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>> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

WE WILL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING A LAWSUIT AIMING TO BLOCK A NEW TRANSPORTATION TAX IN MARICOPA COUNTY THAT MAY OR MAY NOT VIOLATE STATE LAW.

>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M RICK DEBRUHL IN FOR TED SIMONS.

IT IS TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

WE HAVE JEREMY DUDA OF AXIOS PHOENIX, I HAVE TO TAKE THIS TIME THAT JEREMY'S WIFE ROBIN IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE ARIZONA PBS STAFF.

ALSO TONIGHT IS HOWIE FISCHER OF CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES AND CAMRYN SANCHEZ OF KJZZ RADIO.

IT'S LAWSUIT WEEK IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THEM, BUT THE FIRST ONE IS A LAWSUIT DEALING WITH A PROPOSITION 479 HERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY, AND THE MARICOPA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THIS.

>> YOU ARE SHOCKED THE MARICOPA COUNTY FILED A LAWSUIT.

>> EXPLAIN WHY, HOWIE?

>> COMES DOWN TO A COUPLE THINGS, THE VOTERS PASSED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SAYING IF YOU HIKE A TAX AND TAKE IT TO THE BALLOT, YOU NEED 60% APPROVAL MARGIN, MUCH IN LINE WITH THE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO HIKE A TAX THEY NEED TWO THIRDS APPROVAL.

>> AND THIS PASSED 59.84.

>> THAT'S ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM, ONE OF THE -- THERE'S TWO ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DECIDED.

ONE IS THAT THE REFERENDUM VOTERS ARE REFERRING TO?

THIS IS NOT A REFERENDUM WHERE IT IS SENT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, SAYING THAT THE PROVISION BY THE 60% DOESN'T APPLY.

THE OTHER QUESTION COMES DOWN TO IT -- THIS IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING -- IS THIS EXTENSION OF THE HALF-CENT SALES TAX OR A NEW TAX?

I WOULD ARGUE IT'S A NEW TAX, IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTE, THE OLD TAX WOULD GO AWAY, THEREFORE WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE HALF CENT ON THE BOOKS.

SOME JUDGE WILL DECIDE THAT.

>> WHAT'S AT STAKE, JEREMY?

>> WHAT'S AT STAKE IS ALMOST 15 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE COURSE OF 20 YEARS FOR ROADS, HIGHWAYS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

>> AND AS HOWIE MENTIONED, A TAX HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR SOME TIME.

>> FOR DECADES, ORIGINALLY PASSED IN 1985, REAUTHORIZED IN 2004 AND THE REAUTHORIZATION AGAIN, HARD FOUGHT LEGISLATIVE ISSUE.

THE COUNTY IS GOING TO TRY TO GET THIS DISMISSED ON JURISDICTIONAL GROUNDS, THE LEGAL TECHNICALITIES.

IF THE CASE MOVES FORWARD, THE MAIN ISSUE IS DOES THE 60% MARGIN APPLY TO LOCAL MEASURES.

STATEWIDE ONES, THAT WAS THE ENTIRE POINT OF THIS, CITIZEN INITIATIVE, PEOPLE WANT A TAX HIKE ON THE BALLOT, LEGISLATION WANTED TO MAKE IT HARDER.

DOES IT APPLY TO LOCAL ISSUES.

WE HAD A CASE IN COCHISE COUNTY, MAY OF 2023 FOR A JAIL TAX, A QUARTER CENT SALES TAX FOR A JAIL.

FOLKS SUED TO STOP THAT ON A NUMBER OF GROUNDS, ONE OF WHICH IS VIOLATED THE NEW 60% REQUIREMENT AND THE TRIAL COURT SAID THAT APPLIES TO STATEWIDE, THE COURT OF APPEALS DISMISSED IT ON THOSE GROUNDS, THEY AGREED IT ONLY APPLIES TO STATEWIDE, AND UPHELD TO OTHER GROUNDS.

THIS IS APPEALED TO THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT.

THE LANGUAGE OF OO EVENING ASSUMED IT WOULD BE APPLIED TO STATE LEVEL STUFF BUT THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEASURE, IF YOU READ IT, THERE IS AT LEAST SOME ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION, BUT PROBABLY EVERYONE ASSUMED THAT THE INTENTION WAS WE WOULD HAVE HEARD THE COUNTIES AND THE CITY AND EVERYONE SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER ABOUT IT, IF THAT WERE THE CASE LOCALLY.

