♪.

TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT EXPANDS FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, WHAT BUSINESS LEADERS THINK OF THE JUST COMPLETED STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND NEW PUSH TO PUT WARNING LABELS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KRIS MAYES TODAY ASKED FOR EMERGENCY COURT INJUNCTION TO BLOCK THE STATE FROM TAKING $115 MILLION FROM ARIZONA'S SHARE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT AND USING THE MONEY INSTEAD FOR THE STATE'S PRISON SYSTEM BUDGET.

MAYES CALLED THE DIVERSION, QUOTE, A BUDGET GIMMICK AND CLAIMS THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT MANDATES THAT THE MONEY ONLY BE USED FOR ARIZONANS TO RECOVER FROM OPIOID ADDICTIONS AND NOT TO PLUG A ROUTINE BUDGET HOLE.

STATES $1.4 MILLION ARE JEOPARDIZED BY THE ROUTINE GOVERNMENT EXPENSES.

>>> GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS IS CONSIDERING SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS GROUND WATER ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE CAPITOL TIMES.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THREE WATER BILLS BUT VETOED FIVE OTHERS.

THE THREE SIGNED BILLS MAKE IT EASIER TO TRANSPORT WATER TO AREAS OF GROWTH INCLUDING QUEEN CREEK AND BUCKEYE.

THE FIVE VETOED BILLS WOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR THREATENED WATER SUPPLIES OR FAILED TO ENSURE THE WATER SUPPLIES ARE SUSTAINED.

>>> U.S. SUPREME COURT UPHELD ATTACKS ON FOREIGN INCOME AND OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS.

COURT RULED THE TAX IS CONSTITUTIONAL EVEN IF PROCEEDS HAD NOT BEEN RECEIVED.

THE TAX IS PUT IN PLACE BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP BUT TODAY'S RULING IS CONSIDERED A WIN FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE A DIFFERENT RULING COULD HAVE JEOPARDIZED EXISTING TAX PROVISIONS.

>>> HIGH COURT RULED THAT A FORMER TEXAS CITY COUNCILWOMAN CAN GO AHEAD WITH A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TOWN'S MAYOR OVER WHAT THE COUNCIL WOMAN CLAIMS WAS A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ARREST.

THE ARREST FOR STEALING GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT BUT PROSECUTORS DROPPED THE CHARGES.

APPELLATE COURT RULED THERE WAS PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ARREST, BUT THE SUPREME COURT TODAY REVERSED THAT RULING.

>>> HEALTH NOTE, NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS THERE ARE SIX TYPES OF DEPRESSION, AND THAT EACH TYPE RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO MEDICATIONS AND THERAPY.

RESEARCHERS MADE THE DISCOVERY LOOKING AT MRI SCANS OF 800 PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION.

THE SIX DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS IS EXPECTED TO HELP DOCTORS SINGLE OUT TREATMENT FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE DISORDER.

>>> AND ACTOR DONALD SUTHERLAND DIED AT 88.

CAREER SPANNED FROM MISFITS AND ODDBALLS FROM THE 60S AND 70'S FILMS TO MEMORABLE ROLES IN "THE HUNGER GAMES."

HE WAS NEVER NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR, THOUGH THE ACADEMY PRESENTED HIM WITH HONORARY OSCAR IN 2017.

DONALD SUTHERLAND DEAD AT 88.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED SWEEPING NEW PROTECTIONS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN THE U.S. FOR YEARS AND MARRIED TO AMERICAN CITIZENS.

JOINING US IS MARIO MONTOYA, RESEARCH ANALYST AND COALITION CONSULTANT AT ALIENTO AND IN WASHINGTON FOR THE TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY OF DACA WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

TED: YOU BET.

I WANT TO GET TO DACA IN A SECOND.

THAT'S CLOSE TO YOUR HEART.

