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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING A STATE LAWMAKER FACING ETHICS COMPLAINT OVER ALERTING CONSTITUENTS OVER POSSIBLE IMMIGRATION RAIDS.

THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY, AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, AND JOINING US TONIGHT, HOWIE FISCHER FROM CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES.

MARY JO PITZL FROM "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM AND CAMRYN SANCHEZ FROM KJZZ RADIO.

PANEL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOWIE, START WITH YOU, ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANALISE ORTIZ, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE.

A FAIRLY RADICAL LAWMAKER, STATE SENATOR, SHE WILL ADMIT THAT.

SHE GOT A TWEET, A SOCIAL MEDIA NOTICE, THERE WERE FOLKS FROM I.C.E.

AT 15th AVENUE AND DOBBINS, ON THE SOUTH SIDE, AND SHE RETWEETED IT AND SAID, LOOK, BE AWARE, THERE ARE FOLKS HERE AND BE CAREFUL.

THE LIBS OF TikTok, A VERY CONSERVATIVE GROUP REBROADCAST IT, AND THE WHOLE CONSERVATIVE GROUP BLEW UP.

THEY SAID YOU ARE ENDANGERING PEOPLE, YOU ARE DOXING PEOPLE, YOU ARE SOMEHOW INTERFERING WITH THE ABILITY OF PEOPLE TO DO THEIR BUSINESS, NEVER MIND ALL SHE WAS REPORTING IS SOMETHING YOU OR I COULD SEE DRIVING BY AND PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

TED: AND DOZEN ETHICS COMPLAINTS FROM SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN PROMISING SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> HE'S ACCEPTED IT, THEY'LL STAND UP AGAINST THE COMMITTEE AND GET TO WORK ON IT.

PART OF THE CONCERN ON ORTIZ'S PART IS THIS IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL, AND THERE WAS A CONCERN ARE YOU GOING TO FLIP OUT THE KIDS OR TRAUMATIZE THEM, BY DOING THAT?

AS HOWIE SAID, IN ADDITION TO JUST REPEATING SOMEBODY ELSE'S TWEET, SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT ANY OF US COULD SEE AND WITNESS AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH SAYING, HEY, OUT HERE AT THE CORNER OF MILL AND BROADWAY, I SEE THIS AND THAT GOING ON.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY ETHICS COMPLAINT FILED BY HOFFMAN SAID SHE PROMOTED LAWLESSNESS.

HOW IS THIS PROMOTING LAWLESSNESS?

>> THE IDEA IS LAW ENFORCEMENT IS OBSTRUCTED FROM DOING THEIR JOB AS PEOPLE ARE WARNED, AND PEOPLE ARE WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE AREA SO THEY CAN'T COMPLETE THE RAID THE WAY THEY WANT TO.

IF ANYONE TAKES A PICTURE, DOES THAT MEAN IT'S DOXING, OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT?

DO REPUBLICANS FEEL THAT APPLIES EQUALLY WHEN REPUBLICANS DO IT.

RACHEL ALEXANDER POSTED A PHOTO OF I.C.E.

ACTIVITY.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THOUGH THE PERSON IS NOT A LAWMAKER, THE BACKLASH DOESN'T EXIST FOR THAT CASE.

TED: RIGHT.

>> THERE'S AN ACCUSATION FROM ORTIZ AND DEMOCRATS THAT IT'S POLITICAL THEATER.

>> NOT ONLY THAT, NOW YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO ARE GIVING HER DEATH THREATS.

YOU HAVE JAKE HOFFMAN AND THE FOLKS STIRRING STUFF UP.

SHE'S GETTING DEATH THREATS SHE'S INTERFERING WITH I.C.E.

WE HAVE THE ISSUE OF MASS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER SUBJECT FOR ANOTHER DAY, BUT YOU'RE GETTING INTERESTING THINGS.

ALL OF US HERE INVOLVED WITH THE MEDIA, CAMRYN CAN DO LIVE BROADCASTS ON KJZZ IF SHE IS AT THE CORNER OF 15th AVENUE AND DOBBINS AND SAYS RIGHT HERE NOW, I.C.E.

