZONANS SAID THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE PRIMARIES AND THAT'S NOT THE PREFERENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

FOLKS ON THE EAST COAST SAYING I WANT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AND THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU QUALIFIED FOR AND TELLING CANDIDATES THEY CAN RUN AND LISTEN, YOU ASKED US TO QUALIFY YOUR PARTY TO RUN STATE-LEVEL STUFF IN OFFICE.

NOT THE PRESIDENTIAL.

SO THEY NEED TO READ THE STUFF THAT THEY'RE ASKING VOTERS TO STINE BEFORE THEY'RE ASKING ME TO DENY VOTERS THEIR RIGHTS.

AND I THINK THOSE VERY HIGHLY PAID LAWYERS FOR THE NO-LABEL'S PARTY FROM OUT OF STATE NEED TO TO BETTER NEXT TIME.

>> Ted: SAYING THIS IS, QUOTE, AN ENTIRELY PRIVATE AND INTERNAL TO THE PROCESS.

>> WHY DOES NO-LABELS THINK THEY'RE SPECIAL?

THEY'RE NOT.

THEY'LL BE TREATED THE SAME WAY THE SAME WAY EVERYBODY ELSE GETS TREATED.

IF THEY TREAT OUR VOTERS WITH RESPECT, WE'LL TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT.

RESPECT.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS SKIPPING THE PRIMARY PROCESS, THEY CAN'T DO IT, CORRECT?

>> THEY CAN'T DENY A PERSON WHO QUALIFIES UNDER THE RULES THE RIGHT TO RUN.

THE NATIONAL PARTY HAS NO AUTHORITY TO STOP STATE PARTISANS FROM RUNNING UNDER THE BANNER IF THOSE PEOPLE QUALIFY.

>> Ted: IF I DECIDE I'LL RUNS A A NO-LABOR'S PARTY AND WE DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THAT GUY.

>> TOUGH.

>> Ted: DOESN'T MATTER.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE PEOPLE THEY DON'T WANT RUNNING AND DEMOCRATS HAVE PEOPLE THEY DON'T WANT RUNNING AND THE NATIONAL PARTIES DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S THE WAY OUR DEMOCRACY WORKS AND IN ARIZONA, WE'LL PRESERVE RIGHTS OF FOLKS WHO WANT TO ENGAGE REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE PARTIES SAY.

>> Ted: THERE'S NO PARTY APPROVAL?

>> NONE.

>> Ted: THERE'S A LAWSUIT REGARDING DROP BOXES.

SPECIFICALLY DROP BOXES NOT IN SOME WAY GUARDED, SECURED.

YOU TELL ME WHAT THE LAWSUIT CALLS FOR BECAUSE IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEY'RE SAYING THESE DROP BOXES, YOU CAN'T LEAVE THEM OUT IN THE OWNERSHIP WITH NO OPEN WITH NO ONE PROTECTING THEM, TRUE?

>> NO, NOT TRUE.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS?

ARIZONA FOR A GENERATION AND A HALF.

THIS IS THE WAY ARIZONA HAS BEEN VOTING SINCE '91, '92 TIME FRAME WHEN NO EXCUSE BALLOT BY MAIL HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

WE'VE HAD DROP BOXES ACROSS THE STATE AND EVERY U.S.

POSTAL MAILBOX IS A DROP BOX.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MANY, MANY WAYS THAT ARIZONANS VOTE, BUT UNTIL THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND LIES, THIS WAS NOT A CONCERN.

THIS LAWSUIT LIKE MANY OF THE ONES WE'VE SEEN GET DEFEATED IS A LAWSUIT BASED IN CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND LIES HAVE TO HOLD THE LITIGANTS TO ACCOUNT FOR NONSENSE, FOR TRYING TO NARROW ACCESS FOR ARIZONA'S VOTERS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM VOTING THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO VOTING.

THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP OUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS FROM DOING THEIR JOBS ON BEHALF OF THOSE VOTERS AND I'LL FIGHT THAT TOOTH AND NAIL.