AS FAR BACK AS THE POLICY OF SPOUSES WITH CITIZENS, IMMIGRANTS, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> YES, THERE WAS EXECUTIVE ACTION ANNOUNCED THIS PAST TUESDAY.

ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS WOULD DO WOULD TAKE PATHWAYS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC.

I BELIEVE THE ADMINISTRATION SAID THIS WOULD IMPACT AROUND 550,000 INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE MARRIED TO A U.S. CITIZEN, SO SPOUSE THAT'S UNDOCUMENTED, AND THEIR UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN, IF THE FAMILY UNIT IS MARRIED.

WHAT THIS WOULD DO, ULTIMATELY, RIGHT NOW HOW THE PROCESS STANDS IS IF YOU WANT TO GET A GREEN CARD OR WANT TO BECOME A LAWFUL -- RECEIVE LAWFUL PERMANENT STATUS, A LOT OF THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY BEFORE THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.

ONCE THEY LEAVE, DEPENDING THE WAY THEY ENTER, THEY FACE UP TO A 10-YEAR BAR FROM BEING ABLE TO BE ALLOWED IN.

WHAT THIS WOULD DO, THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BE ABLE TO APPLY WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE FROM HERE, MAKING IT SO THERE'S NO NEED TO SEPARATE FAMILIES.

TED: YEAH, MUST HAVE LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES FOR TEN YEARS AND MARRIED TO THE U.S. CITIZEN AS OF MONDAY, CORRECT?

>> YES, SO SINCE JUNE 17, 2024, YOU MUST HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO THE U.S. CITIZEN AS WELL AS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY PRESENT IN THE U.S. FOR MINIMUM OF TEN YEARS FROM THE DATE.

TED: AND YOU CAN'T HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO DO THIS.

IT'S FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OTHERWISE ALREADY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE PATH WAYS.

IT'S STREAMLINING THE PROCESS AND KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE THE U.S. >> SHIELDING FROM DEPORTATION.

>> MEANWHILE, WHILE THEY APPLY FOR LAWFUL PERMANENT STATUS IT WILL PROVIDE WORK AUTHORIZATION AND PROVIDE SHIELDING FROM DEPORTATIONS.

TED: THE PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP, HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

IS IT JUST WORK AS IT USUALLY DOES, ONLY THESE PEOPLE ARE INCLUDED?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> SO THE REAL DIFFERENCE IS FOR THE PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP, THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY TO BE ABLE TO APPLY AND THEN COME IN.

THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO NATION OF ORIGIN, AND THIS IS WHAT OCCURS, IF YOU ENTER WITHOUT ANY SORT OF PORT OF ENTRY, IF YOU ENTERED OR HEAR UNLAWFUL PRESENCE FOR THREE YEARS, THIS GIVES YOU TEN-YEAR BAN DUE TO STATUS OF CONGRESSIONAL LAWS.

RIGHT NOW HOW IT WORKS, A LOT OF THEM HAVE TO LEAVE AND COME BACK.

WE DON'T KNOW THE TIME FRAME, IF YOU GET THE TEN-YEAR BAR, EVEN IF YOU CAME HERE WITH THE VISA, STILL THIS PROCESS COULD LAST MONTHS OR YEARS, SO A LOT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS DON'T APPLY TO THIS.

TED: WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS PEOPLE LIVING WITH FEAR AND ANXIETY, THEY'RE DOING THIS AND WE CAN, QUOTE, FIX THAT, DOES THIS FIX THAT?

>> YES, BECAUSE SIMULTANEOUSLY IT WOULD PROVIDE THEM THE WORK AUTHORIZATION AND THAT PROTECTION FROM DEPORTATION.

