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

WE'LL LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE EYEING A POSSIBLE RUN FOR CONGRESS.

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

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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, JEREMY DUDA OF AXIOS PHOENIX, JEREMY'S WIFE IS AN EMPLOYEE OF ARIZONA PBS.

ALSO JOINING US CAMRYN SANCHEZ OF KJZZ RADIO AND DENNIS WELCH OF CBS 5 AND 3TV.

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

JEREMY, ADRIAN FONTES GOING ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING I'M INTERESTED.

I'M INTERESTED.

>> QUITE INTERESTED.

LAST FRIDAY, THE DAY THAT A CONGRESSMAN DIED, THERE WAS SCUTTLEBUTT ON TWITTER, PEOPLE SAYING SECRETARY FONTES IS CONSIDERING RUNNING, AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW SERIOUSLY TO TAKE IT.

WAS IT SIMILAR TO A FEW MONTHS AGO HE PUT HIS NAME OUT, I'M CONSIDERING RUNNING AGAINST KATIE HOBBS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND KNEW AND THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN, AND A FEW DAYS AGO, HE SAID I'M OFFICIAL, CONSIDERING THIS, PUT OUT AN E-MAIL TO STAFF, AND THAT'S PRETTY DEFINITIVE.

NOT SOMETHING HE WOULD BE DOING IF HE DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD IDEA HE WAS GOING TO GET INTO THE RACE.

TED: LET'S SAY HE SHOWS MORE INTEREST.

DOES THAT MAKE HIM THE FRONT-RUNNER IN THE RACE?

>> I WOULD SAY A FRONT-RUNNER, NOT THE FRONT-RUNNER.

I DON'T WANT TO DISCOUNT THE OTHER NAMES GRIJALVA, THE CONGRESSMAN'S DAUGHTER AND IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND IN THE COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME.

THOUGH HE'S THE BIG SHOT AND HAS THE HIGHEST POSITION NOW, IT'S A NAME TO CONSIDER.

TED: DANIEL HERNANDEZ AS WELL?

>> A TUCSON DEMOCRAT.

HE'S A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER, THAT'S DEFINITELY ONE FLOATED OUT THERE, AND SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES ARE TOSSED OUT THERE.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION FOR MR. FONTES IS ARE YOU UNHAPPY WITH YOUR JOB AS SECRETARY OF STATE?

AS JEREMY WAS POINTING OUT, HE WAS PUTTING RUMORS OUT THERE HE WAS GOING TO CHALLENGE KATIE HOBBS IN A PRIMARY.

NOW HE'S TWEETING ABOUT THIS, SENDING MEMOS TO STAFF ABOUT THIS.

WHY DOES HE WANT TO GET OUT OF SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SO BAD?

TED: DOES THIS MEAN, HE PULLED BACK FROM THE GOVERNOR TALK HERE, DOES IT MEAN HE WILL PULL BACK MORE FROM THE GOVERNOR TALK?

>> I THINK, YEAH, THAT WOULD BE MY READ OF THIS.

AND SEEMS LIKE HE IS A LOT MORE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

ONE BIG HURTLE FOR HIM IS HE DOESN'T LIVE THERE.

HASN'T LIVED DOWN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

HE GREW UP IN NOGALES AND GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT THAT.

HE'S KIND OF BEEN A PHOENIX GUY FOR QUITE AWHILE.

IS THAT AN ISSUE IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA?

I'M NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH THE POLITICS OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA AS I AM HERE IN THE VALLEY.

HERE IN THE VALLEY, ABE HAMADEH LIVES IN SCOTTSDALE.

HE CAN RUN ON THE WEST SIDE, NOBODY CARES.

WHEN IT COMES TO DOWN THERE, ARE THEY GOING TO CARE ADRIAN FONTES HASN'T LIVED DOWN THERE FOR A WHILE?

THAT'S A BIG QUESTION.

TED: HE WOULD HAVE TO RESIGN IF HE FILES PAPERS TO RUN, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

THE FILING DEADLINE IS APRIL 14.

THAT IS THE LAST DAY HE WOULD HAVE.