>> Ted: THE CLAIM IS NO STATUTE FOR OUTSIDE POLLING PLACES, NO LAW FOR THIS.

RESPONSE, PLEASE.

>> THERE'S NOTHING THAT PREVENTS IT FROM HAPPENING.

IT'S BEEN THE TRADITION IN ARD FORARIZONA FOR A LONG TIME.

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM NOW?

THEY'RE THE ONES BRINGING THE SUIT AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT NEED TO SHOW PROOF THAT THERE'S AN ISSUE AND PROBLEM.

THERE'S NO LAW THAT SAYS I HAVE TO BE POLITE TO YOU, TED, BUT I'M ALWAYS GOING TO THANK YOU.

>> Ted: WE KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THAT MIGHT BE.

[ Laughter ] >> Ted: HOW SECURE HOW THESE DROP BOXES?

>> OUR SECURE AS OUR SOCIETY WANTS THEM TO BE.

THERE ARE ALL RISKS.

OUR ELECTION WORKERS ARE UNDER THREAT BECAUSE OF THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND ELECTION DENIERS.

WE HAVE LOST FAINT IN FAITH IN EACH OTHER BECAUSE OF THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND CIVIL DENIERS.

THAT ADVANCES THEIR AGENDA OF TRYING TO GET US TO DOUBT THINGS THAT WE AS A CIVIL SOCIETY DEPENDED ON FOR A LONG TIME.

I'LL COME OUGHT AT THAT TYPE OF QUESTION AGAINST THE LIES AND DENIERS AND CONSPIRACY THEORISTS.

>> Ted: HOW MANY DROP BOXES ARE THERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY?

>> I COULDN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT NUMBER.

>> Ted: GENERAL?

>> IT SHIFTS AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH, FRANKLY.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS TRANSPORTING BLOTS FROM THESE BOXES TO ELECTION OFFICIALS, IS THAT SUPERVISED AND ANY OBSERVATION GOING ON THERE.

>> YOU'LL HAVE PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES WHO ARE GOING TO BE PART OF THE ELECTION TEAM, THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION TEAM PULLING THOSE BALLOTS OUT AND THEN THEY'LL LOCK THE BOX AND BRING THAT STUFF BACK OVER UNDER SEAL TO THE ELECTION WAREHOUSE WHERE EVENTUALLY, IT WILL GET SORTED OUT AND SCANNED.

BUT HERE IS THE OTHER THING, TED, YOU DON'T GET ONE THE BALLOTS UNLESS YOU'RE A REGISTERED VOTER.

YOU DON'T GET ONE OF THOUGH BALLOTS UNLESS YOU ACTS FOR ASK FOR IT.

SIGNATURE VERIFIED AND OWN THE ONLY THE FIRST ONE THAT WILL WORK.

WHEN WE LOOK AT ONE OF THESE PIECES OF A LARGE AND COMPLEX SYSTEM WITH A LOT OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, YOU COULD SAY, THAT'S A PROBLEM, BUT YOU'RE FORGETTING THE ENTIRE REST OF THE SYSTEM AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT THEY TRY TO GET US THE WAY TO THINK THEY'RE PROBLEMS.

>> Ted: WE'RE COMING AT IT THROUGH THE LAWSUIT AND THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED THERE'S INTIMIDATION, VOTERS DIS-POSSIBILITY FOR VOTER INTIMIDATION AND VOTER INTERFERENCE BECAUSE YOU COULD HAVE SOME CRACKPOT HANGING AROUND A BALLOT BOX AND YOU WOULD NEED SECURITY BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO WALK UP THERE.

>> IRONIC THAT IT'S THOSE PEOPLE THAT MOTIVATE THE PEOPLE WITH THE LONG RIFLES AND INTIMIDATION.

THE SAME LIES AND CONSPIRACIES CAUSING THE PROBLEMS THEY WANT TO FIX.

WE'LL HOLD THEM TO ACCOUNT AND DEPEND VOTERSANDDEFEND ARIZONA ARIZONA.