TED: SO IT ALLOWS THEM TO STAY WHILE PURSUING LEGAL STATUS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

TED: OKAY, THERE'S THE DREAMER ASPECT OF ALL THIS, WHAT YOU WERE BACK THERE, BECAUSE YOU ARE A DREAMER, AND THIS ALLOWS FOR WHAT, GAINING ACCESS TO VISAS?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> YES, THE OTHER EXECUTIVE ORDER IS TO ALLOW DREAMERS WHO WENT TO HIGHER INSTITUTION AND GOT A DEGREE IN THE UNITED STATES, A STREAMLINE PROCESS FOR EMPLOYMENT BASED VISAS, NONIMMIGRANT VISAS, THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM, INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE GRADUATED, ANOTHER PATHWAY, ANOTHER HOPE TO GET WORK AUTHORIZATION AND BE HERE ON GOOD STANDINGS.

TED: GREEN CARD IMPACT STRONG, HUH?

>> IT WOULD BE -- IT STILL WOULDN'T BE, THEY WOULDN'T BE ELIGIBLE FOR GREEN CARD, IT WOULD BE EMPLOYMENT, NONIMMIGRANT VISA.

TED: DOES IT GREASE THE SKIDS A LITTLE BIT MORE?

>> THEY RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUE, THEY HAVE TO GET ON NATION OF ORIGIN AND DO THE PROCESS THERE, SO THAT PROCESS CAN TAKE UP TO MONTHS.

SO WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS UPDATE THE SYSTEM AND STREAMLINE IT.

TED: OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF DACA DISAPPEARS?

HOW DOES THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER WORK IF DACA IS GONE?

>> IT'S NOT TIED NECESSARILY TO DACA, BUT I THINK THE GOOD ASPECT OF, IT LET'S SAY HOPEFULLY NOT, BUT IF DAKA WERE TO END, THIS WOULD PROVIDE ME, SINCE I GRADUATED FROM A UNIVERSITY HERE, ANOTHER PATHWAY TO PURSUE.

SO I COULD REMAIN HERE IN THE PLACE THAT I'VE GROWN AND LOVED.

TED: OKAY, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THIS IS FOCUSING ON LONG-TERM IMMIGRANTS AND NOT NECESSARILY RECENT ARRIVALS, AM I GETTING THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, THE FIRST ONE WITH THE SPOUSES, YOU'VE HAD TO BE HERE FOR TEN YEARS.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT ANY NEW ARRIVALS.

ONLY FOR THE LONG-TERM RESIDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE IN THE U.S. >> ONE MORE THING, I HEARD A LOT OF YOU MUST RETURN TO YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, EVEN WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

SO THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS NOT BLANKET AMNESTY, NOT A BUNCH OF THINGS CRITICS ARE SAYING IT IS, THERE ARE PROCESSES THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED, CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THE DACA AND DREAMERS, THE EMPLOYMENT VISAS, THAT ONE YOU STILL HAVE TO RETURN.

FOR THE SPOUSE'S EXECUTIVE ACTION, YOU WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO THE PROCESS WITHIN THE U.S. >> I THOUGHT ORIGINALLY YOU HAD TO GO BACK AGAIN.

>> THAT'S HOW IT STOOD BEFOREHAND.

TED: OKAY, BEFORE EVERYTHING.

ONE LAST THING ABOUT THE TEN-YEAR AND THE ORDER TODAY, THERE'S NO CONSTANT RENEWAL LIKE THERE IS WITH DACA.

YOU GET IT OVER WITH AND IT'S DONE WITH?

>> DEPENDING HOW LONG THE PROCESS IS GOING TO TAKE FOR THEM TO ADJUST THE STATUS, CORRECT.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE FOR THREE YEARS, THE WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SPOUSES OF U.S. CITIZENS AND HOPEFULLY WITHIN THAT TIME, THAT PROCESS DOES GET STREAMLINED SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO RENEW.

TED: THIS IS MAKING SENSE TO DACA AND IMMIGRANT FOLKS IN THE COUNTRY MORE THAN TEN YEARS WITH A SPOUSE BUT DON'T HAVE LEGAL -- THIS ALL MAKES SENSES TO THE FOLKS?

>> WE'RE WAITING FOR CLEAR GUIDELINES TO BE SURE.

IT STILL HASN'T BEEN IMPLEMENTED SO REALLY CRUCIAL FOR IMMIGRANTS TO KNOW THAT.

TED: WHEN IS IT GOING TO GET IMPLEMENTED?

.

>> WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION, WE HEARD BY THE END OF SUMMER, MAYBE TWO MONTHS.

TED: ALL RIGHT, MARIO MONTOYA, COMPLICATED STUFF, THANKS FOR HELPING EXPLAIN IT, GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

.

TED: THE RECENTLY COMPLETED STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION INCLUDED A BUDGET THAT EXTENDED BUDGET AUTHORITY.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE EXTENSION AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET AND THE SESSION WITH PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

DANNY, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> TED, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATION.

TED: START WITH YOUR OVERALL VIEW OF THE LATEST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THUMBS-UP, THUMBS-DOWN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THUMPS SIDEWAYS, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY FOR THE SESSION.

WE TALK ABOUT EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SESSION ARE, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTINUATION THE ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY, TOP PRIORITY FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND GOT FIVE YEARS, THE LONGEST CONTINUATION SINCE INCEPTION, IT TIES THAT.

THAT'S GREAT.

IT TELLS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS, PRIORITIZE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

A GREAT WIN FOR THAT ONE.

PLENTY OF BAD AND UGLY AS WELL.

TED: AS FAR AS THE GOOD IS CONCERNED, DIDN'T START OFF ALL THAT GOOD, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT KILLING THE COMMISSION.

HOW DID YOU GO FROM EXTINCTION TO EXTENSION?

>> I'LL BE POLITE AND SAY IT WAS A LOT OF EDUCATION.

WE USED THE OPPORTUNITY, YOU'RE RIGHT, DISMANTLED THE AGENCY AND RAISED TAXES ON OPPORTUNITY, TOO.

OVER THE LAST REALLY 12+ YEARS, THEY HAVE DIVERSIFIED OUR ECONOMY.

THEY HAVE HELPED CREATE OVER 250,000 JOBS.

THE TOTAL NUMBER NOW IS LIKE $118 BILLION INTO THE COMMUNITY.

SO THE ACA IS INVALUABLE FOR OUR STATE AND LEGISLATIVE TOURS WERE RECEPTIVE OF THAT.

WE GOT A GOOD BIPARTISAN VOTE.

WE'LL HAVE SUPPORT FOR IT AND SHOULD MAKE SANDRA WATSON AND HER HARD WORKING TEAM FEEL BETTER ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

TED: WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF DIVIDED GOVERNMENT WITH DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THAT FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO DEAL WITH?

.

>> VERY DIFFICULT.

SECOND BUDGET WITH DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, AND IT DOES LEAD TO A LOT OF FRUSTRATING CONVERSATIONS AND TO BE HONEST WHAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DOES IS LOOKING AT THIS AGAIN AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE'RE NONPARTISAN.

WE HAVE SUPPORT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE BUT ISSUE TO ISSUE NOW, TED.

WHEN WE WANT TO PUSH FOR A TAX ISSUE OR TAX REDUCTION ISSUE, WE HAVE TO FIND THE PEOPLE.

EDUCATE THEM THAT CARE ABOUT IT.

THERE IS NO ONE PARTY ANYMORE, WE ARE AN ISLAND OF ISSUE BY ISSUE SUPPORT, THAT'S TRUE FOR DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

IF YOU HAVE GOOD CENTER RIGHT, CENTER LEFT IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU, YOU CAN GET A LOT OF STUFF DONE.

THAT WAS PROVEN WITH THE SESSION.

THE BUDGET WAS HANDLED MUCH MORE AT A LEADERSHIP LEVEL.

SOME OF US GOT LEFT OUT UNTIL THE END.

ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE.