IS COMING, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE HER ARRESTED?

YOU'VE GOT SENATOR SHAWNNA BOLICK SAYING SHE IS DOXING PEOPLE.

THE DEFINITION OF DOXING UNDER STATE LAW IS PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION WITH THE INTENT TO HARASS.

THERE IS NO PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION.

SHE SAYS THERE ARE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HERE.

THIS IS PURE POLITICAL GAMES.

TED: IS IT HINDERING LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM DOING ITS JOB?

>> ACTUALLY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL TWEET.

BUT I MEAN, SOME PEOPLE SAY YEAH, BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HOLD BACK, THEY MIGHT CANCEL WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A PUBLIC NOTICE OUT ABOUT THAT, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- WE HAVEN'T SEEN PEOPLE PUTTING A HUMAN BODY BLOCK IN FRONT OF I.C.E.

OFFICERS SO THEY CAN'T GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS.

>> THAT WOULD BE OBJECTION.

>> EXACTLY.

>> IF YOU TRY TO KEEP I.C.E.

FROM TAKING SOMEONE AWAY, BLOCKING VEHICLES, THAT'S OBSTRUCTION.

SIMPLY REPORTING WHAT IS PUBLICLY SEEN ISN'T OBSTRUCTION.

TED: COULD IT BE OBSTRUCTION -- LOOK AT BOTH SIDES HERE.

COULD IT BE OBSTRUCTION BY SAYING THEY'RE OVER HERE, THAT MEANS THOSE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DETAINED IN SOME WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM KNOW NOT TO GO OVER THERE.

>> IF I WERE AN ATTORNEY FOR THE REPUBLICANS, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD FOCUS ON.

IF YOU GO INTO A STING OPERATION AND SAY THAT GUY'S A FED, YOU MESSED UP THE WHOLE OPERATION.

IN THIS CASE, THE ARGUMENT IS I.C.E., IF THEY'RE TRYING TO DO A RAID AND YOU'RE WARNING PEOPLE, THEY'RE NOT FALLING INTO THE TRAP.

IS IT ILLEGAL?

I THINK THAT'S A PRECEDENT THAT HASN'T BEEN STRETCH.

MIGHT BE A STRETCH, BUT HAVE TO PLAY OUT IN A COURT OF LAW.

>> AGAIN, THESE WERE NOT UNDERCOVER OFFICERS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED.

THEY WEREN'T INTERFERING WITH A DRUG BUST SAYING CHARLIE, THIS GUY IS A FED, I KNOW WHERE HE WORKS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WEARING VESTS WITH I.C.E.

ON IT.

IN TERMS OF INTERFERENCE, THE CONCERN OF SENATOR ORTIZ AND A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS, SOMETIMES IN THE ROUNDUPS, THEY'RE ROUNDING UP PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE LEGALLY, PEOPLE WHO HAPPEN TO BE BROWN, AND PART OF THE WARNING WAS, LOOK, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE YOU MAY GET SWEPT UP IN THE RAID.

TED: ETHICS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THIS -- >> BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY.

SHE'S GOING TO FORWARD THIS COMPLAINT TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY IN CASE THERE WERE FEDERAL LAWS VIOLATEED?

>> YES, IN FACT.

THIS IS THE SECOND REFERRAL ON THIS TOPIC TO THE SENATE ATTORNEY, WARREN PETERSEN LED THE CHARGE ON THIS SAID, LOOK, THIS IS DOXING, THIS IS WORK INTERFERING WITH A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE AND ASKED THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE IT.

THEY INDICATED TO HIM, HE SAYS, THAT THAT WORK IS UNDER WAY.

IT ALSO TOUCHED OFF THIS WHOLE SIDE SHOW OF THE PINAL COUNTY ATTORNEY STEPPING UP AND SAYING, I'LL INVESTIGATE IT FOR YOU MR. PRESIDENT.

THAT APPARENTLY HAS NOT HAPPENED, AND SORT OF SET OFF A WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN PETERSEN AND ATTORNEY GENERAL KRIS MAYES.

IF YOU RECALL, THEY ARE BOTH LIKELY TO BE RUNNING FOR A.G. NEXT YEAR.

TED: AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THIS IS A FREE SPEECH ISSUE, PERIOD.

>> WHICH IS SURPRISING BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS A DEMOCRAT, OF COURSE.

THE ETHICS COMPLAINT COULD SET A PRECEDENT BECAUSE THEY'RE SAYING THEY WANT HER EXPELLED.

IF YOU CAN'T GET THAT, AND THEY CAN'T BECAUSE YOU NEED TWO THIRDS MAJORITY, THEN THEY WANT TO STRIP HER OF COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, NOT LET HER IN THE BUILDING, DON'T LET HER HAVE AN OFFICE, MAKE IT AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO DO HER JOB.

I THINK THEY COULD DO THAT.

TED: HAS THAT BEEN DONE IN THE PAST, HOWIE?

>> IF YOU EXPEL SOMEONE, AND WE'VE HAD A FEW PEOPLE EXPELLED.

YOU DO A CENSURE, A REPRIMAND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOST COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS OVER DIFFERENT THINGS WHICH CAN BE DONE UNILATERALLY AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT OR THE HOUSE SPEAKER.

WHEN YOU ARE TAKING AWAY SOMEBODY'S OFFICE AND STAFF, THEIR PARKING PLACE OF ALL THINGS, THEN YOU ARE BASICALLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THEIR JOBS, AND THAT POINT, YOU HAVE EFFECTIVELY STRIPPED THEM OF THEIR OFFICE.

NOW YOU HAVE AN ISSUE THAT WOULD END UP IN COURT.

TED: THAT WOULD BE HEADED FOR THE COURT, IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN.

PARKING SPACE ISN'T FOOLING AROUND.

AS FOR ORTIZ, SHE'S DOING A SERVICE.

SHE SAYS THIS IS A FREE SPEECH ISSUE AS FAR AS SHE'S CONCERNED.

PUBLIC SENTIMENT?

JUST THE GENERAL MOOD OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY AND IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW, WHERE DOES THIS FALL?

>> WHERE DOES IT FALL?

ALONG HEAVILY PARTISAN LINES, AND IT'S MORE GRIST FOR THE MILL FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE.

SHE'S SAYING, LOOK, YOU GOT STAND UP AGAINST THIS.

SHE SEES THIS -- I THINK SHE SAID IT IS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE AUTHORITARIAN PLAYBOOK AND YOU GOT TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

SHE FEELS SHE IS RESPONSIBLE TO HER CONSTITUENTS AND ARIZONANS IN GENERAL BY DOING THAT.

TED: SHE SAID I THINK WHAT I'M DOING IS BRAVE.

>> YEAH, SHE HAD CHOICE WORDS WHEN WE TALKED.

SHE SAID THERE ARE WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND SHE'S GOING TO DO WHAT SHE'S DOING.

I SAID OKAY.

I DON'T THINK SHE FEELS BAD ABOUT IT AND MAYBE LEGALLY SPEAKING, I'M NOT SURE SHE NEEDS TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY.

TED: WILL THIS BE JOB ONE, TWO OR THREE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE GETS BACK IN SESSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T THINK THE ETHICS COMMITTEE HAS TO WAIT TO DO THIS STUFF?

>> THEY CAN COME IN ANY TIME.

PROBLEM IS THEY HAVEN'T MET THIS SESSION.

THEY HAVE TO ADOPT RULES AND DETERMINE THE SHAPE OF THE TABLE AND WHO GETS TO TALK FIRST AND THE REST OF IT.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON SHAWNNA BOLICK SENDS IT TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

WHAT THEY TOLD ME IS WE CAN NEITHER CONFIRM NOR DENY WE GOT SOMETHING, WHEN WE ALL KNOW THEY DID.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WE DON'T INVESTIGATE.

IF WE THINK THERE'S A CRIME THAT'S OCCURRING, WE WILL SEND IT OUT TO FBI OR SOMEONE ELSE.