>> Ted: COMMENT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP ON THE BALLOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

A COLORADO JUDGE SAYS HE'S AN INSURRECTIONIST AND CLEARLY AN INSURRECTIONIST AND BECAUSE HE HAS A -- IT'S A LITTLE CONVOLUTED AND THE IDEA IS THAT BECAUSE HE'S NOT LIKE A FEDERAL OFFICER RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, OFFICER, THAT HE IS ALLOWED ON THE BALLOT.

OK, GET PASSED ALL OF THE MUM MUMBO JUMBO.

SHOULD DONALD TRUMP BE ON THE BALLOT?

>> IF THE PRESIDENT IS QUALIFIED IN TWO OTHER STATES, THAT I HAVE TO CERTIFY THAT PERSON TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN SOMEBODY ELSE CAN'T COME IN AND CHALLENGE, BUT AS FAR AS BEING THE PERSON WHO CERTIFIES FOR THE BALLOT, I HAVE TO OBSERVE THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE, THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION, AS WELL AND ARIZONA LAW IS CLEAR ABOUT WHAT I CAN OR CANNOT DO IN MY DUTY AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

SO HE'S QUALIFIED IN COLORADO.

HE'S QUALIFIED IN MORE THAN ONE OTHER STATE RIGHT NOW, AS I UNDERSTAND.

SO SHOULD Mr. TRUMP APPLY TO BE ON THE BALLOT HERE IN ARIZONA?

THE LAW TELLS ANYWAY I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PUT I'M ON THE BALLOT.

>> Ted: SOUNDS SIMILAR TO MICHIGAN AND MINNESOTA SAYING IT HAS TO BE THERE SO HE HAS TO BE THERE.

>> CERTAIN THINGS OTHER PEOPLE CAN FIGHT AND THIS BECOMES A POLITICAL THING THAT I THINK IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR CHALLENGERS TO FIGHT.

I HAVE TO EXECUTE MY DUTIES IN FULL FAITH AND COMPLIANCE WITH ARIZONA LAW INCLUDING ALL OF THE OTHER LAWS THAT APPLY HERE AND I HAVE TO DO WHAT I'VE BEEN ADVISED TO DO AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

>> Ted: LAST QUESTION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT AND THE THIRD SECTION, WHAT ABOUT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND WHAT ABOUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE?

IF THOSE FOLKS ARE CONSIDERED INSURRECTIONISTS, ARE THEY QUALIFIED IN.

>> THAT APPLIES UNDER ARTICLE 2, AND I THINK SECTION 3 MIGHT APPLY DIFFERENTLY TO ANY OTHER OFFICE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> Ted: SO WHAT ARE YOU SAYING IN FROM THE TAN TARRED WILL STAN DEADER WILL STANDARD WILL BE DIFFERENT.

CAN THEY SAY -- LET'S THROW F GGO SAR'S NAME COULD HE BE ON THE BALLOT?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO BE FOLLOWING THE LAW AND THE CONTUSION IS THE LAW.

>> Ted: ANY MOVEMENT AND SAY IT'S POSSIBLE IF THERE?

>> WE RESIDENT HAVEN'T BEEN FORMERLYING ASKED THE QUESTION AND I ARE TUKE TO MY LAWYERS.

>> Ted: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

>> Ted: YOU, TOO.

REACTION TO THE STATE PRESIDENT WANTING TO WEAKEN THE CENTERPIECE OF THE ARIZONA WATER LAW.

>> I'LL SEE THE FINE EYE FROM BEAUTY THE ROMANS INHERITED FROM THE GREEKED LIKE INTIMATE MOSAICS AND AMAZINGLY REALISTIC STATUES AND BUSTS THAT LOOK LIKE PEOPLE YOU COULD SEE ON THE STREET TODAY.

>> THURSDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF GREAT PERFORMANCES IN A SPECIAL STAR-STUDDED BROADWAY CELEBRATION.

>> I'M INVITING EVERYONE.

>> HOSTED BY FOSTER.

>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

(SINGING).

>> ENJOY GREAT PERFORMANCES CELEBRATING BROADWAY'S BEST.