WHEN HE FILES TO RUN -- KNOCKS OVER ANOTHER DOMINO HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A VACANCY IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, POSSIBLY MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT DOMINO FALLING HERE BECAUSE GOING TO BE UP FOR ELECTION NEXT YEAR, THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO HOLD THE SEAT.

THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO TAKE IT BACK.

KATIE HOBBS WILL HAVE A BIG DECISION WHO'S GOING TO REPLACE HER FORMER JOB AND SECRETARY FONTES' JOB.

TED: PLAY THAT OUT.

ARE THERE NAMES YOU EXPECT TO SEE SHOULD HE MAKE IT OFFICIAL?

>> NOT OUTSIDE OF GOSSIP.

I THINK ONE OF THE COUNTY ELECTION OFFICIALS WOULD MAKE SENSE BECAUSE HYPOTHETICALLY YOU WANT SOMEONE WITH SOME ELECTION EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS BECAUSE IT'S VERY COMPLICATED AND INVOLVES A LOT OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATUTE AND LAW AROUND ELECTIONS.

NOT NECESSARILY A FUN JOB, AS DENNIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MENTIONING.

WOULD HAVE TO BE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT, WOULDN'T IT, TO REPLACE FONTES?

>> ANOTHER DEMOCRAT.

YOU MENTIONED THE COUNTY.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING DEFINITIVE, STEVE YARBROUGH HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

WANTED TO RUN TO BE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR HIM.

WOULD SHE BE WILLING TO APPOINT HIM TO THAT?

OR FORMER STATE LAWMAKER REGIONAL REGINALD BOLDING, WOULD HE BE OPEN TO THAT?

>> THE PAST COUPLE DAYS, MAKING CALLS TO DEMOCRATIC SOURCES.

NOT A NAME THAT CAME UP A LOT, A GO-TO POSSIBILITY, AND I THINK SOME FOLKS THOUGHT HE MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED.

I SPOKE TO HIM TODAY, VERY MUCH INTERESTED.

HE HAS THE RELATIONSHIP.

I THINK IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT POLITICAL CALCULUS KATIE HOBBS IS GOING TO LOOK AT HERE, THAT VERY WELL MIGHT BE A TOUGH RACE, GALLARDO, HE IS A MOUTHY BOMB THROWER AND RELISHED THAT ROLE AND PULLED BACK A LOT FROM THAT SINCE HE'S BEEN AT THE COUNTY.

BUT IS THAT GOING TO BE A FACTOR, RUNNING A STATEWIDE RACE IN A COMPETITIVE BUT REPUBLICAN-LEANING STATE.

TED: ALL OF THIS BECAUSE ADRIAN FONTES WENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO SAY HE IS INTERESTED.

LET'S GO ON A DIFFERENT DIRECTION HERE, IN WASHINGTON, D.C., A SWANKY NIGHTCLUB OUT THERE, MEMBERS ONLY, AND A COUPLE OF ARIZONANS BUMPED INTO EACH OTHER.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THEY'RE ACT AS ARIZONANS DO.

WE HAD OUR NEW CONGRESSMAN -- SENATOR, EXCUSE ME, SENATOR RUBEN GALLEGO COMING OUT OF THIS FANCY CLUB AND RUNG INTO NONE OTHER THAN FORMER OPPONENT KARI LAKE WHO GRABBED HIS HAND WITH TWO HANDS, PULLED HIM IN AND SAID HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT BEING BOUGHT OFF BY DRUG CARTELS?

AND SEEMS LIKE HIS RESPONSE WAS FLIPPANT AND HE WAS LIKE I SLEEP GREAT KNOWING THAT I BEAT YOU.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> SOUNDS LIKE THE BEGINNING OF A JOKE, RIGHT?

CHECK THIS OUT.

OKAY, RUBEN GALLEGO AND KARI LAKE WALK INTO A BAR, YOU KNOW, AND IT GOT WEIRD.

IT SHOWS HAS SHE GOTTEN OVER THE LOSS?

FEELS LIKE SHE'S STILL REALLY STUNG BY THIS.