>> WHY IS THE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY FILING THIS CONSTITUTE?

WHAT'S THE CONCERN?

>> THE REPUBLICANS WERE IN FAVOR OF THE 60% CHANGE AND A LOT OF FIGHTING THAT WENT ONTO GET THE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT.

IT'S SOMEWHAT UNIQUE IN THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAD TO COME UP WITH WHAT TO SEND TO MARICOPA COUNTY VOTERS FOR THE EXTENSION, AND I THINK JEREMY MENTIONED, IT HAPPENED EVERY 20 YEARS, WE'VE HAD IT FOR A WHILE NOW, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND HAIR PULLING ABOUT HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO FUND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN PARTICULAR, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO DID NOT WANT TO FUND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR A LOT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND THE BIGGEST STICKING POINT WAS LIGHT RAIL.

THEY FOUGHT THAT FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR AS I RECALL.

THE DEMOCRATS WERE NOT AS PERTURBED ABOUT FUNDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND SAID IT SHOULD BE UP TO MAGS, THE MARICOPA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS.

IT'S NOT UP TO YOU ON A WHIM TO SAY I HATE LIGHT RAIL AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT SO NOBODY ELSE SHOULD BE ABLE TO.

THAT FIGHT RESULTED IN REPUBLICANS TRYING TO SPLIT OUT THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FROM OTHER KINDS OF PROJECTS THAT THE MONEY COULD GO TO, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE, AND IF THIS SUCCEEDS, SHOULD GET STRUCK DOWN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HUGE HOLE, AND THEN MARICOPA COUNTY HAS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION.

>> HANG ON.

ON ITS FACE, THOUGH, IF THE VOTERS SAID AT ONE POINT IN TIME WITH PROP 132 SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A 60% MARGIN, AND THIS DOESN'T MEET IT, DOES IT FLY IN THE INTENT OF THE VOTERS?

>> WHAT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE VOTERS, AND I THINK CAMRYN'S POINT WAS CORRECT.

WHAT WAS SOLD TO THE VOTERS IS THIS APPLIES TO STATEWIDE MEASURES THE SAME AS THE LEGISLATURE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE PHOENIX CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO RAISE A TAX, THEY DON'T NEED A TWO-THIRDS VOTE BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT APPLIES ONLY TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SAME THING HERE.

THE UNDERSTANDING WAS THIS APPLIED, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HIKE CIGARETTE TAXES, YEARS AND YEARS AGO TO PAY FOR HEALTH PROGRAMS.

THAT WOULD NOT PASS BECAUSE IT REQUIRED 60% VOTE.

DIDN'T PASS WITH 60% AT THE TIME.

THE IDEA IS TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO IMPOSE THE STATEWIDE TAXES.

THAT'S THE ISSUE THERE.

WHAT WAS THE INTENT TO VOTERS, GIVE ME THREE POLLSTERS, I'LL GIVE YOU 60 OPINIONS WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE DEALING WITH.

MARICOPA COUNTY, A LOT OF COUNTIES ARE FUNDING TRANSPORTATION THROUGH SALES TAXES.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE HAVE AN 18 CENT A GALLON GASOLINE TAX THAT'S NO ONE'S WANTED TO RAISE SINCE 1991.

THAT IS A TRUE USER FEE.

NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH IT.

WHY IS THE FACT THAT WHEN I GO IN AND I BUY A CANDY BAR AT A STORE THAT'S SUBJECT TO THE STATE SALES TAX, WHY AM I PAYING FOR THAT?

MAYBE I DON'T HAVE A CAR.

IT NEEDS TO BE A LARGER DISCUSSION.

NOBODY WANTED TO DEAL WITH IT WHICH IS WHY WE'RE IN COURT WITH THE MARICOPA COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE SAYING WE SHOULD FUND ROADS AND NOTHING ELSE.

>> THAT'S ONE LAWSUIT TO TALK ABOUT.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, AND WE'VE GOT A LAWSUIT FILED THIS WEEK DEALING WITH PROP 139.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT, JEREMY?

>> THAT WAS THE ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT THAT PASSED WITH OVER 60%, AT LEAST.

NOT THAT THAT IS A NECESSITY HERE.

THERE'S A LOT LESS DRAMA IN THIS ISSUE.

FEWER LEGAL ISSUES, PROP 139 AMENDED THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION TO FETAL VIABILITY CONSIDERED AROUND 24 WEEKS BUT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY REPEAL LAWS THAT TARGET IT.

THE 15-WEEK BAN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN 2022 SIGNED BY THEN GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY, FLIES IN THE FACE OF THE NEW ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT OF PROP 139.

THEY HAVE TO FILE A LAWSUIT AND THE JUDGE IS GOING TO SAY YES, IT VIOLATES PROP 139, I'M GOING TO OVERTURN IT.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GET THAT FAR FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN SUPPORT OF PROP 139.

IMMEDIATELY FILED A STIPULATION SAYING WE AGREED, THIS LAW VIOLATES THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION, WILL NOT BE ENFORCED AT ANY LEVEL IN THE STATE AND WE HAVE ABORTION PROVIDERS IGNORING THE 15-WEEK BAN BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS IT IS UNENFORCEABLE NOW.

>> YOU MAY NOT HAVE STATE REGULATION UNLESS IS A LEGITIMATE STATE INTEREST.

IN OTHER WORDS, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU COULD SAY ONLY DOCTORS CAN PERFORM ABORTIONS.

I THINK THERE'S AN UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE QUEST BECOMES, IS A 15-WEEK BAN LEGITIMATE STATE INTEREST?

PEOPLE ARE SAYING, LIKE CATHY HARROD FOR THE CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY.

AFTER 15 WEEKS A WOMAN'S LIFE IS MORE IN DANGER.

A LEGITIMATE STATE INTEREST.

WHAT IS THAT EXCEPTION FOR LEGITIMATE STATE NEEDS?

REMEMBER, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP.

THERE ARE DOZENS OF ABORTION LAWS ON THE BOOKS.

PARENTAL CONSENT, 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD, MANDATORY ULTRASOUND, AND EACH OF THESE, ONCE THE LAWSUIT IS OVER, HAS TO BE FOUGHT WITH YET ANOTHER LEGAL, AS DECLARATORY JUDGMENT TO HAVE THE COURT SAY THIS FITS WITH WHAT THE CONSTITUTION PROTECTS AND THIS DOES NOT?

I'M SURE THERE'S A VOTER AND I'M PROBABLY ONE OF THEM, I VOTED FOR A PARTICULAR THING, WHY DO WE HAVE TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY ON LAWSUITS TO SUDDENLY DISSEMBLE WHAT IT IS WE VOTED TO ACHIEVE?

WHY DO WE HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME?

I HATE TO LOOK AT YOU AND ASK THAT QUESTION, CAMRYN, YOU HAVEN'T SPOKEN LATELY.

>> NOT EVERYONE AGREES ON IT, AND PEOPLE WHO LIKE ABORTION BUT DON'T LIKE WHAT'S ON THE BOOKS WANT TO HAVE THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW, AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE ABORTION WANT TO FIGHT BACK, AND DON'T WANT TO SAY THE FIGHT IS OVER EVEN IF VOTERS DID APPROVE THE BALLOT MEASURE AND THERE IS TWEEKING THAT COULD BE DONE, I THINK ALSO WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COMING IN, MIGHT BE CONCERN FROM PROPONENTS OF THE BOERGDZ MEASURE THAT HE'LL TRY TO DO SOMETHING OR REPUBLICANS DONE WITH THE ABORTION FIGHT AND TO JEREMY'S POINT, WILL BE FUNNY TO PUT A TAX ON ABORTION THAT COULD FUND MARICOPA COUNTY.

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

WHILE TRUMP SAID HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN, FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT REACTIVATING THE COMSTOCK ACT, WHICH PROHIBITS SENDING CERTAIN OBSCENE MATERIALS AND ABORTION MATERIALS ACROSS STATE LINES.

MOST ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED WITH DRUGS, NOT SURGICAL.

IF, IN FACT, THEY REINSTATE THE COMSTOCK ACT, DOES OUR RIGHT TO ABORTION TRUMP THE FACT WE CAN'T GET THE DRUGS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE?

WE'RE NOT MANUFACTURING MIFEPRISTONE HERE IN ARIZONA.

THERE IS LEGITIMATE REASONS TO GET INTO ALL THIS.

