LEEING BE BE >> Announcer: THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE FROM THE FRIENDS OF PBS AND MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION.

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

IT'S FRIDAY AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF THE JOURNALIST'S ROUNDTABLE AND JOINING US IS HOWIE IS OUR PANEL AND THANKS FOR JOINING US AND HOWIE, AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WAS SIGNED YESTERDAY REGARDING, WHAT OUR ABORTION LAW IS PROSECUTED IN ARIZONA.

>> THE GOVERNOR CONTENDS SHE HAS THE POWER TO DECIDE IF IT IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PROSECUTE CASES WHETHER IT'S THE OLD LAW ENFORCEABLE AND THE 15-WEEK BAN AND THE BAN ON, YOU KNOW, ABORTION FOR GENETIC DEFECTS.

THE ARGUMENT IS THAT WITH A LOT OF THIS UP IN FLUX PARTICULARLY AFTER THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE, ONE UNIVERSAL STANDARD FOR ENFORCEMENT.

THE PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IS THERE ARE 15 COUNTY ATTORNEYS MADE THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT ATTORNEYS.

THE GOVERNOR IS CITING THE STATUTE THAT SAYS THE GOVERNOR MAY DIRECT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HELP WITH THE CASE, TO PICK UP A CASE.

NOWHERE IN THAT STATUTE DOES IT SAY, TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

SHE CONTENDS SHE HAS THE POWER.

I TALKED TO TWO WHO SAY, NO SHE DOESN'T.

>> Ted: IF KRIS MAY IS IN CHARGE, NOT A LOT WILL HAPPEN.

>> PROBABLY NOT AND THEY'RE VERY MUCH KINDRED SPIRITS AND CAMPAIGN ON THIS ISSUE AND LAST YEAR ON ABORTION RIGHTS AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION THAT OVERTURNED ROE.

IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME AND I COULDN'T GET AN ANSWER EXACTLY WHAT TYPE OF SITUATION THEY BELIEVE COULD ARISE IN ONE OF THESE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICES THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO HER TO PREEMPT.

THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT DISPARATE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.

ABOUT HALF ARE REPUBLICANS AND HALF ARE DEMOCRATS AND THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT VIEWS.

THE LAW OF THE LAND IS THE 15 WEEK BAN.

YOU CANNOT PROSECUTE DOCTORS FOR THE TERRITORIAL ERA BAN.

>> I TALKED TO KRIS' PRESS THIS MORNING AND I SAID, SO, WHERE DOES SHE THINK THE LINE IS.

ARTICLE 2, SECTION A, THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY PROTECTS THE ABILITY OF WOMEN TO GET AN ABORTION.

I SAID, SO 15 WEEKS AND AVAILABILITYANDVIABILITY OR WHAT AND WE THINK LATE-TERM IS IN THE RAREST OF CASES AND A DECISION BETWEEN THE DOCTOR AND THE PATIENT.

SO IF, IN FACT, THIS HOLDS.

, AND I DON'T KNOW IT WILL, NO MEDICAL PROVIDER WILL BE PLOS PROSECUTED.

>> Ted: IT SOUNDS LIKE A DE FACTO.

>> THIS IS COMING RIGHT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF, YOU KNOW, THE OVERTURNS OF ROE WITH THE DOBBS' DECISION AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE REPRESENTATIVE SOLOMON HELD A CONFERENCE TO TALK ABOUT A BILL THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR THAT WOULD ENSURE THERE IS ACCESS, PROTECT ACT ES ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL AND THAT MIGHT BE UNDER ATTACK.

>> Ted: THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND STATE AGENCIES CAN'T PROSECUTE BANS AND EXTRADITION FOR PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE AND OTHER STATES, AS WELL.

THIS IS PRETTY ALL ENCOMPASSING HERE.

>> THEY CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS, I THINK, POSED BY PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES, BUT YEAH, THEY CAN'T GET INVOLVED WITH THE EXTRADITION.

>> THE IMPORTANT PART IS WHEN I WAS TALKING TO THE COCHISE ATTORNEY, THAT SHE HAS POWERS TO USE.

THE GOVERNOR COULD SAY TO THE BOARD OF EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY AND IF ANYBODY CONVICTED OF CRIMES BECOMES TO THEM, THEY SHOULD RECOMMEND A PARDON AND SHE WILL GRANT IT.

IF SOMEONE IS GRANTED OF A CRIME AND THEY APPEAL, IT'S THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S APPEAL THAT HANDLES THE APPEALS.

IF MAY WON'T SIGN THE APPEALS, THE PERSON GETS OFF.

I'LL AS THIS COCKAMAMIE APPROACH.

>> Ted: IS IT LEGALLY INDEFENSIBLE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE WON'T RUN AROUND AND THE GOVERNOR HAD TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> WE'LL FIND OUT IF IT'S LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE BECAUSE FROM RACHEL MITCHELL, A REPUBLICAN, WHO SAID SHE'S LOOKING INTO POTENTIAL CHALLENGE, BEN TOMA, SPEAK OF THE HOUSE ANDSPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND EVERY REPUBLICAN COUNTY ATTORNEY IS LOOKING AT A POTENTIAL CHALLENGE.

THIS COMES DOWN TO THE LEGAL ISSUES THAT HOWIE MENTIONED AND DOES THIS EXIST IN LAW?

ONE OF THE STATUTES SHE CITED SAYS IT CAN DEFEND A CASE WHERE THE STATE IS A PARTY OR HAS AN INTEREST BUT DOESN'T SAY SHE CAN TAKE IT AWAY.

THEY HAVE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY.

>> THE TRICKY PART, IN GENERAL COURTS LIKE IS LIVE CASE OR CONTROVERSY.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY COULD SEEK AN ADVISORY OPINION.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN, ONE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS WILL NEED TO TRY TO PROSECUTE SOMEBODY.

THAT WILL PROVIDE THE COURT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

BUT I DON'T SEE A JUDGE SAYING, I'LL ISSUE AN ADVISORY OPINION FOR THE GOVERNOR TO DO WHAT SHE SAYS.

>> Ted: IS THIS THE THING THAT CAN APPLY TO OTHER ISSUES?

>> LOOK AT THE PRECEDENT BEING SET HERE.

COULD THE GOVERNOR SAY, I WANT ALL CASES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROSECUTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COULD THE GOVERNOR SAY I WANT ALL CASES OF METH PROSECUTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL?

IF YOU BELIEVE WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS ABOUT HER AUTHORITY, IT MEANS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE -- YOU DON'T NEED COUNTY ATTORNEYS ANYMORE.

>> Ted: WHICH MAKES THIS IS VERY BIG STEP HERE.

MARY JO, THE GOVERNOR WENT AHEAD AND VETOED THE PROP 400 BILL OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND NO SURPRISE THERE.

>> NO SURPRISE.

THE MINUTE THAT THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THE PROPOSITION 400 EXTENSION FOR TRANSPORTATION TAX, THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN IT GETS HERE, I'LL SIGN IT AND TOOK A FEW DAYS AND VETOED IT AND WE ARE NOW IN LIMBO ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IN THE METRO AREA.

>> Ted: WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

WE HAD THE MAYOR GILES ON YESTERDAY AND IT'S OPEN TO GET RID OF THE LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL FOR MARICOPA COUNTY VOTERS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED.

AND WHY IS IT THAT THE STATE HAS TO OK US VOTING ON SOMETHING HERE?

>> IT ONLY APPLIES TO MARICOPA COUNTY BECAUSE IN LATE, I THINK, '99.

I DID A STORY AND IT'S BEEN AWHILE OR EARLY 2000, THE THEN CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH USE FOR TRANSIT.

AT THAT TIME, PHOENIX AND TEMPE WERE RAMPING UP TALKS ABOUT LIGHT RAIL WHICH WAS A NEW CONCEPT FOR THE VALLEY.

THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE LEGISLATURE COULD HAVE OVERSIGHT AND THEY SAY WE CONTROL.

THAT STANDS TO THIS DAY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE ROADBLOCKS TO MOVING AHEAD WITH PROPOSITION 400.

IF MAYORS HAD THEIR WAY, YOU COULD PUT THIS THING ON THE BALLOT AND THAT'S A STEEP HILL TO CLIMB.

YOU NEED, OBVIOUSLY, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF SIGNATURES AND THEN YOU WOULD NEED 60% APPROVAL STAYWIDE.

>> Ted: DO YOU NEED THE 60% ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXTENDING, A.

AND B, WHAT ABOUT MUNICIPALITY AREAS COMING TOGETHER AND SAYING EACH WILL EXTEND ON THIS TAX?

>> I THINK YOU PROBABLY WOULD NEED THAT 60%?

BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXPIRING TAX.

PROBABLY, WE'VE HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS YEARS AGO WITH EDUCATION TAXES AND THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER OPTION.

I THINK WE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE TO GO TO THE BALLOT AND LIFT THE FREE MARICOPA AND YOU COULD DO THAT AND PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT AND VOTERS STATEWIDE AGREE TO IT AND MARICOPA COUNTY WOULD THEN HAVE ENOUGH TIME BEFORE THIS EXPIRES AT THE END OF 2025 TO REFER TO A COUNTY-WIDE BALLOT AND DO IT THEMSELVES AND LEAVE GILA AND MOHAVE OUT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

>> FLIP THE LEGISLATURE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID SHE'LL WORK TO GET DEMOCRATIC MAJORITIES IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND IS THAT THE PATH OF THE LEAST RESISTANCE YOU COULD TAKE TO INVEST IN PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGNS AND DO THIS IN 2024 AND DEAL WITH THIS IN 2025?

>> THE FACT IS THAT IF YOU AT LEAST PUT SOMETHING ON THE 2024 BALLOT, AS JEREMY SAID, THE FREE MARICOPA TO REPEAL THAT ONLY MARICOPA NEEDS STATE APPROVAL, YOU COULD MOVE FORWARD AND SOMETHING YOU COULD SELL.

IF YOU'RE COUNTING ON FLIPPING STEVE KAISER'S DISTRICT AND HE'S LEFT.

DO YOU END UP WITH Mrs. BOLICK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

GIVEN THE REDISTRICTING AND THE FACT THAT ONLY A HANDFUL OF DISTRICTS IN THE STATE ARE FLIPPABLE, I THINK THAT IS A LONG SHOT.

>> Ted: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMPROMISED DEAL HAMMERED OUT?

YOU HAVE GOVERNOR DUCEY AND A COMPROMISED DEAL AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING AND HUFFING AND PUFFING?

>> DUCEY DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT -- HE DOESN'T LIKE TAXES OR THAT IT'S ON A SPECIAL BALLOT WHICH IS LOW TURNOUT OR LESS THAN 25 YEARS.

IF DUCEY SIGNED THAT, WE WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT IT TODAY.

>> Ted: RIGHT.

>> WE COME BACK WITH A COMPROMISE.

THEY TOOK SOME THINGS AND AGREED TO COMPROMISED, THAT WE WON'T BUILD NEW MILES OF LIGHT RAIL WITH THIS TAX.

IF THE CITIES WANT TO DO IT, WE CAN FIND ANOTHER WAY OF DOING IT AND WE'LL PUT MORE MONEY TO HIGHWAYS AND NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

THIS COMES DOWN TO, HOW MANY MILES OF HIGHWAY DO WE NEED?

>> I WAS OUT OF TOWN DURING THIS DEBATE, BUT I WAS WONDERING WHAT THE OTHER SIDE, THE NON-MAG SIDE GAVE UP -- OH, WE WANT TO GET RID OF THE LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION IN THE PLANNING PROCESS AND WE'LL MOVE AROUND THE CAPITOL.

SPEAKER BEN TOMA WOULD FIND THAT OFFENSIVE RUNNING PAST THE CAPITOL.

>> Ted: LIGHT RAIL IS THE BIG BUGGABOO HERE AND THAT WAS A GOOD COMPROMISE AND NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

>> THERE WERE LARGER ISSUES ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSIT IN GENERAL THAT WAS BIG STICKING POINT BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND LEADERSHIP AND MORE HIGHWAYS AND MORE ROADS AND LESS MONEY TO REPUBLICAN TRANSIT.

WHEREAS THE MAYORS, I THINK THEY WOULD ARGUE ARE CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT AND A BIG IDEA OF WHAT THEIR VOTERS WANT.

>> THERE WERE ITEMS THAT DEALT WITH THE VALLEY'S AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS THAT COME FROM CARS AND A LOT OF DRIVING AND THAT'S WHERE TRANSIT CAN BE A RESPONSE AND OTHER MANAGERS TO DEAL WITH AIR POLLUTION AND THAT WAS OBJECTIONABLE.

THIS GOT STRUCK IN THE SENATE.

>> THREAT ME THROWLET ME THROW OUT SOMETHING ELSE.

BEN TOMA WANTED A STRETCH FROM THE SHORT STACK OF 24th STREET ALL TO THE DURANGO CURVE AT DUNLAP WOULD HAVE TO BE 65.

NEVER MIND THE ENGINEERING STUDIES THAT MADE IT 55 OR NO SHOULDERS.

HE WANTED THE LEGISLATURE TO OVERRULE AND WANTED THIS BILL SO BAD, I WANT 65.

>> Ted: WITH THAT IN MIND, HOW SERIOUS ARE LAWMAKERS ABOUT GETTING THIS DONE.

>> MOST REPUBLICANS WOULD BE JUST AS HAPPY IF THE TAX WENT AWAY.

ALTHOUGH, THEY WOULD LIKE MORE MONEY FOR MORE FREEWAYS, BUT IF THEY HAVE TO TAKE 30%, 40% AND USE IT FOR MASS TRANSIT, NOT A PROBLEM.

>> Ted: THIS ISSUE WILL OBVIOUSLY BE CONTINUED AND SOMETHING ELSE TO BE CONTINUED, APPARENTLY, IS A FIGHT BETWEEN STEPHEN RICHER AND GOVERNOR LAKE.

HE IS SUING HER, HUH?

>> WE'VE BEEN SITTING AROUND ON THIS STAGE FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS, GIVE OR TAKE, TALKING ABOUT FALSE ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE ELECTION AND RICHER HAS BEEN THE TARGET, TO TAKE ACTION IN HIS OWN HANDS AND SUED KARI LAKE FOR DEFAMATION AND A LOT OF THINGS SAID ABOUT THE 2022 ELECTION, ABOUT RICHER.

HE FOCUSED ON TWO PARTICULAR CLAIMS.

ONE SAID THAT HE INTENTIONALLY PRINTED THE WRONG SIZED BALLOTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAKING THE MACHINES REJECT THEM CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR REPUBLICAN ELECTION DAY VOTERS.

THE OTHER SAYS HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSERTING 300,000 ILLEGAL FRAUDULENT BALLOTS INTO THE COUNT.

>> YOU DIDN'T SEE HIM SNEAKING HIM IN UNDER HIS JACKET.

>> I THINK THERE WERE MULES THAT DID THAT.

[ Laughter ] >> THERE WAS A HIGH BAR FOR DEFAMATION LIKE RICHER.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW MALICE WHICH MEANS SOMEONE HAS TO SHOW THERE WAS SOMEONE EITHER THAT KNEW THE CLAIM WAS FALSE OR RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR WHETHER IT WAS TRUE.

RICHER MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING BECAUSE LET'S START SPECIFICALLY WITH THE CLAIM ON PRINTING THE WRONG SIZE BALLOTS.

JUST TO SHOW THAT HE INTENTIONALLY DID THIS FOR FRUSTRATING THE VOTERS, THEY DON'T HAVE AUTHORITY OVER ELECTION DAY.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT POSITION THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CREATED A FEW YEARS AGO TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM THE COUNTY RECORDER.

>> Ted: AGAIN, HE SAYS THAT CONCERTED CAMPAIGN TO DEFAME, THREATENED AND ISOLATED ME.

IT IS A HIGH BAR, BUT IS THIS TOO HIGH A BAR?

HE CONTINUES TO SAY -- SHE DID CONTINUE TO SAY THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND WHAT'S THE OLD SEINFELD LINE IF YOU BELIEVE IT.

IF SHE BELIEVES IT, IS THERE MALICE THERE?

>> I GUESS THAT COULD BE A LEGAL QUESTION.

BUT RICHER, THESE WERE DIRECTED TO ACTIONS AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THIS IS THE STUFF THAT GOES BACK AND FORTH IN POLITICAL DEBATE, BUT IF I WOULD SAY THAT WITH THIS THING BEING FILED, IT'S IN COURT NOW AND IF I WAS -- WILL KARI LAKE KEEP SAYING THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

>> YOU WANT PROOF YOU CAN WIN THESE CASES, YOU DIDN'T NOTICE A LAWSUIT BETWEEN DOMINION AND FOX NEWS WHERE DOMINION SAID, YOU KNEW THIS WAS WRONG AND WE CAN SHOW BY YOUR OWN EMAILS YOU KNOW THIS WAS WRONG AND YOU KEPT REPEATING IT.

THAT'S THE ISSUE HERE.

>> Ted: IN DISCOVERY, THAT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IN THIS CASE.

>> ON BOTH SIDES.

LAKE IS COUNTING ON THE FACT THEY WILL GO IN AND GET THE RECORDS THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TO GET IN THE ELECTION CASES TO PROVE, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, THAT RICHER INSERTED.

>> RICHER WILL COME BACK TO SAY WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO BOLSTER THESE?

THESE ARE SHREDS THAT CAME UP DURING THE TRIAL IN DECEMBER AND SHE WAS CHALLENGING THE ELECTION RESULTS.

THE 20-INCH BALLOTS WHERE THEY CAME IN AND CHANGED THE FORMATTING FROM 19 TO 20-INCH TO GET THE MACHINES TO WORK.

HER OWN ATTORNEYS GOT SANCTIONED FOR RAISING THAT TO THE SUPREME COURT, THAT THIS WAS A MISCALCULATION THE WAY THAT THE POST OFFICE CALCULATES HOW MANY BEFORE THEY COUNT.

>> Ted: WILL THEY BE THE FIRST IN, PERHAPS, THE KIND OF LAWSUITS?

THEY SAY, THEY'RE LYING.

SEND THEM TO COURT.

>> MARK FINCHEM EARLIER THIS WEEK WAS LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO ATTENDED HIS TRIAL FOR HIS ELECTION LOSS, TO SERVICE A WITNESS AND WANTS TO PUT A JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT AGAINST THE JUDGE WHO RULED AND FOUND HE, INDEED, DID LOSE HIS CONTEST AND LOVEVIED LEVIED SANCTIONS.

>> HE'S BEEN CLUELESS NOW, FOR YEARS.

I COVERED HIM AS A STATE LEGISLATOR.

IF THERE IS JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT, THERE ARE TRANSCRIPTS AND THERE'S RECORDS AND THERE ARE WRITTEN DOCUMENTS.

WHAT A WITNESS SEES IN THE COURTROOM, YOU KNOW, THE FOUR OF US GOING IN AND ALL FOUR ATTORNEYS ON WHAT THE JUDGE DID IS IRRELEVANT AND LIKE SAYING I PLAY AN ATTORNEY ON TV AND THAT'S IT.

>> TO ANSWER TED'S QUESTION, YES,YES, THERE WILL BE MORE LAWSUITS.

THERE HAVEN'T BEEN SANCTIONS OF ANY AMOUNTS TO DETER SOMEBODY.

THESE ARE FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CANDIDATES OR INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS KARI LAKE AND MAYBE MARK FINCHEM AND I ASSUME THAT DWINDLED A BIT.

>> Ted: HOWIE, LET'S GO TO YOU ON THIS DARK MONEY DISCLOSURE LAW AND TALK TO US ABOUT THIS.

>> THE LAW PASSED BY VOTERS GOES TO THE FACT THAT IN ARIZONA, YOU HAVE A CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW AND SO, YOU CAN HAVE A GROUP THAT DOES INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES CALLED "ARIZONANS FOR ARIZONA" AND IT'S ALL VERY NICE.

YOU HAVE TRYING TO FIND OUT, WHO IS ARIZONANS FOR ARIZONA?

WHETHER FOR CANDIDATES CANDIDATES, YOU CAN'T JUST SAY, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM.

THERE ARE TWO LAWSUITS PENDING AGAINST THIS AND ONE OF THEM, THE ONE THAT WAS DECIDED THIS WEEK BY THE FREE ENTERPRISE CLUB AND THE CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY CHARGED, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT OR THE STATE EQUIVALENT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT IN THE CONSTITUTION AND A RIGHT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THE JUDGE SAID, NONE OF THAT PRECLUDES CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING.

IN FACT, THE FIRST LEGISLATURE WAS DIRECTED BY THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION TO PUT A CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING IN THERE.

AND WE GOT CASES LIKE CITIZENS UNITED AND EVEN THEY SAID WHILE YOU CAN'T STOP PEOPLE FROM CONTRIBUTING, YOU CAN REQUIRE A DISCLOSURE BECAUSE DISCLOSURE IS SUNSHINE.

>> Ted: THE ARGUMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE, IT'S A CHILLING EFFECT,, DONORS DON'T WANT TO BE KNOWN.

HE WANTED AN INJUNCTION TO DISMISS THE CASE AND THERE'S A CHALLENGE ON THIS LAW IN FEDERAL COURT.

MEANWHILE, THE RULES ARE DEVELOPED NOW FOR HOW THIS NEW LAW WILL BE ADMINISTERED BECAUSE WE'RE GOING INTO AN ELECTION CYCLE AND MONEY WILL FLOW.

>> ONE MORE IMPORTANT PART IN PEOPLE SAYING THEY'RE SCARED.

THERE'S AN ESCAPE CLAUSE BUILT SPOT LAWINTO THE LAW THAT IF YOU CAN SHOW THE CLEAN ELECTION'S MISSION, YOU CAN GET AN EXEMPTION AND HAVE YOUR IDENTITY HIDDEN.

>> Ted: YES.

>> THAT PULLS THE TEETH ON THAT.

>> Ted: APPEALS CERTAIN.

>> IF YOU FILE A LAWSUIT, YOU'RE INTENDING TO GO ALL THE WAY AND NO MATTER WHO LOSES, THIS WILL END UP IN THE SUPREME COURT AND I WOULD IMAGINE WE'LL SEE THAT.

>> Ted: WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE TECHNICALLY, THEY'RE STILL IN SESSION, JEREMY AND MAKING MONEY DOING NOTHING?

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM AROUND THE ALCOHOL CAPITOL UNTIL JULY 31 WHEN THEY ASSIGN SINE DI AND VOTERS WON'T SIGN THAT.

THEY GET PER DIEM AND AFTER 120 DAYS, IT GOES DOWN 10 BUCKS A DAY FOR PAIR MARICOPA COUNTY AND THEY'RE IN SESSION, NOT DOING ANYTHING.

AND ESPECIALLY ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

SENSIBLY, THE PURPOSE SO THEY CAN VET KATI HOBBS' NOMINEE THAT THEY HAVEN'T BOTHERED TO DO FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

SENATE IS ENCOURAGING TO OPT OUT BECAUSE THEY CAN DO THAT AND THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE BAD PRESS FROM GETTING PAID.

ON THE HOUSE SIDE, THE FORM SAYS IF YOU OPT OUT, YOU'RE NOT OPTING OUT TEMPORARILY BUT YOUR TWO-YEAR TERM.

YOU'RE IN OUR OUT, MAKE YOUR DECISION.

>> Ted: IS THAT A NEW FORM THEY'RE SIGNING, A NEW THING?

>> IT APPEARS TO BE AND MURKY WHERE THIS CAME FROM.

[ Laughter ] >> AND JUST TO PUT THIS IN CONTEXT, WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE PAID, $10 A PAID, A 47-DAY BREAK, SO $470 THAT LAWMAKERS IN MARICOPA COUNTY WOULD LEARN AND AT $119 TIMES 47 DAYS, I THINK IT'S 55, $5600.

AND THERE'S MONEY AT STAKE HERE AND THERE WAS SOME ACTIVITY AT THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

I SHOULD ADD THAT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS MET TO ELECT A NEW LEADER BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE CONAUE IS OFF TO WORK ON A MASTER'S DEGREE AND SPENT 11 HOURS TO ELECT THE NEW MINORITY LEADER.

>> Ted: SOUNDS LIKE A FUN WAY TO SPEND THE DAY.

>> THEY GOT PAID FOR IT.

>> THERE'S ANOTHER POINT BECAUSE I'VE BUN BEEN DOWN THERE SINCE '82.

WHY ARE THEY PAID ANYTHING?

I GO TO WORK TO THE CAPITOL AND I GET MY SALARY.

YOU COME TO WORK AND YOU DON'T GET A PER DIEM.

WHY ARE THEY ENTITLED TO ANYTHING?

WHETHER IT'S 35, WHICH IS WHAT IT IS FOR THE FIRST 120 DAYS.

DRIVING TO WORK IS PART OF YOUR JOB.

>> Ted: THAT'S BEEN A RECURRING ARGUMENT.

>> ISN'T IT SUPPOSED TO COVER MEALS.

>> I'M SAYING, AND I'M SURE THAT SOMEHOW THAT AZ CENTRAL AND ARIZONA REPUBLIC ARE GIVING YOU A PERDIEM FOR YOUR LUNCH.

>> RIGHT!

>> Ted: IS THERE TENSION, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE SENATE?

NOT SO FAST.

>> CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND ONE OF THEM, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THAT SENATE PRESIDENT PETERSEN IS CATERING TO THE CAUCUS TO KEEP THE MODERATES BECAUSE UNDER ARIZONA LAW, YOU CANNOT TAKE MONEY FROM LOBBYISTS WHILE IT'S IN SESSION AND THEY FIGURE THE BUSINESS REPUBLICANS WOULD BE GETTING HELP BY THE LOBBYISTS AND ALL THESE GREAT CONSPIRACY THEORIES HERE.

>> I ASKED SPEAKER TOMA TALKING ABOUT THIS NEW FORM, I SAID, WHY DON'T YOU SINE DI AND SAID WELL, WELL,IT TAKES TWO.

>> YOU CAN DO IT UNILATERALLY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, ANDY BIGGS.

>> Ted: IS THIS THE LONGEST SESSION IN HISTORY?

>> IT WILL BE AFTER THE END OF THE MONTH, AFTER JULY 1st AND WE CAN DEBATE WHETHER THERE'S GOOD REASON AND THEY'VE NEVER DECIDED TO DO IT LIKE THIS.

SO THIS WILL GO -- IF THEY GO TO JULY 31st AS INTENDED, SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER THAN THE LONGEST ON RECORD.

>> Ted: YAY OR NAY AND WILL IT BE PERPETUAL?

>> THEY HAVE TO BECAUSE THE FEW BILLS -- CAN'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL AFTER THE SESSION.

THEY COULD STAY HERE UNTIL DECEMBER 31st, HAVE THE NEW BILLS UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT SESSION.

>> Ted: OK, WE'LL WAIT FOR THAT.

PANEL, HARDWOOD GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING!

♪♪