>> FRIDAY NIGHT ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO FREE SOME HOSTAGES REACH A FEVER PITCH.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 6:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> Ted: SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN COLD MEDIA SERVICES WANTS TO SEE CHANGES IN THE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT REQUIRING RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPERS IN URBAN AREAS TO HAVE A 100 YEAR SUPPLY OF WATER.

FOR REACTION TO THAT IDEA, WE WELCOME THE SENIOR RESEARCH FELL WITH THE KYL CENTER AT ASU'S MORRISON INSTITUTE.

THE 1980 GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HOLY GRAIL AND WHAT SIT AND IS IT?

>> IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE THE STATE WAS OVERPUMPING THE GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES IN MAMMOTH PROPORTIONS AND STATE LEADERS KNEW AT THE TIME THAT THAT COULDN'T GO ON AND THERE WAS A COMMISSION ESTABLISHED AND THE ARIZONA GROUNDWATER STUDY COMMISSION.

IT WORKED FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND BRUCE BABBOT GOT INVOLVED AND CREATED THE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT PASSED IN 198O.

>> 1980.

>> Ted: KWHICH CALLS FOR WHAT?

>> IT'S CALLED ACTED MANAGEMENT AREAS AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES IS THE ASSURED WATER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT.

THAT IS A REQUIREMENT THAT SAYS IF YOU'RE A DEVELOPER AND YOU ARE GOING TO SELL HOUSES ON SUBDIVIDED LAND, YOU HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES A 100 YEAR WATER SUPPLY BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO PROCEED.

>> Ted: AND THIS IS WHERE WE GET TO SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN'S CONCERNS.

HE WANTS TO KNOW, WHY 100 YEARS?

HE SAYS THAT IS ARBITRARY AND TIME TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT THAT AND CHANGE THAT.

YOUR RESPONSE?

FIRST OF ALL, WHERE DID 100 YEARS COME FROM?

>> IT CAME FROM THE LAND FRAUD DAYS OF NED WARREN IN THE EARLY 1970'S WHEN HE WAS SELLING WORTHLESS LAND, UNSUSPECTING BUYERS FROM OUT OF STATE AND SO THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW IN 1973 REQUIRING DEVELOPERS OF SUBDIVISIONS TO GO TO THE DEPARTMENT -- IT WASN'T THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES THEN.

IT WAS THE ARIZONA WATER COMMISSION AND SHOW WHAT KIND OF WATER SUPPLIES THEY HAD.

AND THAT WAS FOR 100 YEARS.

IT'S JUST THAT IT WASN'T MANDATORY.

THEY COULD STILL GO AHEAD AND SELL THEIR LOTS, BUT THEY HAD TO DISCLOSE THAT THE SUPPLY WAS NOT A 100 YEAR SUPPLY.

SO THIS IS A MEASURE THAT'S BEEN IN OUR STATUTES FOR 50, 60 YEARS AND NOTHING ARBITRARY ABOUT IT.

AND I WOULD SAY GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW, 100 YEARS IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> Ted: HE IS PUSHING FOR HAVING THIS LESS.

HE POINTS OUT LIKE CALIFORNIA, 25-YEAR?

>> IT MIGHT BE LESS IN CALIFORNIA.

I THOUGHT IT WAS 20 YEARS.

HE SAID 25.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE STANDARD THAT WE SHOULD MEASURE OURSELVES BY.

ARIZONA IS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE THAN CALIFORNIA AS WE ALL KNOW AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO POINT OUT, WE DON'T WANT TO BE CALIFORNIA.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO BECAUSE OF OUR DESERT ENVIRONMENT AND THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF GROWTH THAT WE'VE HAD HERE, WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT CONSUMER PROTECTION AND THAT'S REALLY ONE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE ASSURED WATER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT.

IT TELLS A HOMEOWNER IF YOU'RE GOING TO INVEST ALL OF THIS MONEY IN A OUTSIDE, HOUSE, BE ASSURED YOU'LL HAVE THIS MOVING FORWARD.