>> WHAT WE'RE SAYING HERE IS NOTHING IS AS SIMPLE AS IT SEEMED.

BECAUSE THE VOTERS PASSED A PARTICULAR PROPOSITION, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO SOLVE A SET OF PROBLEMS VOTERS WANT TO SOCHLT THERE'S ALWAYS A BACK DOOR PROBLEM.

>> WITH THE 15-WEEK BAN, IT WILL BE PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY, OTHER FOLKS, MIGHT CHALLENGE THAT IN COURT.

THIS WAS CRAFTED IN A WAY TO VERY SPECIFICALLY DEFEAT THE 15-WEEK BAN, IF OTHER LAWSUITS, THE ONES THAT HOWIE MENTIONED, THAT'S WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.

IS THERE A COMPELLING STATE INTEREST FOR THIS.

VIOLATE THE RIGHT TO ABORTION THAT'S IN THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION, THAT'S WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT.

>> STAY TUNED, THE BATTLE WILL CONTINUE AND CONTINUE AND CONTINUE.

THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T OFFICIALLY COME INTO SESSION UNTIL NEXT MONTH BUT WE HAVE THE PREFILING OF BILLS.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE PREFILING OF BILLS.

>> LAWMAKERS FILING LEGISLATION THEY WANT TO INTRODUCE AND CAN DO IT NOW AND IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS LEADING UP TO WHEN THE LEGISLATURE KICKS OFF, AND THE BILLS GET ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEES AND GO DOWN TO PROCESS OF THE BILL ON CAPITOL HILL.

IF YOU KNOW THE SONG.

WAYNE WAS LIKE THERE'S A BILL IN THE HOPPER.

I WAS LIKE WHERE?

THERE WASN'T BUT THERE IS NOW.

THERE IS FOUR.

>> AND WHY PREFILE?

WHY NOT WAIT FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

>> PART OF IT IS TIMING.

THERE ARE HOUSE AND SENATE RULES.

IN THE HOUSE, AFTER THE FIRST WEEK, YOU ARE LIMITED TO THE NUMBER OF BILLS YOU CAN FILE.

IF YOU CAN GET A BUNCH OF BILLS IN ON A PREFILE BASIS, YOU CAN FILE 723 BILLS AS AN INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKER, BUT YOU CAN'T IF IT'S FEBRUARY 1 AND SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT.

JUST BECAUSE FILE A BILL ON ONE SUBJECT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO STICK TO THE SUBJECT.

YOU HAVE STRIKE EVERYTHING AMENDMENTS.

SO YOU'VE GOT A BILL ON TECHNICAL CHANGE IN THE LAW THAT YOU WANT MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS SO IN APRIL YOU GET THE BRILLIANT IDEA OF SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO.

WE DO A STRIKER, NAMED AFTER THE FACT THE FIRST LINE IN THE BILL SAYS STRIKE EVERYTHING AFTER THE ENACTING CLAUSE, YOU STRIP EVERYTHING OUT AND PUT A WHOLE NEW SUBJECT IN IT.

A BILL WITH GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS IS NOW DEALING WITH A ROAD TAX.

THE MORE BILLS YOU HAVE AS A SPONSOR, THE MORE CHANCE YOU HAVE TO AFFECT THE PROCESS.

I DIDN'T SAY DEMOCRACY WAS PRETTY.

>> WE NEVER SAID THAT'S THE CASE.

ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS WE DID THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, WE HAD A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE ON BOTH SIDES WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO CONTINUE AND SEEING THE PREFILED BILLS, THE LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THE SAME ROADBLOCKS WE HAD LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE PASSING BILL AND THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO LIKELY VETO IT.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE THE EXACT SAME THING THIS YEAR THAT WE SAW LAST YEAR?

IT APPEARS WE ARE WITH THE PREFILED BILLS?

>> I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO SAY LIKELY.

ONE OF THEM IS TEMPORARY LICENSING FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.

THE OTHER THING IS THINGS KATIE HOBBS VETOED AT LEAST ONCE.

TWO ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS FROM SENATOR JOHN KAVANAGH, TRYING TO BAN TRANSGENDER STUDENTS USING REST ROOMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE OTHER ON TEACHERS'S USES OF PRONOUNS AND COUNTING EARLY BALLOTS.

THE OTHER TWO ARE VETOED, JOHN KAVANAGH KNOWS THAT THE SECOND HE FILED THEM.

THE POINT IS TO MAKE THAT AN ISSUE AND GET IT IN THE PUBLIC.

THE EARLY BALLOTS ONE, TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE WE JUST HAD AN ELECTION AND TOOK FOREVER TO COUNT BALLOTS AND SENATOR J.D.

MESNARD WANTS TO MAKE, IT NORMALLY PEOPLE GET EARLY BALLOTS, YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY, STICK IT IN THE BOX AND WALK OFF, BUT IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO COUNT THOSE BECAUSE ELECTION OFFICIALS CAN'T COUNT THEM UNTIL A COUPLE DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION, YOU HAVE TO VERIFY THE SIGNATURES AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM.

IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO DO IT FRIDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, OTHERWISE YOU HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND TURN IN YOUR BALLOT.

KATIE HOBBS VETOED THAT IN THE PAST AND MADE IT CLEAR SHE WILL VETO THAT AGAIN.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT, SINCE WE JUST HAD ELECTION, IS AT THE FOREFRONT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> CAMRYN?

>> HE WILL SENT IT UP TO HER AND THEN POTENTIALLY TO THE VOTERS.

THE ISSUE WITH THAT IS YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER ELECTION CYCLE FOR ANYTHING TO GO INTO EFFECT BECAUSE THE VOTERS HAVE TO APPROVE IT IN THE NEXT ELECTION AND WOULD AFFECT THE ELECTION AFTER THAT.

IT COULD BE A CAMPAIGN POINT, DANG, KATIE HOBBS IS SO ANNOYING, WE HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR ELECTION RESULTS AND IT'S HER FAULT.

THE BILL JOHN KAVANAGH FILED, HE HAD AN ISSUE LAST YEAR WITH KEN BENNETT.

KEN BENNETT STYMIED THE LEGISLATION WHICH IS ANTI-WOKE, PRONOUN USE, SHARED BATHROOMS, KEN BENNETT WAS LIKE I DON'T FEEL RIGHT ABOUT THIS.

THEY KICKED HIM OUT AND HAVE STRONGER REPUBLICAN PRESENCE AND NOW IF THEY WANTED TO, COULD SEND THAT TO VOTERS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE FULL REPUBLICAN FORCE TO SEND IT TO VOTERS, AND THEY HAVE IT NOW.

IT DIDN'T APPEAR ON THE BALLOT LAST TIME.

I HAVEN'T TALKED TO KAVANAUGH ABOUT IT YET, BUT MAYBE IT WILL GET SENT TO THE VOTERS.

>> HE'S RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WOKE DEMOCRATS AND THEY DIDN'T GET THE MESSAGE FROM THE 2024 ELECTION, BUT I THINK HE'S FIGURING, HAVE IT ON THE BALLOT THE SAME YEAR KATIE IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

I THINK I SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING, THE SAME THING SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN WANTS TO RUN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THEY'RE ALL USING IT.

YOU CAN MAKE A LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT WHAT GOT DECIDED LAST MONTH BY VOTERS WAS RELATED TO TRANSGENDER RIGHTS.

THE ISSUE OF QUOTE, UNQUOTE BIOLOGICAL BOYS, TRANSGENDER GIRLS PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS SPORTS.

THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLIC FEELING AND REPUBLICANS FIGURED OUT THERE'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT WHO'S USING WHAT BATHROOM, YOU GO INTO A STALL, YOU USE IT.

ISSUES FOR SHOWERS, WE HAD A STATE SENATOR DEFEATED WHO SAID CAN YOU HAVE BIOLOGICAL BOYS USING THE SAME SHOWERS AS GIRLS, YOU PUT UP SHOWER CURTAINS, PEOPLE SAID NO.

CHRISTIE MARSH IS NOT BACK.

TRANSGENDER ISSUES, LONG AFTER ASSUMING IMMIGRATION GOES AWAY, THE ECONOMY GETS BETTER, THAT'S NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN 2026.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE GAINED BY BRINGING BACK SOMETHING THAT IS VETOED AND BRINGING IT BACK AGAIN.

>> SOMETHING TO BE GAINED IF YOU ARE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER AND INTRODUCE A BILL IF YOU KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS NOT GOING TO PASS, THAT'S STILL YOUR ISSUE, YOU WANT TO PROMOTE IT.