IT'S NOT THE U.S. ATTORNEY WHO IS A TRUMP APPOINTEE GOING TO DECIDE WHETHER, IN FACT SOMETHING WENT WRONG.

I THINK IF, IN FACT, THEY DO ANYTHING, THEY WILL HAVE SOMEBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT LOOK AT IT AND SAY, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS THE PLACE WE WANT TO GO, EVEN IF IT HELPS PRESIDENT TRUMP.

TED: MARY JO, LAST WE TALKED AROUND HERE, GINA SVOBODA WAS FIGHTING THIS AND THAT AND FINDING OUT IF SHE IS GOING TO LEAD THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN ARIZONA.

LOOKS LIKE SHE IS.

>> LOOKS LIKE HER TERM IS SAFE THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

THE MARICOPA REPUBLICAN COALITION.

>> COMMITTEE?

>> COMMITTEE, HAD A VOTE WHETHER SHE SHOULD BE REMOVED.

IT WAS A 19-9, 2-1 VOTE TO KEEP HER.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE COMPLAINT AGAINST HER THAT HER CRITICS SUCH AS SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN AND SOME OF THE TURNING POINT USA CROWD HAD THAT SHE IS NOT MAGA ENOUGH FOR THEM.

>> THE MARICOPA VOTE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'VE ALL SEEN, THE MARICOPA COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE TEND TO BE OFF TO THE RIGHT OF GENGHIS KHAN SOMETIMES.

THE FACT THAT THE ACCUSATION SHE IS SOMEHOW BACKING DEMOCRATS BY SAYING THAT THEIR GUARDRAILS NEEDED FOR ESAs, AND WHY ARE WE GOING AHEAD AND GOING AFTER EARLY VOTING, WHICH IS 80% OF WHAT THE STATE LIKES?

THEY SAID, NO.

THIS WOMAN WINS RACES.

REMEMBER, BEFORE SHE WAS HERE, THE LAST STATEWIDE RACE, REPUBLICANS LOST -- DIDN'T GET GOVERNOR, DIDN'T GET ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND DIDN'T GET THE SUPERINTENDENT -- EXCUSE ME, THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> OR U.S. SENATE.

>> OR THE U.S. SENATE, IN FACT, THE LAST TWO TIMES.

THEY'RE SAYING HERE'S A CHANCE TO PUT PEOPLE BACK IN OFFICE, AND THEY TRUST HER TO BE THE REASONABLE VOICE OF THE PARTY.

TED: AND YET TURNING POINT USA AND SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN WHO REARS HIS HEAD ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, THEY'RE SAYING THAT IT'S A TOP PRIORITY TO GET HER OUT OF THERE BECAUSE, AS HOWIE REFERRED TO, SHE IS HELPING DEMOCRATS.

>> I THINK THAT'S UNSURPRISING SINCE THEY COME UP WITH A LOT OF THE PURITY TESTS, THE SUBJECT OF FREQUENT INFIGHTING.

I THINK IN THIS CASE, THE ESA THING, I THINK TO A LOT OF REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS WOULD SEEM INNOCUOUS, IN RESPONSE TO THE 12 NEWS INVESTIGATION, THE OUTRAGEOUS PURCHASES WHICH WERE HIGHLIGHTED IN HER COMMENT SAYING THERE SHOULD BE GUARDRAILS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THAT.

TO A LOT OF FOLKS THAT SEEMS LIKE A REASONABLE RESPONSE.

>> THE REAL POINT SHE'S MAKING, LOOK, I SUPPORT VOUCHERS, EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, TO THE EXTENT EVEN IF IT'S 100th OF 1% OF FRAUD, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE VOUCHERS.

IT'S IN OUR INTEREST TO HAVE THE CLEANEST VOUCHER PROGRAM POSSIBLE.

JAKE HOFFMAN HEAD EXPLODED.

TED: MAYBE A HOLD ON THE MARICOPA COUNTY COMMITTEE, MAYBE THE MAGA HOLD ON JUST THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN GENERAL.

IS IT SIGNS OF FRACTURES OR A ONE-TIME THING?

>> I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A FRACTURE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO RIP OPEN LIKE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD THIS YEAR, AND KEEP IN MIND THAT A LOT OF THE FUND-RAISING FOR THE PARTY, WHICH IS USUALLY THE PARTY CHAIR'S RESPONSIBILITY, A LOT OF THE MAGA CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO GET THEIR FUND-RAISING ELSEWHERE ANYWAY.

IF YOU REMOVE YOUR CHAIR PERSON MIDWAY THROUGH THE ELECTION CYCLE, YOU HAMPER THE PARTY'S ABILITY TO DO -- YOU MAY HAMPER THE PARTY'S ABILITY TO DO FUND-RAISING OR BOOST VOTER REGISTRATION.

TED: IS THIS A GOOD THING FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OR IS THIS -- TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, GOOD OR BAD, FOR THE OTHER SIDE?

>> IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY.

IN ONE WAY, YOU COULD SAY IT'S GOOD FOR A SENSE OF STABILITY IN TERMS OF KEEPING THE SAME LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND THEM AGREEING TO DO THAT, AT LEAST IN THIS ONE PARTICULAR VOTE.

FRACTURE HAS ALREADY EXISTED WITH TURNING POINT AND HOFFMAN.

HE HASN'T LIKED SVOBODA FOR A LONG TIME, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE EVER GOING TO GET ALONG.

IN TERMS OF IF IT HELPS THE DEMOCRATS?

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE BIG ENOUGH TO MAKE A DENT.

>> THIS IS PART OF A LARGER ISSUE, JAKE HOFFMAN HAS THEIR OWN SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR MANY OFFICES.

I MEAN, THEY'RE PUTTING UP KIMBERLY YEE AGAINST TOM HORNE WHO IS IN SUPPORT OF VOUCHERS, BUT SOMEHOW NOT CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH.

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, RUNNING AGAINST REPUBLICANS THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE CORPORATION COMMISSION WORKS.

JAKE HOFFMAN IS TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER -- TRYING TO PURIFY THE PARTY, IF YOU WILL, OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRUE BELIEVERS.

>> MARY JO, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FIRED OFF A LETTER TO TOM HORNE -- BUSY WEEK FOR TOM HORNE -- TO KNOCK IT OFF WITH THE AUTOMATIC AUDITS, STOP THE ESA PURCHASE FOR $2,000 AND LESS.

THAT IDEA THAT HORNE CAME UP WITH.

SHE'S SAYING NO, KNOCK IT OFF.

>> THIS CAME AFTER A LOT OF MEDIA REPORTING ABOUT WHAT THE NEW POLICY WHICH LET'S ANYBODY WHO HAS SCHOOL VOUCHER ACCOUNT SPEND UP TO $2,000 FROM IT WITHOUT PREAPPROVAL.

JUST GO AHEAD, BUY WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR YOUR KID, AND WE'LL CATCH IT ON THE BACK END WITH AN AUDIT IF WE THINK IT DOESN'T MEET THE STANDARDS.

HORNE DID THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE SO FLOODED WITH REQUESTS FROM PARENTS, BUT THAT OPENED THE FLOODGATES TO SUCH AN OVERUSED METAPHOR, BUT TO ALL KINDS OF SPENDING, YOU LOOK AT LIST, WHERE ARE PEOPLE BUYING FOR UNDER $2,000?

YOU FIND OUT YOU HAVE TEXTBOOKS AND THINGS THEY THINK WOULD ARGUABLY BE LEGITIMATE EDUCATION MATERIALS.

THINGS LIKE KENMORE WASHING MACHINES AND LUXURY PURSES AND LINGERIE.

YOU WONDER WHAT KIDS ARE BEING TAUGHT THESE DAYS.

AND THAT PUT A HARSH LIGHT ON THIS POLICY THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN USING, AND MAYES IS LIKE THIS IS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THIS SHOULD NOT CONTINUE.

LIKE YOU SAID, KNOCK IT OFF OR SHE'LL SUE.

TED: SHE SAID SHE WOULD TAKE LEGAL ACTION?

>> NOT SURPRISING, SHE'S A DEMOCRAT, HORNE IS A REPUBLICAN.

IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, THE REASON THEY DID THE $2,000 AND UNDER THING, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF.

THERE'S A LOT OF REQUESTS FROM PARENTS, AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THEM.

OKAY, I THINK WE HAVE TO APPROVE THINGS NOW AND DEAL WITH THEM AFTERWARDS.

IF THERE IS FRAUD, WE'LL CATCH IT.

SHE'S SAYING THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND THE FRAUD IS OCCURRING.

IF SOMEONE IS ABLE TO BUY A FANCY CORSET WITH THE ESA MONEY, WHETHER OR NOT THAT GETS CAUGHT IS TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM LEGALLY.

>> STAFFING IS A PROBLEM.

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TIME TO DO THE AUDITS ON THE BACK END.

THEY ARE SO BUSY ON THE HAMSTER WHEEL WITH THE REQUESTS COMING IN, I THINK THEY HAVE UP TO 40 PEOPLE NOW, IN THE FACE OF THOUSANDS OF REQUESTS, I DON'T SEE WHEN YOU GET THE BANDWIDTH TO GET THE AUDIT.

>> THIS IS A PIECE OF IT, WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS A TYPICAL VOUCHER IS $7400 A YEAR.

PARENTS ARE SAYING MY KID HAS A SPECIAL NEED, A HANDICAP AND TRY TO GET THEM THE 20,000 OR $30,000 THING AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS AUDITED.

THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY -- WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON, THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT HERE.

THIS INVOLVES US HERE, ARIZONA STATE AND KAET, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVE DECIDED, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE'RE NOT GOING TO LOOK MUCH CLOSER AT THE DEBATE THING.

>> WELL, TRUTHFULLY THERE'S NOT A LOT TO LOOK AT.

YES, WE ALL SAW THE PUBLICITY.

WE ALL SAW THE MEMOS AND THINGS, WHEN YOU GOT THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT WEIGHING IN ON SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE STAYED AT THEM, THAT'S TRUE.

IT COMES DOWN TO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR KATIE HOBBS OR VIOLATED FCC RULES, THE FACT REMAINS KARI LAKE WAS OFFERED THAT SAME EQUAL 28 MINUTES OR WHATEVER THAT ENDED UP BEING AND COULD HAVE HAD IT, AND SHE BACKED OUT.

SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY THAT THE UNIVERSITY SOMEHOW FAVORED -- WOULD ONLY GIVE AN INTERVIEW ON KATIE HOBBS BECAUSE IT WAS OFFERED TO KARI LAKE, AND SHE SAID NO.

TED: AND THE MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY RACHEL MITCHELL'S OFFICE SAID NOT INTERESTED IN PURSUING AND THE STATUTE DOES NOT REQUIRE COMPLIANCE.

>> SO SHE SAYS.

I HAVE NOT CHECKED.

I WILL TRUST HER INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW, BUT, YEAH, IF IT DOESN'T REQUIRE COMPLIANCE, WHAT IS THERE TO INVESTIGATE.

TED: AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS, I'M CONFLICTED OUT.

I REPRESENT THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE, SHE'S A DEMOCRAT.

SHE PROBABLY DIDN'T WANT TO DO THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS PBS WHERE, WE CURRENTLY ARE, BUT I WAS A BIT MORE SURPRISED ABOUT MITCHELL NOT WANTING TO TAKE IT UP AND DO THE PRELIMINARY STUFF OF HAVING SOME SORT OF INVESTIGATION INTO IT BECAUSE THE CONCEPT IS THAT ASU OR PBS OR -- I DON'T REALLY KNOW, SUPPOSEDLY DID SOMETHING AGAINST THEIR CONTRACT WITH CLEAN ELECTIONS BY OFFERING KATIE HOBBS A DEBATE IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND THAT IS THE THING, AND THE IDEA THAT MICHAEL CROW AND OTHER FOLKS WERE USING UNIVERSITY RESOURCES BECAUSE THEY WERE DOING IT ON THEIR TIME WITH THEIR -- I DON'T KNOW LAPTOPS, E-MAILS, WHATEVER THE HECK, AND THEREFORE A WASTE OR MISUSE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, THAT'S THE ACCUSATION.

>> ALL THAT'S A STRETCH.

YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEBODY WRITING SOMETHING OUT ON CORPORATE LAPTOPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AS FAR AS ANY BREACH OF CONTRACT WITH CLEAN ELECTIONS, THAT'S A CONTRACT BETWEEN CLEAN ELECTIONS AND THE STATION, IF YOU WILL.

CLEAN ELECTIONS AND KARI.

IT'S NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENSE THERE.

>> THIS MIGHT NOT BE DONE.

THE FREE ENTERPRISE CLUB WAS DECLINED, SAID THEY WILL LOOK FOR OTHER VENUES TO ADDRESS THIS.

TED: CALLED SHOCKING THE IDEA THEY WEREN'T GOING TO INVESTIGATE.

>> OF COURSE THEY WILL.

THEIR JOB BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER OF 26 IS TO MAKE KATIE HOBBS LOOK BAD.

PERIOD.

TED: CAMRYN, START WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

I THOUGHT THIS BILL WAS SIGNED, THIS DIAMONDBACKS BILL.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING SIGNING IT AGAIN?

>> A LOT OF THE TIMES WHEN KATIE HOBBS SIGNS SOMETHING AND HOLDS IT UP AND TAKE A PHOTO, IT'S CEREMONIAL BECAUSE SHE'S SIGNED IT AND IT'S LET'S HAVE A PARTY AND TALK ABOUT IT EVENT WHERE EVERYBODY WHO WORKS ON THE BILL COMES IN AND DO A PHOTO-OP AND MAKE A SPEECH.

THE LEGISLATION WASN'T GOING INTO EFFECT THAT DAY WHEN SHE SIGNED IT AT CHASE FIELD.

THIS IS THE DIAMONDBACKS BILL, A BIG IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR THE GOVERNOR BUT SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE SKEPTICAL OF IN TERMS OF HOW THE FUNDING IS GOING TO WORK AND A FAIR AND EQUITABLE DEAL, I THINK THE CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE FOR A LONG TIME.

TED: REDIRECT TAX REVENUE FROM THE STADIUM BACK TO IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STADIUM?

>> RIGHT, WHICH COMES AT THE EXPENSE WHERE THE TAXES NORMALLY GO WHICH IS INTO THE STATE AND THE CITY OF PHOENIX.

THEY SOFTENED THE BILL A LITTLE BIT, GIVING THE MAYOR AN APPOINTMENT ON THE COMMISSION OR THE COMMITTEE IT WILL BE OVERSEEING THE STADIUM WORK -- NOT THE STADIUM, BUT THE STADIUM OPERATIONS.

THAT'S HOW THAT'S STRUCTURED.

THEY HIT WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS A HAPPY MEDIUM.

>> THE ARGUMENT TO BE MADE, IF THE STADIUM WASN'T, THERE IF THE TEAM WASN'T THERE, THE REVENUES WOULD NOT BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THEY'RE ALSO TAKING THE INCOME TAXES PLAYED BY PLAYERS WHEN THEY PLAY IN ARIZONA BECAUSE THEY HAVE STATE INCOME TAXES TAKEN OUT OF THAT.

THERE'S AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE THERE.

I THINK, AND THE FACT THAT THIS IS A PUBLICLY OWNED STADIUM, THIS IS NOT CONTRIBUTING SOMETHING TO THE OWNER SO THE OWNER CAN FIX UP HIS STADIUM.

AND WE'RE TALKING MAINTENANCE.

NOW TALKING ABOUT WIDENING THE SEATS.

THE OWNER WAS BUSY CROWING ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS THEY'RE GOING TO DO AND MAKE IT A MODERN BALLPARK, THIS IS THE THIRD OLDEST BALLPARK IN THE NATION SOMEHOW, AND WE NEED SOMETHING FLASHIER.

TED: BY THE WAY, THE CURRENT LEASE RUNS THROUGH 2027.

LAST POINT ON THIS, YOU'RE ADVISING THE GOVERNOR, YOU MAKE A SHOW OUT OF THIS.

YOU'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE NEXT YEAR, YOU WANT TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OR LET IT HAPPEN AND MOVE ON?

>> IN TERMS OF HAVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON YOUR SIDE, THERE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND BIG DONORS ARE HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

I WAS HOPING SHE WOULD DO SOMETHING COOL LIKE THROW THE FIRST PITCH.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS LAME.

THAT WOULD BE MY ADVICE TO HER.

TED: MAKES SENSE.

GOVERNOR UP FOR RE-ELECTION IS MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT THIS?

>> I AGREE WITH CAMRYN, FOR THE BUSINESS INTEREST, THE DIAMONDBACKS ARE AN ARIZONA TEAM, THEY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY WELL-LOVED AT THE MOMENT.

THEY ARE HAVING STRUGGLES ON THE FIELD.

MAYBE IT WOULD BE MORE PRUDENT TO SIT BACK AND LET THE LEGISLATION TAKE EFFECT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STADIUM.

TED: PAYING FOR BALLPARK -- >> BUT THE FACT IS THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO HATE THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS.

TED: RIGHT.

>> TEND TO BE THE MAGA TYPES ANYWAY.

JAKE HOFFMANS OF THE WORLD, THE FREEDOM CAUCUS FOLKS.

>> AND THE OTHER END OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> AND THE OTHER END OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WHERE ELSE ARE THEY GOING TO GO?

KATIE OR KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON OR ANDY BIGGS, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO?

IT WAS A NICE PARTY, THEY PURPOSELY DID IT ON A GAME DAY, AND THE FIELD BEHIND, PREPPING THE FIELD, IT WAS A GREAT COMMERCIAL, THAT'S TALL WAS.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE IT.

OUR FINAL STORY TONIGHT IS MARY JO PITZL, IT IS YOUR FINAL SHOW ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," AS YOU ARE GOING TO HEAD OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES.

TALK TO US WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> MY LAST DAY AT "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" IS ON MONDAY AND I WILL BE THERE TO FINISH FILING A STORY AND CLEAN OUT MY DESK AND GO HOME AND HOPEFULLY NOT TAKE TOO MUCH STUFF HOME WITH ME, AND I DON'T KNOW, I'M GOING TO SIT BACK FOR A WHILE AND SEE WHAT COMES ALONG, DO A LITTLE TRAVEL, GET BACK OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS GETTING NICE, AND SPEND MONEY ON MUCH NEEDED HOME REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A GREAT ADDITION AND CONTRIBUTION TO "ARIZONA HORIZON" FOR SUCH A LONG TIME AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.

GOT TO ASK YOU HERE, ALL THESE YEARS, WHAT'S THE ONE STORY THAT STICKS OUT?

>> FROM "ARIZONA HORIZON"?

TED: YOUR CAREER.

>> ONE STORY?

I DID A LOT OF CHILD WELFARE COVERAGE WHICH WE USUALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT ON THE SHOW, MIGHT NOT MEAN A LOT TO THE VIEWERS, BECAUSE THESE ARE INTENSELY PERSONAL AND HUMAN STORIES.

SOME FOLKS THAT WE'VE PORTRAYED IN A DOCUMENTARY, THEIR DIFFERENT PATHS THROUGH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEM, AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE HAD -- A FOSTER KID I MET, WHO IS IN PRISON, DOING TIME, EVIDENCE HOW FOSTER KIDS HAVE POOR OUTCOMES.

SHE WROTE ME EARLY THIS YEAR, SHE'S OUT, LOOKING TO ENTER THE FOSTER CARE WORLD.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THINGS TURN OUT NICELY.

TED: VERY REWARDING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT WORK AND IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE.

>> I WILL MISS DOING THIS.

ALWAYS A LOT OF FUN TO DO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

VIEWERS, YOU PAID A LOT MORE ATTENTION TO THE WAY WOMEN WEAR THEIR HAIR AND CLOTHING THAN THEY DO TO MEN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

WE GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.