>> OVER THE LAST LOSS.

TED: JEREMY, IS THIS CONSIDERED A CHARM OFFENSIVE?

WHO SAYS WAY TO GO KARI, WHEN YOU SAY AND DO STUFF LIKE THIS?

>> SHE HAS A VERY HARD CORE BASE OF SUPPORTERS WHO OBVIOUSLY ARE GOING TO CHEER THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR.

FOR EVERYONE ELSE, I THINK LOOK AT IT AND SAY WHY WOULD YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA?

WHY WOULD YOU THINK THIS IS HOW SOMEONE IS SUPPOSED TO ACT?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE THE GUY.

HE BEAT YOU, IT WAS A NASTY CAMPAIGN.

I DON'T EXPECT PEOPLE WHO RUN AGAINST EACH OTHER TO BE BEST FRIENDS AFTERWARDS, BUT SEEMS LIKE A LACK OF DECORUM THAT AFTER THE BITTER RACES, YOU DON'T REALLY SEE AMONG BETWEEN FORMER OPPONENTS, AND SHE'S STILL VERY MUCH IN THE MIX POLITICALLY.

SHE'S OVER PRESIDENT TRUMP PUT HER IN CHARGE OF AN AGENCY THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

SHE'S STILL OUT THERE.

STILL HAS A WAR ROOM TWITTER ACCOUNT, THOUGH SHE'S NOT A CANDIDATE OUT THERE.

SHE'S OUT THERE AS A PARTISAN POLITICAL FIGURE.

TED: BUT WITH THE VOICE OF AMERICA, ISN'T THAT LIKE GETTING A SET OF KEYS FOR THE OFFICE AND THE KEYS DON'T WORK?

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS?

>> SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LEADING THE VOICE OF AMERICA, AND GOT DESTROYED AND APPOINTED TO LEAD THE OVERSIGHT AGENCY.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE THEY OVERSEE NOW.

THEY'LL BE STARTING A NEW ROLE OR TRANSFORMING IT TO SOMETHING ELSE.

THE POINT OF THE COMBATIC INTERACTION SAYS TO BAIT THE OTHER PERSON INTO DOING SOMETHING BACK RETALIATORY AND USE THAT RESPONSE AGAINST THEM.

IN THIS CASE, HE WASN'T EXPLOSIVE ENOUGH TO TURN IT BACK AROUND ON HIM, BUT CAN YOU GET SOMEONE TO SHOVE THE CAMERA OR SHOVE THE PERSON AND ENDS UP WORKING IN THEIR FAVOR.

>> THAT INTERACTION IS ABOUT GETTING ATTENTION, ATTENTION IS AN IMPORTANT COMMODITY IN MODERN POLITICS, AND I THINK WHEN SHE IS REPORTED TO HAVE DONE THINGS LIKE THIS, THIS GETS THE KIND OF ATTENTION I THINK SHE LIKES.

SHE'S SEEN AS A FIGHTER, COMBATIVE, AND IS THAT THE THING THAT REVERBERATES THROUGHOUT THE MAGA PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.?

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HER POSITION IS NOW BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, SHE SHOWS UP TO WORK, THE KEYS DON'T WORK, DOESN'T KNOW THE OFFICE OR WHAT NOT, AND TRYING TO FIND A ROLE FOR HER, THIS HELPS HER STAY REVEL IN THE CONVERSATION AS THEY LOOK IN THE FUTURE WHERE, CAN WE STICK HER?

TED: IS SHE RELEVANT IN THE CONVERSATION?

>> AS LONG AS SHE IS GETTING IN THE NEWS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HER JOB IS RIGHT NOW, BUT I'M SURE SHE'LL BE AROUND.

IT'S A FEW MONTHS INTO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SHE'S OBVIOUSLY KEEPING HER NAME OUT THERE AND I'M SURE WANTS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN THE ADMINISTRATION IN SOME CAPACITY, AND MIGHT HELP KEEP HER ON THE RADAR.

TED: WHO WANTS TO TAKE THIS ONE.

BOY, OH, BOY, THE WEEDS ARE HIGH HERE.

DES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, DCS AND CONGREGATE CARE, JEREMY, DESCRIBE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE, WHY AT THE BASE LEVEL, YOU GOT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR JUST FIRING NASTY MEMOS BACK AND FORTH.

>> THIS IS A SEQUEL TO A PREVIOUS BUDGET FIGHT, NOWHERE CLOSE TO RESOLVED.

START WITH THE FIRST ONE, YOU MENTIONED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

I THINK $112 MILLION SHORTFALL AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM.

LEGISLATURE ACCUSES THE GOVERNOR OF CONTINUING TO RUN A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM THAT NO LONGER HAS FEDERAL FUNDING, AND SO YOU ENDED UP WITH THE GIANT HOLE IN THE BUDGET.

IF THAT HOLE DOES NOT GET FILLED, IT'S GOING TO FALL ON A LOT OF VERY VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE FUNDING, CAREGIVERS NEED THE FUNDING, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO RUN OUT IN A FEW WEEKS.

THIS WEEK, WHAT YOU HAD WAS DIFFERENT ALPHABET AGENCY, DCS, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY, MUCH SMALLER SHORTFALL.

$6.5 MILLION FOR CONGREGATE CARE.

GROUP HOMES FOR FOSTER KIDS THAT THE STATE FUNDS.

GOVERNOR HOBBS WASN'T ASKING FOR NEW MONEY TO BE TRANSFERRED OVER FROM ANOTHER PART OF DCS'S BUDGET TO THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE, THIS WAS ANOTHER SIGN OF INCOMPETENCE IN BUDGETING BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE AGENCY DID NOT WARN THE LEGISLATURE UNTIL LATE IN THE GAME.

SEEMS LIKE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE COMING SHORTFALL FOR A WHILE.

THEY APPROVED THE TRANSFER OF THE FUNDING BUT NOT WITHOUT TAKING POLITICAL POUND OF FLESH, TOO.

TED: AND CAMRYN, THE HOUSE HAS AN AD HOC COMMITTEE ON BUDGET MISMANAGEMENT.

>> YES, A BIT OF A SLAP IN THE FACE OR INTENDED TO BE.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PRESS RELEASES, PRESS CONFERENCES, SPEECHES, I WON'T SAY GRANDSTANDING ON THE TOPICS.

A LOT OF FINGER-POINTING AND NAME-CALLING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS.

I THINK IT WILL GET FIXED AND NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE THE FALL FOR THIS CONTINUING SERVICES THAT BENEFIT PEOPLE IN NEED, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S KIDS, BUT VERY MESSY AND THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO NOT BE THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE OR THE FACE OF THIS ISSUE.

TED: TRANSFERRING THESE FUNDS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE MOST UNUSUAL THING, IS IT?

112 IS A LITTLE HIGH, BUT THE 6 MILLION?

>> IT HAPPENS, AND THIS IS THE KIND OF THING YOU SEE -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, YOU SEE IT A LOT IN THE SPRING BECAUSE EVERY YEAR YOU'RE BUDGETING, YOU THINK YOU HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY AND THIS MUCH MONEY GOES TO THAT AGENCY OR THAT.

THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL, I THINK, TO SEE THESE KINDS OF, YOU HAVE THE BACKFILL AND FUND THE AGENCIES THAT MAY BE RUNNING SHORT AT THIS TIME, AND YOU WOULD EXPECT THESE KIND OF FIGHTS IN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

WE DIDN'T SEE THESE KINDS OF FIGHTS WHEN YOU HAD A REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

NOW EVERYBODY CAN USE MOMENTS LIKE THIS TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS.

YOU ARE THE ONE NOT FUNDING THIS.

NO, NO, GOVERNOR, YOU'RE THE ONE NOT DOING THIS.

WE'RE STARTING OUR COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT.

AS IF THAT'S NOT A LEADING TITLE FOR A COMMITTEE ITSELF, RIGHT?

TED: AND JEREMY, THE LEGISLATURE IS SAYING THE GOVERNOR OVERSPENT, SHE IGNORED REALITY AND DEMANDED A BAILOUT FOR WHAT YOU ACCURATELY DESCRIBE AS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT LOST ALL FEDERAL MONEY.

DO THEY HAVE A POINT?

>> I CAN'T SAY THAT I KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE SUPER INTRICATE DETAIL, THAT DEEP IN THE WEEDS WHO REALLY SAT FAULT?

A LITTLE FROM COLUMN A, A LITTLE FROM COLUMN B, IN THE END, YOU HAVE A LOT OF BRINKSMANSHIP, WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE UNDERSTANDS TOO IS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET BLAMED IF THE FUNDING IS NOT APPROPRIATED AND THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR THE FUNDING THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T DO.

A LOT OF VERY VISIBLE, NASTY EFFECTS OF THAT, AND THE GOVERNOR IS THE ONE STANDING UP AND POINTING AT THE LEGISLATURE SAYING SEE WHAT THEY DID?

THEY'LL SPEND THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF LEADING UP TO ELECTION SAYING GOVERNOR HOBBS MESSED US UP AND WE HAVE TO BAIL HER OUT AND USE THAT AS ATTACK LINE.

IF FUNDING ISN'T APPROPRIATE.

TED: THE FUNDING HAS TO BE APPROPRIATED.

>> I THINK IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET, EVERYONE IS A LITTLE BIT RESPONSIBLE.

NO ONE IS CLEARLY AN EXPERT ON THE TOPIC BUT A LOT OF LAWMAKERS VOTED ON THE BUDGET.

TED: STICK WITH YOU.

EXECUTION, AARON GUNCHES, FIRST EXECUTION SINCE THREE WERE PUT TO DEATH IN 2022.

THE GOVERNOR USED MISMANAGEMENT AS PART OF THE DEATH PROCESS, PUTTING THE EXECUTION PROCESS, ANY MISMANAGEMENT THIS TIME AROUND?

>> RELATIVELY NO.

THAT'S NICE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THE DEATH PENALTY IS WRONG AND A LOT OF POLITICS BEHIND IT, AND THE METHOD OF WHICH WE DO THIS BECAUSE IN THE PAST, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF BOTCHED EXECUTIONS THAT TOOK A LONG TIME.

THE PERSON APPEARED TO BE IN PAIN, WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY TERRIBLE, NOBODY WANTED THAT.

THERE WAS ISSUES WITH PROCURING THE DRUGS WE NEED TO DO.

LETHAL INJECTIONS AND TALK OF MAYBE ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF KILLING PEOPLE.

TED: TALK ABOUT THAT.

FIRING SQUAD?

SOME STATES ARE BACK DOING THIS.

>> YES, AND WE HAVE ONE TRIGGER HAPPY LAWMAKER, I WILL SAY.

I HAD TO SAY IT.

I HAD TO SAY IT.

WHO HAS A BILL WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO USE THAT METHOD OF EXECUTION.

THERE IS DEBATE OVER IT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME RESEARCH THAT HE'S CITING THAT COMES OUT OF A GUY'S REPORT THAT HOBBS REQUESTED THAT HE THINKS IT IS MORE HUMANE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, THE GOVERNOR, WHEN SHE GOT INTO OFFICE, SHE WAS GOING TO FORM A COMMITTEE, SOMETHING TO STUDY WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE EXECUTIONS, AND I BELIEVE IN THAT REPORT THAT THEY ISSUED, THE PERSON WHO AUTHORED THAT SAID IT WOULD BE MORE HUMANE TO LINE PEOPLE UP AND SHOOT THEM.

TED: WAS THAT THE REPORT THAT WAS ACCEPTED OR THE SECOND REPORT?

>> I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE REPORTS, BUT I DO KNOW THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE VERBIAGE USED.

TED: THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE FIRST ONE.

THIS HAS GOT QUITE THE HISTORY.

EXECUTIONS IN ARIZONA WITH MISMANAGEMENT, BOTCHED EXECUTIONS, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GETTING INVOLVED, ATTORNEY GENERAL GETTING INVOLVED.

A ROUGH ROAD.

>> YES, THIS EXECUTION HAD A LOT OF CONTROVERSY, BUT NOT FROM THE PERSON WHO WAS EXECUTED.

HE WAS FOR IT.

ALMOST 20 YEARS SAYING DOING THE GARY GILMORE THING SAYING LET'S DO IT.

GOVERNOR HOBBS AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES GOT INTO OFFICE JANUARY 2023, AND SAID HEY, WE'RE GOING TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON, PUT THIS FORMER FEDERAL JUDGE IN CHARGE OF RESEARCHING THE LETHAL INJECTION PROTOCOLS IN 2022, THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS THERE WAS EXECUTION BECAUSE IN 2014 THE JOSEPH WOOD EXECUTION WENT BADLY.

MARK BRNOVICH AND DOUG DUCEY NEVER HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON, AND WE'RE READY TO DO IT.

IN 2022, THEY HAD THREE EXECUTIONS, THAT WENT NOT BADLY AS 2014 BUT NOT SUPER GREAT.

RACHEL MITCHELL, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, DID NOT WANT TO WAIT.

CAN I ASK FOR THE DEATH WARRANT MYSELF, AND BEFORE THE CASE PLAYED OUT, KRIS MAYES SAID WE'RE GOING TO KILL THIS GUY AND IT'S TIME TO GET THIS DONE.

TED: AND THE GUY WAS KILLED.

>> HE WAS KILLED.

TED: DENNIS, KEEP IT MOVING HERE, WE GOT CHASE FIELD RENOVATIONS AND THE IDEA BEING THAT YOU CAN RECAPTURE THE FUNDS THAT THE DIAMONDBACKS, THE REVENUE THEY GENERATE, USUALLY GOES TO PHOENIX, THE GENERAL FUND, THIS SAYS LET'S KEEP IT WITH THE DIAMONDBACKS AND IMPROVE CHASE FIELD?

>> YEAH, THIS BILL IS IN A LOT OF TROUBLE UNLESS IT GETS AMENDED.

I'VE HEARD THERE ARE THINGS IN THE WORKS THEY ARE GOING TO AMEND THIS.

MAYOR OF THE CITY PUT OUT A LETTER THIS PAST WEEK EXPRESSING REAL SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THIS, AND NUMBER ONE IS A CAP IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN GO BACK INTO THE FUND TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES TO THE STADIUM.

THEY WANT TO CAP THAT BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING BACK TO THAT COULD FAR EXCEED WHAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN PROJECTING, I THEREIN WAS A FISCAL NOTE PUT OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE AT THE CITY ARE LOOKING AT AND KIND OF SKEPTICAL OF IT BECAUSE IT'S BASED ON THINGS LIKE THE AVERAGE PERSON GOES AND BUYS A $5 BEER AND PAYS FOR A $3 HOT DOG.

I'M TOLD THEY EXIST THERE, BUT ALSO TOLD YOU GOT TO GET ALL INDIANA JONES AND GO SEARCH FOR IT THROUGHOUT THE STADIUM.

SO THERE'S THINGS WORKING THERE, WHERE YOU COULD AMEND THAT.

AND I KNOW ANOTHER BIG CONCERN ABOUT THIS BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE IS THE PENALTY IF THE DIAMONDBACKS LEAVE EARLY, IF THEY LEAVE BEFORE 2035 IS ONLY $10 MILLION THEY HAVE TO PAY.

THERE'S A PENALTY IF THEY DECIDE TO LEAVE CHASE FIELD EARLY, AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AND SAYING THAT'S CHICKEN FEED FOR ORGANIZATIONS THIS LARGE.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE IN THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE AN AMENDMENT INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MESNARD THAT'S GOING TO INTRODUCE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THEY RAISED EARLY THIS WEEK.

THERE WILL BE A CAP, $500 MILLION AGGREGATE INDEX TO INFLATION.

THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE INCOME TAX PART OUT OF THIS.

THE SALES TAX FUNDS MOST OF THIS.

INCOME TAX ELEMENT IS GOING TO BE REMOVED.

THERE IS GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUIRED OF THE COUNTY, OF MARICOPA COUNTY, BECAUSE THE MAYOR IS CONCERNED, SAYING WE DON'T OWN, THIS WE'RE PUTTING UP THIS MONEY IN THE COUNTY BUILDING.

ONE THING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO, THING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ADDRESS IS THE MAYOR'S CONCERNS THAT THE DIAMONDBACKS DON'T HAVE TO SPEND ANY OF THEIR OWN MONEY.

THERE'S A LEGISLATIVE FINDING AS WELL, THE DIAMONDBACKS PLEDGE TO COMMIT $250 MILLION OF THEIR OWN MONEY INTO THIS.

KATE GALLEGO WANTS ASSURANCE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO DO THAT.

THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE AMENDMENT.

MORE TIME TO FIGHT OVER THIS BECAUSE IT HAS TO GO TO SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> PICKED UP, MORE FUNDAMENTALLY, PICKED UP ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THERE ARE CONSERVATIVES THAT AREN'T LOOKING FORWARD TO FUNDING A SPORTS FACILITY JUST ON FISCAL GROUNDS, RIGHT?

THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT WAY.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, THEY'RE NOT REALLY COMFORTABLE HELPING BILLIONAIRES OUT WITH THEIR SPORTS FACILITY STUFF.

I'M PICKING UP SOME OF THAT IN THE FUNDAMENTAL POLITICS OF THIS BILL.

TED: IS THERE NOT A LOOPHOLE, ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR OF PHOENIX, REGARDING DEVELOPMENT IN THE ABILITY OF THE DIAMONDBACKS OWNERSHIP TO DEVELOP THE LAND AROUND THERE?

>> YES, SHE SENT A LONG -- NOT THAT LONG -- BUT SUBSTANTIAL LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, IF THIS BILL MAKES IT TO YOUR DESK, PLEASE VETO IT, A TERRIBLE IDEA, AND GIVING SPECIAL STUFF TO A SPECIFIC SPORTS TEAM.

WHY ARE WE DOING THAT FOR THEM AND NOT OTHER PEOPLE?

BY THE WAY, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE POTENTIAL REPERCUSSIONS LIKE THEY COULD BUILD OUT FURTHER THAN JUST INSIDE THE STADIUM, AND IT COULD FUND THINGS LIKE LUXURIES THAT THEY'RE NOT SAYING THEY NEED AND SAYING THEY NEED THIS MONEY FOR REVAMPING THEIR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, WITH YOU IF THEY'RE GETTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WE DON'T KNOW THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE IT FOR AND THAT'S NOT FAIR.

AND SHOULD GO PARTLY TO THE CITY GENERAL FUND.

TED: THE GOVERNOR HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE IDEA, HAS SHE NOT?

>> I DON'T THINK SHE SPECIFICALLY SAID SHE WILL 100% SIGN IT.

TED: SHE WILL LESS THAN VETO IT.

>> I THINK EVERYONE IS IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THE TEAM HERE AND KNOWING THEY GENERATE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> THE LAST TIME I ASKED HER, TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO, SHE SAID SOMETHING TO THE REPORTERS ABOUT HOPING THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CITY COULD COME ON BOARD AND BE RESOLVED.

I ASKED DOES THAT MEAN YOU ARE WILLING TO SIGN IT?

SHE SAID NO, NO.

IT DOES INDICATE SHE'S ON BOARD WITH THE BILL AS IT WAS, THINGS HAVE CHANGED WITH THE VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT THE MAYOR RAISED.

BEFORE THE CITY DIDN'T LIKE TAKING MONEY FROM THE CITY, BUT SEEMED LIKE A GENERAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CITY IS LOSING MONEY.

THIS IS VERY SPECIFIC.

A SUBSTANTIAL LETTER, AS CAMRYN MENTIONED, WITH A LOT OF EYEBROW-RAISING POINTS, AND THE THINGS SHE INVOKED.

ESAs, FINANCIAL RUNAWAY PROGRAMS, THAT'S BOUND TO GET ANYONE'S ATTENTION AT THE CAPITOL.

>> EVERYONE WANTS TO KEEP THE DIAMONDBACKS PLAYING AT CHASE FIELD.

THAT IS TRUE.

YOU TALK TO EVERYBODY ABOUT THIS.

THEY UNDERSTAND THAT LONGTIME PHOENICIANS, ARIZONANS OUT THERE, THEY KNOW DOWNTOWN PHOENIX.

THERE IS A BEFORE THE STADIUM WAS BUILT AND AFTER THE STADIUM IS BUILT.

THERE'S BEEN AN ANCHOR OF A DOWNTOWN AND DON'T WANT TO SEE A PUBLIC ASSET THAT IS ALREADY BIT, DON'T WANT TO SEE IT SIT EMPTY.

THAT CREATES A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE HERE.

I'M WONDERING, ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE AND IF THEY CAN GET THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THROUGH AND THROUGH INTO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> AND NARROW THE GAP, $479 MILLION HIT TO PHOENIX AND PHOENIX SAYING, IT'S MORE LIKE A BILLION.

THAT'S A BIG GAP AND GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHY THAT IS.

BEFORE WE GO, SPEAKING OF MONEY, IS THERE A LATEST ON THE BUDGET DOWN THERE?

IS ANYONE WORKING?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> IF THEY ARE, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

THE GOVERNOR SAID RECENTLY, CAN THE REPUBLICANS SEND A SUBSTANTIAL PROPOSAL?

THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THEY FOUGHT ABOUT WITH THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH THE BUDGET.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T SENT REAL PROPOSAL.

YOU HAVEN'T SENT YOUR PROPOSAL.

WELL YOUR PROPOSAL IS STUPID, THAT KIND OF STUFF.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SOUNDS LIKE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

SOUND ABOUT RIGHT?

>> IT DOES SOUND LIKE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

WITH THE INSTABILITY OF THE MARKETS, THEY WANT TO HOLD OFF UNTIL MAY AND GET MAY NUMBERS TO BUDGET OUT FOR THE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF -- NOT A LOT OF STABILITY WITH THE MARKETS, COULD WE BE HEADING FOR RECESSION?

I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF WHAT THEY'RE BUDGETING ON, BECAUSE YOU GOT TO HIT A NUMBER OF WHAT YOU EXPECT TO GET.

TED: THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT, THE UNCERTAINTY OVER THE ECONOMY HAS TO BE A FACTOR.

>> LUCKILY FOR THEM, LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE MONTHS AWAY FROM A BUDGET AGREEMENT.

PLENTY OF TIME TO SEE HOW THE MARKETS DO BEFORE THEY AGREE ON SOMETHING AT MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 30 AND GO HOME.

>> THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO HAVE RECESSION, BUT WITH THE CUTS TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS, ARIZONA GETS A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING.

OUR STATE DOLLARS ARE TIED TO FEDERAL FUNDING AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

>> GREAT POINT, THE POLITICAL INSTABILITY THERE TOO, BECAUSE IN WASHINGTON, THEY'RE GOING TO CUT MEDICAID AND THIS AND THAT AND BACK AND FORTH.

WE'RE ONE OF THE STATES WE START CUTTING INTO MEDICAID, WE'RE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, BY THE VOTERS, YOU HAVE TO BACKFILL, YOU HAVE TO COVER THAT UP TO 100% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE.

IF THAT HAPPENED, THAT WOULD BE A BIG HIT TO THE STATE.

TED: WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

THAT HAS TO BE GAMED INTO THE MODELS THEY'RE LOOKING AT?

>> I WOULD THINK SO.

THE MEDICAID EXPANSION, THE FEDERAL FUNDING DROPS AND IMMEDIATELY GOES AWAY BASED ON WHATEVER THE DOLLAR FIGURES ON, AND THE STUFF THAT THE VOTERS MANDATE.

THAT CAN GO AWAY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

WITH THE VOTERS MANDATE UP TO 100% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

THAT HAS TO BE COVERED.

TED: WE'LL STOP IT RIGHT THERE.

PANEL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.