OBVIOUSLY THEY LACK THE VOTES TO SEND ANYTHING TO THE BALLOT THE WAY REPUBLICANS DO.

SOME PEOPLE FILE DOZENS OF BILLS KNOWING NOT A SINGLE ONE IS GOING TO GO ANYWHERE, BUT THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF A PRETTY LARGE BUDGET SURPLUS COMING UP, AND THE QUESTION IS WHEN THERE'S MONEY TO BE PLAYED WITH, PEOPLE PLAY WITH IT AT THE LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF SURPLUS AND WHAT'S THE EFFECT OF THAT?

>> IT CREATES MORE CHAOS BECAUSE PEOPLE GET EXCITED AND THEY'RE LIKE, OH, WE HAVE MONEY TO SPEND.

AND DIG IN THEIR HEELS, NOW WE CAN AFFORD WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

WE DON'T HAVE MONEY THIS YEAR, AH, SHUCKS, I DON'T CAMPAIGN FOR WHATEVER PROJECTS I CARE ABOUT.

IT VERY MUCH WILL AFFECT BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

I THINK DEMOCRATS WILL START OFF WITH HARD-LINE ISSUES THAT THEY KNOW THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL LIKE KATIE HOBBS WITH HER BUDGET PROPOSAL.

WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF THE EXTRA ESA EXPANSION.

I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A NON-STARTER.

THERE'S ROOM TO PLAY.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

>> MAYBE $600 MILLION.

PROP 423 PUTS $100 MILLION INTO K-12.

THAT SELF-DESTRUCTS NEXT YEAR, IF THEY DON'T RENEW IT.

YOU HAVE INCREASING ENROLLMENT IN THE ARIZONA HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT SYSTEM.

HAVE YOU RETIREMENT COSTS, PENSION COSTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTIONS AND DPS, AND SO IT'S GOING TO GET EATEN UP REAL QUICKLY, AND YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO DO TAX BREAKS.

TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN WE HAD EXTRA MONEY, THE FREEDOM CAUCUS PUSHED THROUGH A MEASURE TO GIVE $750 TAX REBATES TO PEOPLE BECAUSE RATHER THAN SPENDING, WE'D RATHER DO THIS.

NOW WE GET STATE CREDIT.

IF YOU JUST SAW, GOVERNOR HOBBS PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE TAKING CREDIT FOR THE $750 TAX REBATE SHE DIDN'T WANT.

EVERYBODY IS A WINNER WHEN YOU HAVE THAT STUFF.

>> MONEY WORKS, WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

THERE IS A CRITICAL ISSUE I NEED EVERYBODY TO WEIGH IN ON.

WE GOT A BIG FOOTBALL GAME TOMORROW.

WE GOT ASU PLAYING IOWA STATE.

HE'S CRINGING WHEN I SAY THIS, HOWIE IS, WHO'S GOING TO WIN THIS GAME?

>> YOU'RE ASSUMING -- >> THAT YOU KNOW THERE'S A GAME.

>> YOU'RE ASSUMING I CARE.

I THINK IOWA STATE HAS AN EDGE.

THEY'VE GOT MORE EXPERIENCE DOING THIS, IF YOU WILL.

THIS IS A WHOLE NEW CONFERENCE.

>> I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

>> I WOULD SAY IOWA STATE AS MUCH AS WE'RE SITTING HERE IN ASU-OWNED STUDIO.

>> JEREMY?

>> THOUGH I'M A WILDCAT ALUM, I WILL SAY ASU, STATE AND CONFERENCE SOLIDARITY.

>> CAMRYN?

>> I'M NOT FROM HERE AND COULDN'T FIND IOWA ON A MAP.

>> NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS BUT WE'LL TOSS A COIN AND COME UP WITH THE ANSWER.

THANK YOU LADY AND GENTLEMEN.

HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

THAT IS IT FOR ME.

TED SIMONS IS BACK ON MONDAY.

HAVE YOURSELF A GREAT WEEKEND.

- Hello, I'm Alice Ferris, and we hope you enjoyed "Arizona Horizon."

For more than 40 years, viewers in Arizona have relied on "Arizona Horizon" for in-depth coverage of issues of concern to our community.

Host Ted Simons has led