TED: THINGS LIKE SIX REFERRALS TO THE BALLOT OUT OF THIS.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> THAT'S JUST THIS SESSION.

THIS BALLOT IS GOING TO BE A CVS RECEIPT.

IT'S GOING TO BE SO LONG, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET THROUGH IT.

WE SUPPORT TWO OF THOSE, AS OF RIGHT NOW, ONE ENSHRINES PEOPLE'S ABILITIES TO GET TIPS.

SO TIP WORKERS, SERVERS, BARTENDERS, WE'RE LOOKING TO ENSHRINE THAT AND PROTECT RESTAURANTS AND DINERS.

THE OTHER IS AROUND PROPERTY TAX.

IF YOU ARE A PRIVATE BUSINESS OR PRIVATE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND THE CITY, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT SPONTING TO NUISANCE COMPLAINTS.

SQUADERS, PEOPLE ABUSING THINGS, THEY GET A REFUND FROM PROPERTY TAX NOW.

TED: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DETAIN THOSE WHO CROSSED THE BORDER.

GOING BACK TO 1070 CONCERNS, NOT EXACTLY, BUT WE'RE IN THE BALLPARK.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY THINKS ABOUT THIS, WHAT?

>> MY GOSH, BIG TOPIC.

THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE ON EVERY POLL.

TALKING ABOUT POLLS ON YESTERDAY'S SHOW.

THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC ON EVERY POLL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE COMMUNITIES.

IT'S NOT AN ABSTRACT THING, WE'RE SEEING IT, FEELING IT.

THE FENTANYL CRISIS IS THERE.

HCR2060.

WHAT WAS INTRODUCED AS TO WHAT WAS PASSED, WE'RE A LOT BETTER OFF THAN BEFORE WE STARTED.

WE WORKED TO GET THE DACA RECIPIENTS OUT OF IT.

DO WE LOVE IT AS A POLICY?

NO, WE DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD LEGISLATE AT THE BALLOT BOX AND FUNDING JAILS AND MANDATORY HOLDS BUT IT IS NARROW.

NOT 1070, NOT BOYCOTTS.

WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT, AND THIS IS A MUCH BETTER PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY NARROW ENOUGH TO KEEP BUSINESSES FROM SAYING WE'RE HEARING BAD THINGS, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT ARIZONA WITH THE STINK EYE?

>> THIS IS PREDICATED ON CONSTITUTIONALITY OF TEXAS MEASURE CALLED SB4.

TEXAS HAD ZERO REPERCUSSIONS FOR THE PASSAGE OF THAT.

NO REASON OUR BUSINESSES SHOULD VIEW IT THAT WAY.

WE'RE AN OPEN STATE.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

WE HAVE VERY DIVERSE ECONOMY.

ALL THE POPULATIONS MATTER TO US.

WE'LL WATCH IT CLOSELY.

TO BE HONEST, THIS IS FALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER.

TED: ESAS, BIG ISSUE AT THE CAPITOL AND BIG ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS, BIG ISSUE TO LEAVE ALONE FOR REPUBLICANS.

A VERY SMALL GUARDRAIL PASS THROUGH HERE.

IS IT TIME -- IT'S COSTING A LOT OF MONEY, DANNY.

THE REPUBLICAN SIDE CAN'T TOUCH IT.

IT'S A THIRD RAIL.

IS IT TIME TO LOOK AT MEANS TESTING, SOME KIND OF CAP, SOMETHING TO CONTROL THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM A LOT OF FOLKS?

>> YOU REALLY ARE, BUT YOU'RE ALSO GETTING THE PUSHBACK BECAUSE IT'S A POPULAR PROGRAM.

A LOT OF PARENTS ARE USING THIS.

THEY PUT A GUARDRAIL AROUND HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT DURING SUMMER MONTHS, WHICH WILL HELP WITH THE BUDGET IMPACT AND CUT DOWN ON ABUSE, THE CHAMBER HASN'T HAD POSITION ON ESAS.

IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER ON ESAS, YOU SHOULD WANT GUARDRAILS BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT PARENTS BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND KIDS TO THE SCHOOL THAT BEST SUITS THEM AND NOT BE TRAPPED BY ZIP CODES.

THAT'S A NOBLE CAUSE, BUT YOU GOT TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND GUARDRAILS OTHERWISE IT'S GOING TO COLLAPSE UNDER ITS OWN WEIGHT.

TED: THAT'S THE CONCERN THAT ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO GO AWAY FOR ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

>> YEAH, GO AHEAD.

>> THE IDEA THAT THE CHAMBER COMES OUT WITH ENDORSEMENTS AND YOU CAME OUT WITH YOUR ENDORSEMENTS AND I DID NOT SEE ANY -- I'M STILL LOOKING, DON'T SEE FREEDOM CAUCUS MEMBERS ON THERE.

IF THERE IS ONE, I MISSED IT.

WHAT GOES ON?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO'S IN THE FREEDOM CAUCUS AND WHO'S NOT IN THE FREEDOM CAUCUS.

HOW ENDORSEMENTS WORK, SO EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE PROCESS, WE HAVE A MASSIVE BOARD, REPRESENT EVERY MAJOR EMPLOYER AND YOU HAVE TO HIT 65% THRESHOLD TO GET THE ENDORSEMENT.

PEOPLE COME BY AND VIEW THE BODY OF WORK, IT'S A VERY BIPARTISAN ENDORSEMENT LIST BUT PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSON IS ON IT.

HE'S FREEDOM CAUCUS ADJACENT.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR ANY OF THEM, EVEN IN THE FREEDOM CAUCUS, THEY VOTE 60%-ISH WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WELL.

TO GET OUR ENDORSEMENT WE EXPECT MORE.

WE EXPECT TO YOU LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH US.

TAKE THE MEETING.

WE EMPLOY PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICT, JUST ABOUT EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE STATE WHO WE REPRESENT.

WE SAY THESE ARE THE CONSTITUENTS, THE CONCERNS, DON'T LET IT BE COLLATERAL DAMAGE FOR A POLITICAL WARRIOR.

>> THE ENDORSEMENTS RAISED A FEW EYEBROWS AND WE HAD TO ASK YOU ABOUT IT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> ANY TIME, TED.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING ABOUT INITIATIVES LATER IN THE SUMMER.

.

TED: THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED HE WILL PUSH CONGRESS TO PUT WARNING LABELS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS SIMILAR TO THE WARNINGS ON CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL.

HE WANTS THE LABELS TO ADVISE PARENTS THAT USING SOCIAL MEDIA MIGHT DAMAGE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ADOLESCENTS.

FOR MORE ON THIS, WE WELCOME SWAPNA REDDY FROM THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

TED: HOW DO YOU PUT A WARNING LABEL ON A SOCIAL MEDIA APP?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE MESSAGE AND THE PLATFORM IN THE AGENDA SETTING THAT THE SURGEON GENERAL IS ESTABLISHING, BY BASICALLY SAYING, LOOK, WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY AND CONSISTENT WITH WHAT HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE LAST FEW YEARS.

HE HAD A STRONG PLATFORM ON LONELINESS AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND REALLY THE FOCUS NOW IS THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AMONG OUR ADOLESCENTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT A SAFER PLATFORM FOR TEENAGERS.

TED: WARNING LABELS WORK FORWARD TOBACCO AND WORKED IN SOME DEGREE FOR ALCOHOL.

CAN IT WORK WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH KIDS AND PARENTS AND THAT WHOLE DYNAMIC?

>> SO I THINK THE ACTUAL WARNING LABEL PIECE.

WHO KNOWS HOW EFFECTIVE THE WARNING LABEL IS, RIGHT?