>> Ted: THEY WOULD ARGUE THAT HOMES THESE DAYS ARE MUCH MORE WATER EFFICIENT AND XERISCAPEING AND MORE CONSERVATION ASPECT TO THEIR HOMES AND THAT, AGAIN, 100 YEARS MAY NOT BE NECESSARY RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS WHERE THE SENATE PRESIDENT IS COMING FROM AND HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> I ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE TO THAT.

THE REASON THE HOME BUILDERS ARE DOING THESE THINGS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO IN ORDER TO STRETCH THE WATER SUPPLIES.

THEY WOULDN'T BE DOING THIS WITHOUT THE ASSURED WATER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT.

THIS IS THE THING THAT MOTIVATES DEVELOPERS OF SUBDIVISIONS, CITIES, TOWNS, PRIVATE WATER COMPANIES TO REALLY MANAGE SUPPLIES IN A VERY THOUGHTFUL THOUGHTFUL WAY.

IF WE WERE TO SAY TO REST OF THE COUNTRY, AWE WE'LL GET RID OF IT, IT WOULD SEND THE OPPOSITE SIGNAL AND A SIGNAL THAT WE DON'T CARE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN THE LONG RUN.

>> Ted: AND YET, THOSE THOSE ARE THE OTHER SIDE, THEY STOPPED IT IN BUCKEYE AND THERE WERE HEADLINES AND WE SAW THEMSELVES IN "NEW YORK TIMES," ARIZONA IS RUNNING OUT OF WATER.

THEY'RE SAYING BECAUSE OF THAT REQUIREMENT, WE'RE GETTING THINGS LIKE THIS WHICH DOES NOT HELP ARIZONA.

>> HEY, I WOULD SAY RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS WAS A WORSE BLACK EYE WHERE PEOPLE WERE SELLING WITHOUT ANY WATER.

YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT 100 YEARS IS BASICALLY THREE MORTGAGES ON A HOME.

WE WANT TO HAVE OUR HOMES JUST CRUMBLE APART AND WE ALL LEAVE TOWN AFTER 100 YEARS?

YOU KNOW, IT ISN'T -- IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY AND THE VALLEY CITIES HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RENEWABLE WATER SUPPLIES AND IN THE TREATMENT PLANTS AND THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS TO MAKE THOSE SUPPLIES AVAILABLE.

IT WOULD BE A REAL JUST SLAP IN THE FACE TO SAY TO OTHER PEOPLE, OH, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS RIGHT NOW, THE HOUSING CRISIS IN ARIZONA AND THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE SAYING GET RID OF THIS AND CUT IT DOWN, DON'T MAKE IT 100 OR 25 AND THAT WILL HELP DEVELOPERS GET THEM MORE BUSY BUILDING MORE HOMES.

>> SO THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE, BUT THE KYL CENTER DID AN EXPLAINER ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ALONG WITH THE MORRISON INSTITUTE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GO INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WATER IS NOT THE KEY.

IT'S ZONING AND REGULATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT.

IT'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOUSING THAT THE DEVELOPERS ARE BUILDING IN BUCKEYE AND QUEEN CREEK, FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD NOT BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE MEDIUM PRICE OF A HOME IN QUEEN CREEK IS 650,000.

THAT IS NOT AN AFFORDABLE HOME FOR MANY PEOPLE.

>> Ted: LAST QUESTION, ABOUT INTO SECONDS LEFT HERE, HOW OFTEN HAS THIS COME UP OR GETTING RID OF THIS ALL TOGETHER?

>> IT COMES UP EVERY TIME THERE IS AN ENTITY OR GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT THEY CAN'T DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

ININ OTHER WORDS, THEY CAN'T MAKE MONEY OFF A BUILDING AND THEN GO ON.

AND SO, WE SAW THIS IN 1993 AND WE'RE SEEING IT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE MODEL RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND KUDOS FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR DOING THAT.

THIS IS A DESERT STATE AND WE HAVE LIMITED WATER SUPPLIES.

WE HAVE A HUGE GROWING POPULATION.

IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEND THE RIGHT MESSAGE.

>> Ted: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> Ted: THAT'S IT AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING!