>>> COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

IT'S THE JOURNALIST ROUND TABLE.

WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORY AND A CONGRESSMAN DISMISSING MEDICAID CANCELLATIONS AS WINING AND BEDWETTING.

>> ARIZONA HORIZON MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR FRIENDS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S TIME FOR THE JOURNALIST ROUND TABLE.

FROM THE ARIZONA MIRROR.

AND LORIE ROBERTS FROM THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC.

WE WILL HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'LL START WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

DAVID HAS MADE A COMMENT TO THE ARIZONA PUBLIC REGARDING MEDICAID CONCERNS.

INTERESTING COMMENTS.

>> IT IS.

IT DISMISSED THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY LARGE CUTS TO MEDICAID THAT REPUBLICANS AND PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST ENACTED OVER THE SUMMER.

THESE ARE CUTS AND CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMS ESTIMATED TO KICK 15 MILLION PEOPLE OFF.

400,000 OR 350,000 FOR A SENSE OF SCALE IN ARIZONA.

WE HAVE 7.5 MILLION PEOPLE.

TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE ON ACCESS.

THIS IS OUR SAFE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

WE HAVE 2 MILLION PEOPLE ON THERE.

KICKOFF 400,000.

YOU APPROACH 20, 25% OF THE MEDICAID ROLES.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT GETTING REMOVED BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES REPUBLICANS MAD TO BACKFILL THESE TAX CUTS FOR THE NEXT DECADE -- PERMANENT TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AND BUSINESS.

>> JIM DID A NICE JOB.

HE DIDN'T USE THE WORDS WINING AND BEDWETTING ONCE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS GIVEN THE NUMBER OF ARIZONANS ON MEDICAID.

THEY FEEL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TREAT THEM WITH THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

THE MORE YOU HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN WITH CONDITIONS THAT CAN'T PAY.

THE LEVEL GOES UP AND MANY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN.

THEY WILL HAVE TO CLOSE PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS AND THEY ARE WORRIED THEY WILL SHUTDOWN.

>> YOU MENTIONED, THESE ARE NOT CUTS BUT A SLOWDOWN OF GROWTH.

>> IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE A CUT TO THE PERSON WHO DOESN'T HAVE CARE.

>> PEOPLE LIVE-IN THE DISS TRULY AND ACCURATELY DEPICT.

THEY ARE FAR MORE INTERESTED IN THE FACT THEY BELIEVE THERE ARE TAX CUTS FOR MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE COMING FROM THE MONEY IT WASN'T ABOUT THE BEDWETTERS.

HE VOTED FOR THIS BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL HE HAD 4 TO $5 TRILLION TO THAT SHIP SENDING IT IN.

YOU ARE PROVIDING TAX CUTS THAT WILL INCREASE THE BURDEN ON YOUR GRANDCHILDREN AND MINE.

>> HE CALLED IT MISCALORIE ARE RESPONSIBLE.

>> HE WILL HAVE TO GO AND TALK ABOUT IT.

THE WAY THIS WILL GROW THE DEFICIT.

FOR ALL OF THE CAMPAIGNING.

THIS FISCAL CHAMPION WAYS TO GET IT IN AMERICA AS A WAY NOT JUST AVOID RAISING TAXES BUT FACILITATE YOU GOT CUTTING TAXES.

>> THE EXPANSION WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE DIALED BACK.

>> THAT WAS A QUOTE.

>> YOU COULD DEBATE THERE WAS A TRIGGER IN THERE.

A LOT OF THE HEALTHCARE FOLKS ARE SAYING.

PEOPLE IN THE HEALTHCARE POLICY WORLD.

THOSE WHO HAVE ACCESS AND MEDICAID THEY WON'T STOP GETTING SICK.

THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

THAT MEANS, FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSURANCE, PRIVATE INSURANCE, THOSE PEOPLE POLICY RATES ARE GOING UP.

>> ONCE THEY GET SIX AND SHOW UP.

SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR THAT.

THE REASON THE TOOTHBRUSH IS $750.

THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.

WE WILL ALL PAY FOR IT.

>> UNCOMPENSATED CARE WAS THE BIG ARGUMENT THE FIRST TIME AROUND.

DOES THAT SUGGEST HE MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED.

WE HEARD HE WAS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

YOU HAVE THE WHOLE STATE TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> YOU HEAR THIS EVERY FOUR YEARS.

HE PUTS HIS NAME OUT THERE.

HE STICKS WITH THE DISTRICT.

IF HIS DISTRICT HADN'T CHANGED A BIT IN THE MAKEUP HE MIGHT DO IT FAR MORE REPUBLICANS ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE AN UPCOMING ELECTION AND DOUBLE DIGITS.

VERY DIFFICULT FOR ANY DEMOCRAT CRAT TO OVERCOME.

THIS IS ACTUALLY AN INDICATION OF THAT.

IF HE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS IN RURAL ARIZONA AND NO HOSPITALS TO BE AT.

HE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT AND COMING OFF OF MEDICARE.

>> IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

>> I AGREE WITH THE SIGNAL.

>> WE HEAR HIS NAME POP-UP FOR GOVERNOR EVERY CYCLE.

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

IT'S REALLY POOR.

YOU CAN SEE ANY SEE PEOPLE RALLYING AROUND HIM.

DAVID JUMPED IN AND RAN AS A THIRD WHEEL IDENTIFYING STUDENTS ENROLLED THEY QUICKLY SAID WHAT WAS THIS ABOUT.

>> A RECORDS REQUEST FROM 12 NEWS.

>> YEAH.

>> WE ASKED FOR THIS INFORMATION AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SENT IT AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS APART OF THE DATA FOR SOME OF THE FAMILIES THAT RECEIVED ESAs.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD SEND OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS.

THAT STUFF IS SUPPOSED TO BE PRIVATE.

THE WORLD ISN'T SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHO GOT WHAT.

>> THERE IS A WORKSHEET INVOLVED.

>> THAT CAN WRITE NOTES TO THEMSELVES SOUNDS LIKE A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING WAS THE REACTION OF KIMBERLY.

SHE SAID IT WAS A VENDETTA AGAINST ESA FAMILIES AND ATTACK ON VOUCHERS, WHAT?

YOU CAN SAY A LOT ABOUT TOM HORN TO SAY HE'S ANTI-SCHOOL CHOICE IS BONKERS.

>> I'D IMAGE IN HE LOOKED THE WRONG WAY HIS CRITICS WOULD SAY HE'S AGAINST VOUCHERS.

>> THIS IS THE WAY THEY WILL ATTACK HIM.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE ARE WORKING ON THE NEW VOUCHER.

THE HANDBOOK FOR THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

WHATEVER GUARDRAILS EXIST FOR THE PROGRAM.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SAW FOLKS AND ALLIES ON THE SCHOOL CHOICE.

THE EXTREME CHOICE OF THE SCHOOL CHOICE MOVEMENT WHO WENT AFTER HORN.

THEY WERE AIMED AT MAKING SURE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST.

YOU LEARN TO DRIVE A LUXURY CAR.

YOU KNOW, GRAND PIANOS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED IN COMPETENCE.

>> IT'S NOT A.

YOU SEND IT TO A MEDIA ORGANIZATION.

TO LORIE'S POINT, A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE OTHER INFORMATION THAT'S INCLUDED.

IT WASN'T A TON OF PEOPLE IT DOESN'T SEEM MALICIOUS.

I WASN'T THERE.

IT'S NO ONE OTHER THAN THE ACCIDENT.

>> YOU COULD DENY IT.

VERY CONSERVATIVE.

THEY HAVE AGGRAVATED THE ESA COMMUNITY.

BY SUGGESTING THEY DON'T SEE THAT AS HIS ROLE.

CASE AND POINT, WHEN THIS ESA PROGRAM WAS 10,000, 11,000 STUDENTS AND LIMITED TO CERTAIN CLASS OF STUDENTS HE HAD 100,000 STUDENTS THIS IS WHY THEY BRING IN KIMBERLY THERE WAS A GUILTY PLEA FROM A COLORADO MAN ACCUSED OF GETTING FUNDS FOR 40,000 KIDS AND THEY WEREN'T ALL HIS.

HORN SAID QUICKLY, YEP, THAT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT US CATCHING THESE GUYS.

DOES THAT HELP THE STREET CRED?

>> VERY CLEARLY.

KIMBERLY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE AND THE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

THIS IS SOMETHING TOM RAN ON IN THE PAST TO LORIE ES POINT HE HASN'T BEEN A SHEIKING VIOLET.

HE RAN ADDS ON TV.

>> YOU SHOULD SIGN OVER A VOUCHER AND NOT BE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE.

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THAT IDEA THAT WAS INTERESTING AFTER THE TWO FOLKS IN COLORADO GOT CONVICTED OF THIS.

NOT JUST THOSE THAT WEREN'T THERE.

YOU HAD HIM TAKING CREDIT AND BIG FOOT CHRIS MAYS.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE GUARDRAILS ON IT ARE LEADING TO MAJOR CASES OF FRAUD AND THIS WAS ONE EXAMPLE.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RAL ISN'T HELPING WHEN THEY DENIED FUNDS.

ALL OF THE APPEALS.

YOU WON THEM ALL.

HE'S FIRING THAT DIRECTION.

>> YEAH, CLEARLY NOT THRILLED.

OF COURSE FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES.

PERHAPS NOT.

HE'S ALSO TRYING TO DEFEND RISK BASE AUDITING.

ANY PURCHASE OF 10,000 OR LESS GOING THROUGH.

OTHERWISE IT'S A BAG LOG.

THEY CHECK IT AS THEY CAN.

AS THEY TRY TO GET THE MONEY BACK THEY BELIEVE IT'S A GREAT SOLUTION.

THE STAFF DOESN'T EXIST EARLIER.

THEY CHECK THEM FROM ALL OF THOSE WITH THE ESAs.

>> YOU HAVE TO WONDER BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL STEPS.

NORMALLY, IF YOU GROW THE PROGRAM YOU MUST OVERSEE THE PROGRAM AND GIVEN THEM NOTHING EXTRA.

THAT MEANS, THEY DON'T WANT OVERSITE OVERSIGHT OR COMPLETE CONTROL.

>> DO THESE STORIES UNMASK -- I KNOW THE ANSWER BUT I'LL ASK ANY WAY.

DOES THE GUARDRAIL, THE TINIEST GUARDRAIL COULD BE A POSSIBILITY IN THE NEXT SESSION?

>> IN AN ELECTION YEAR, WITH THIS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE ASKING FOR GUARDRAILS FOR A FEW YEARS.

WILL THEY GIVE HER A VICTORY, A TINY ONE, NO.

>> THAT'S EXPECTED.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I AGREE.

THIS WAS A POINT OF CONTENTION IN JUNE.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET, WE HAVE COMPETING BUDGETS.

THEY HAD MONEY SISTER STAFF FOR ESA ADMINISTRATORS.

THE GOVERNORS OFFICE SAID WE'LL GIVE YOU THAT.

WE WANT GUARDRAILS.

WE WANT SOME RESTRICTIONS.

>> NOPE, NEVER MIND THAT WAS IN NONELECTIONS.

YOU HEAD INTO AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> REPORTING IN GENERAL, IT'S CONSTANT.

>> YEAH, WE HEARD ABOUT $1,000 LEGO SETS FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

AS MENTIONED THE GRAND PIANO.

MADE BY FAMILIES GETTING.

>> 1% AND LOOK AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEY ARE FULL OF FRAUD.

IF THEY ARE TRULY YOU AUDIT THOSE TOO.

ITSELF'S LIKE THEY SAY, WHETHER IT'S FRAUD OVER HERE, LOOK THE OTHER WAY TO BUY LEATHER CORSETS OF CHILDREN OR THEIR MOTHERS AND THE DIAMOND RINGS AND PA TESTS.

THEY ARE UNWILLING TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL PROBLEM.

>> APPARENTLY GENDER IDEOLOGY WITH THE FEDS AND THE IDEA MOVING FED FUNDING.

YOU WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

>> WAS IT $3 MILLION FOR ARIZONA.

$200 MILLION NATIONWIDE.

>> THEY ARE EFFECTED BY THIS.

IT'S THE TOUCH ADMINISTRATIONS CONTINUING THROUGHOUT THE IDEA.

THE DIVERSITY OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND ANY REFERENCE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT.

WHETHER THEY ARE QUEER AND JUST COMPLETELY SCRUB THAT FROM EXISTENCE.

THIS IS THE LATEST.

>> AND THE STATE PROGRAM THAT'S FOCUSED ON DIVERSITY AND REFERENCES AND GENDER NONCONFIRMING YOUTH.

ASKING FOR PRONOUNS.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY WANT ANYONE ASKING ANYONES PRONOUNS.

>> PREVENTING PREGNANCY AND STDs WERE ALSO IN THERE.

>> THEY DEAL WITH STUDENTS WITH QUESTIONS AND ISSUES.

IT WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED TO HAVE A BUNCH OF ISSUES LIKE THAT IN A PROGRAM.

>> I SHOULD CORRECT MYSELF.

THE PURPOSE WAS TO EDUCATE ON AB STANANCE.

>> I HAVE TO WONDER WHAT IF THEY SAY THEY WON'T DO IT.

IT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET.

I WONDER IF WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION.

FINE, IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MANY MAKE USAGE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

NOT THE OVERALL PROGRAM IN THE SCHOOL AND ONE VERY LIMITED PROGRAM.

I WONDER WHEN THE 60 DAYS ARE UP, THEY SAY GNAW, WE'LL LET IT GO.

>> THE DEA AGENTS ARE SET TO DO WHAT?

>> THEY ARE PATROLLING STREETS OR PICKING UP TRASH.

THEY ARE APART OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN ON WASHINGTON D.C. WE HAVE THIS CRIMINAL EMERGENCY THERE.

MEANWHILE, HERE IN ARIZONA WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF AGENTS.

AS REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE THIS ELECTION.

THIS IS FEINT FENTANYL CENTRAL.

IT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE YOU TAKEAWAY DEA AGENTS FROM THE STATE.

CHRIS WORKS WITH THEM TO DO DRUG PROSECUTIONS AND SHE SAID THIS WOULD IMPACT HER ABILITY TO DO THAT.

>> INCREASINGLY TAKING ON THE DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

>> DOING EXACTLY THAT.

>> THIS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT IT ON PAR ARIZONA AND DEA AGENTS IS AN IMPORTANT PLACE.

>> BORDER CROSSINGS THROUGH THE PORT OF ENTRY.

THEY ARE TRACKING DOWN THE DRUGS THEY MOVE IN THE COUNTRY.

WHATEVER IT IS.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES THE REGULAR JOB LIKE CHASING PEOPLE AROUND WASHINGTON.

>> SHE ALSO SAID, GIVE THEM BACK NOW.

SHE'S NOT DOING WHAT SHE WANTS TO.

>> COMING UP NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

>> WHAT DOES IT DO FOR HER?

>> I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT DOES.

20 LAWSUITS.

AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BUT SEEMS LIKE HER CRED ON TAKING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW.

I'M NOT SURE ONE MORE ADDS TO THAT.

IT'S A HUGE ISSUE YOU HAVE THEM HELP CONTROL THE FLOW OF THAT.

YOU WANT THOSE FOLKS TO DO THEIR JOBS HEREIN STEADY OF WHATEVER IT IS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU NEVER LOOK AT POLLS.

WHAT YOU SEE IN POLLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THEY ARE COOLING ON PRESIDENT TRUMP.

CONCERNED ABOUT HOW FAR HE'S GOING AND IMMIGRATION AND OTHER THINGS.

I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BE A RIGHT FOR THE PICKING WITH SOMEONE LIKE CHRIS MAYS.