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SURGEON GENERAL IS WARNING, IT'S NOT ENFORCEABLE, IT'S A POLICY SETTING, AGENDA SETTING MECHANISM AND I THINK THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT HERE, AND I APPLAUD THE SURGEON GENERAL FOR FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADOLESCENTS AND ESTABLISHING THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND SOMETHING WE NEED TO TREAT LIKE ALL HEALTH ISSUES.

TED: THE STUDY SHOWS KIDS ARE ON APPS THREE HOURS A DAY.

IT DOUBLES THE RISK OF ANXIETY AND ANOTHER STUDY SAYS THEY'RE ON THE THINGS FOR FIVE HOURS A DAY.

>> HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW, 95% OF ADOLESCENTS ARE ON SOME SOCIAL MEDIA.

ALMOST ALL OF THEM.

OVER HALF, THE STUDY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT IS CITE THE MORE OFTEN.

MORE THAN HALF OF ADOLESCENTS ARE ON THE APPS ALMOST FIVE HOURS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

IF WE HAD ANY PRODUCT, PERIOD, THAT 95% OF OUR KIDS WERE ON AND OVER HALF WERE ON ALMOST FIVE HOURS A DAY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PRODUCT IS SAFE.

WE WANT TO HAVE RESEARCH AND DATA ON THE SAFETY.

DEFINITELY HAVE REGULATION AND GUIDANCE ABOUT PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND HOW TO BETTER DEAL WITH IT.

TED: THE BIG PART OF THIS, THESE ARE KIDS, DEVELOPING BRAINS DON'T NEED THIS THING?

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONCLUSIVE RESEARCH YET.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A LARGE BODY OF RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA, ON THE DEVELOPING BRAINS, BUT DO HAVE CONCLUSIVE RESEARCH FOR SPECIFIC SUBGROUPS.

WE SEE GIRLS, ABOUT 50% OF GIRLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ARE SAYING THEY HAVE A WORSE BODY IMAGE AS A RESULT OF BEING ON THESE APPS.

WE HAVE RECENT STUDIES THAT HAVE SHOWN REDUCING SOCIAL MEDIA BY ABOUT 50% FOR THE GIRLS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ABOUT TWICE THE RATE FOR GIRLS AS IT IS FOR BOYS.

SAME WITH LGBTQ YOUTH, SEEING ABOUT 40% SOMETHING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

WHAT THEY'RE BEING EXPOSED TO, HOW OFTEN THEY'RE BEING EXPOSED ENDS UP BEING REALLY IMPORTANT.

TED: DEVELOPING BRAINS NEED THIS KIND OF THING.

DOES ANY BRAIN NEED THIS KIND OF THING?

THIS IS A REAL ADDICTION?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW WHAT?

ABOUT 30% OF ADOLESCENTS ARE SAYING I'M ADDICTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

HAVING A HARD TIME CONTROLLING MYSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

ONE THING WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF IS IT'S NOT JUST THE TIME THAT'S BEING SPENT, ALTHOUGH IT IS THE TIME THAT'S BEING SPENT, IT'S WHAT THEY'RE BEING EXPOSED TO, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPOSED TO VERY VIOLENT IMAGERY, HYPERSEXUAL IMAGERY AND THE DISORDER EATING AND BODY IMAGE IMAGERY ARE HAVING THE WORST OUTCOMES.

IT BEGS -- THE ISSUE IS REALLY ABOUT, WE NEED TO HAVE MORE RESEARCH, MORE DATA AND THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS A SAFER PRODUCT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC, KIDS ARE USING IT, RIGHT?

AND THINK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF LEGISLATION DO WE NEED?

WHAT DOES THAT NEED TO LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DO PARENTS NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

TED: PARENTAL GUIDANCE COMING IN THERE.

THE SURGEON GENERAL RECOMMENDS TEXTS AS STEP, PHONE-FREE ZONES AS SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND MEALS, AND PHONE-FREE ZONES ARE A RECOMMENDATION.