SHE'S GONE AFTER HIM LIKE THE FENTANYL THING.

WE HAVE IT COMING THROUGH THE PORTS OF ENTRY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BORDER CRACKDOWN HASN'T STOPPED.

WE NEED THEM TO GET INTO THE COUNTRY MOST PEOPLE CAN APPRECIATE THAT.

I THINK IT COULD HELP MARGINALLY.

TAKEN AS YOU SAY OVERALL ON THE 25 LAWSUITS SHE FILED.

INDEPENDENCE ARE INDEED.

WE ASSUME THE ECONOMY AND IF THEY ARE COOLING ON HIM THEY MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR THE PICKING.

>> IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE IT OFF THE BORDER.

>> I DON'T SEE HOW IT WAS VERY SHORTSIGHTED.

>> WE WILL WRAP IT UP WITH YOU AND JUSTICE JUSTINE.

SHE MISSED A HEARING AND COULD BE LOOKING AT CONTEMPT.

>> SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE IN PERSON.

THE JUDGE SAID I MADE IT CLEAR AND HER ATTORNEYS WHO ARE NOT HER ATTORNEYS ANY MORE.

WE TOLD HER THE SAME THING.

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.

SHE DECIDED TO TAKE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AS PEOPLE LOVE TO DO TO TELL ON THEMSELVES.

POSTED A PICTURE OF HERSELF AT A TURNING POINT EVENT FOR CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2026 CAMPAIGN.

BEING FRONT AN CENTER AND HOW GREAT IT IS TO BE HERE IN PHOENIX.

THIS IS 130 MILES FROM TUCSON.

>> HER ATTORNEY WITHDREW FROM THE CASE ALL INDICATIONS ARE MONEY IS AN ISSUE SHE'S TRYING TO RAISE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> AS JIM SAID, THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF FACING CONTEMPT.

SOMETIMES NEXT MONTH IN SEPTEMBER SHE HAS TO IN ADDITION TO WHAT SHE HAS TO EXPLAIN ALL READY.

WHY SHE WASN'T THERE THIS WEEK AND JUST, IT'S NOT A GREAT LOOK.

GENERALLY YOU DO IT.

>> WELL, IT USED TO BE THAT WAY DIDN'T IT.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THIS HEARING WAS CANCELED TWICE.

YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A FEDERAL JUDGE.

IF YOU WERE PERSECUTED QUOTE-UNQUOTE.

>> HERE I AM BY THE WAY.

WE ARE GETTING OUT TO VOTE.

>> AGAIN, THIS IS ALL FOR GLORIFIED TRAFFIC TICKET.

GOING FOR 70 IN A 35 ZONE.

>> YES, AND HER SAYING THE TUCSON POLICE CONSPIRED WITH LOCAL MEDIA.

RELEASING THE INFORMATION.

>> THEY LOST IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION A MONTH OR SO AFTER THE STORY BROKE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE SPRING AND DIDN'T GET, NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT.

>> YOU KNOW HOW YOU PREVENT THAT, NOT GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR.

SHE SUNK HERSELF BY CLAIMING IMMUNITY.

AFTER DISCUSSION IT WAS OVER AND ENTITLED TO DO IT WITH THE TICKET.

SHE'S THE ARCHITECT OF HER OWN DEMISE.

>> A MISUNDERSTANDING.

>> SEE IF THE JUDGE BELIEVES THAT.

>> AS FAR AS POLITICS CAN YOU REBOUND FROM THIS.

>> THERE ARE RUMORS UP IN THE VALLEY.

THEY ARE LOOKING TO RUN FOR THE LEGISLATURE BEGUN IN THE SOUTHEAST VALLEY.

I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WOULD TANK THAT EFFORT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK.

>> LIVING IN GILBERT.

>> GILBERT SENT THEIR SHARE OF PEOPLE OF HER PERSUASIONS POLITICALLY.

SHE CAN BE BACK.

I CAN NEVER SAY NEVER.

>> I DO KNOW.

>> ALL RIGHT, LORIE ESPECIALLY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND ALL OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.