>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL, KR JOINS US AND TAKING ART TO THE PEOPLE WITH THE MOBILE ART'S LAB.

THAT'S NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> Announcer: THIS HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FRIENDS OF PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION.

THANK YOU.

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY PASSED A STATE BUDGET THAT LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE PASSED JUST BEFORE SUNRISE THIS MORNING AFTER AN OVERNIGHT SESSION.

SENATE REPUBLICANS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR THE BUDGET AND MOST DEMOCRATS TO, TOO, BUT NOT BEFORE DEMOCRATS WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT THE DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR, KATIE HOBBS WORKED OUT.

DEMOCRATS CRITICIZED THE AGREEMENT BUT THE BUDGET PILLS BILLS PASSED AND MUCH MORE LATER ON IN THE SHOW.

>>> A COURT HEARING IN FLAGSTAFF REGARDING A RESTRAINING ORDER BY WENDY ROGERS AGAINST CAMRYN SANCHEZ WHILE RESEARCHING A STORY ON JUST WHERE ROGERS ACTUALLY LIVES.

SHE CLAIMED THIS WAS A FORM OF HARASSMENT AND A FLAGSTAFF JUDGE AGREED AND THE CAPITAL TIMES IS CALLING THIS, QUOTE, BASELESS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>>> PHOENIX BEGAN CLEARING OUT OF THE INCANTMENT AND THEY'RE LIVING UNDER TARPS AND VEHICLES WERE THERE TO UNLOAD PEOPLE AND THEIR BELONGINGS AND TAKING THEM TO HOTEL ROOMS AFTER COURT ORDERED THE CITY TO CLEAN UPA PROVIDE ALTERNATE FORMS OF HOUSING AND THE CITY EXPECTS THE PROCESS OF CLEANING OUT THE AREA WILL TAKE UP TO TWO WEEKS.

>>> ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL, KRIS MAYES, EXPRESSING CONCERNS OVER THE WATER POLICY AND THE LAND BY HEDGE FUNDS AND WE WELCOME ATTORNEY GENERAL KRIS MAYES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WATER THINGS AND THIS BUDGET.

WE FOUND OUT THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED IT AND EXPECTED TO SIGN IT AND YOU'RE NOT ENAMORED BY THIS BUDGET AND WHY?

>> I'M NOT A FAN, NO.

GOVERNOR HOBBS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB BATTING DOWN TERRIBLE BILLS THIS SESSION.

SHE'S DONE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS AS GOVERNOR, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO GETTING UP TO BAT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA IN THIS BUDGET, I THINK, SHE AND THE REPUBLICANS AND THE LEGISLATURE STRUCK OUT.

THEY WIFFED.

THIS IS NOT A GOOD BUDGET AND DOESN'T DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA.

THE MOST CONCERNING THING, IT ESSENTIALLY COMPLETELY IGNORED THE OUT OF--CONTROL UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA EATING UP $300 MILLION OF OUR BUDGET AND CLIMBING.

THEY HAD A CHANCE IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS TO CAP THAT PROGRAM OR AT LEAST TO PUT AN INCOME TEST ON THAT PROGRAM.

ECONOMY.

WHAT'S SUFFERING IS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MY OFFICE HAS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THIS BUDGET AND OUR ABILITY TO FIGHT THE FEDERAL CRISIS AN ON AND ON.

>> Ted: WAS YOUR OFFICE, NO INCREASES AND ARE THEY ENOUGH TO COVER INFLATION?

>> NO INCREASES TO COVER INFLATION AND SO ESSENTIALLY WE EFFECTIVE RECEIVED CUTS IN SEVERAL AREAS AND THIS BUDGET PUSHES US TO THE BRINK OF DISASTER NEXT YEAR.

OUR CRIMINAL DIVISION, OUR CONSUMER FRAUD DIVISION AND MOST CONCERNINGLY ARE OUR CHILD AND FAMILY PROTECTIVE DIVISION WAY 35% VACANCY RATE AND INVOLVING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

WE ASKED THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE TO GIVE AN INCREASE TO GIVE OUR LAWYERS A SALARY INCREASE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

WE DIDN'T GET IT BECAUSE OF THIS OUT-OF-CONTROL, IN PART, FREIGHT TRAIN THAT IS THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

>> Ted: QUOTE FROM YOU, IT'S IT'SPOLITICALLY EXPEDIENT FOR YOU.

FOR WHOM?

>> I GUESS ALL OF THREE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO GOT THESE PORK BELLY PROJECTS THAT THEY JAMMED INTO THIS BUDGET.

I MEAN, THIS BUDGET WOULD MAKE JOHN McCAIN BLANCH.

YOU KNOW, IT'S FILLED WITH PORK.

LAST TIME I CHECKED, I THOUGHT REPUBLICANS WERE AGAINST PORK.

I'M GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, TED.

THE PRESCOTT FRONT DAYS RODEO, WHICH I GREW UP FROM AND I LOVE THE RODEO AND THEY GOT $400 AND MY BUDGET TO GO AFTER THE CARTEL WAS CUT.

EXPLAIN THAT.

THESE WERE BAD CHOICES THAT THEY MADE.

>> Ted: MUCH MORE ON THE BUDGET HERE COMING UP.

WE'LL GET KEEPER INTO THE WEEDS, BUT SQUARE OVERALL, YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT AND IN AN OFFICE THAT HASN'T SEEN A DEMOCRAT IN A LITTLE WHILE AND GOVERNOR HOBBS IS IN OFFICE AND HASN'T SEEN A DEMOCRAT IN A LONG WHILE.

IS THIS SURPRISING CONSIDERING THE NEW LOGISTICS SCHEMATICS?

>> YOU KNOW, LISTEN, I TRY TO CALL IT LIKE IT IS.

I MEAN, I DON'T CARE WHAT LETTER IS BEHIND SOMEBODY'S NAME AND SO, WHETHER IT'S A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR OR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, I'M JUST TRYING TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA.

THAT'S MY JOB AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M CALLING IT LIKE IT IS AND I HOPE WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB NEXT YEAR.

I CERTAINLY HOPE WE CAN GET CONTROL OF IT AND I'LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GET CONTROL OF THOSE ESA'S AND VOUCHERS.

LOOK, HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE.

WE HAVE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GOING TO WEALTHY PARENTS AND SCHOOLS LIKE PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, BROPHY AND ALL SAINTS.

THAT'S NOT OK. THAT'S TAXPAYERS GOING TO THE WEALTHY.

I DON'T THINK ARIZONANS ARE OK WITH THAT.

>> Ted: MUCH MORE ON THE BUDGET ON THE BUDGET IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

YOU'RE NOT ENAMORED WITH ARIZONA WATER POLICY EITHER.

>> THERE'S A RECENT POLL THAT SHOWED WATER IS THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN OF ARIZONANS RIGHT NOW.

AND IT SHOULD BE.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST THE INSANE DECISION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AND THE STATE LAND DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW THE SAUDIS TO TAKE OUR WATER IN WESTERN ARIZONA.

WE GAVE IT AWAY FOR FREE TO THE SAUDIS TO GROW ALFALFA AND GIVE AWAY TO SAUDI ARABIA.

MOST ARIZONANS THINK THAT'S INSANE AND IT IS INSANE.

WE GOT TOO TWO WELLS CANCELED AND WE'RE WORKING ON OTHERS AND GETTING THAT UNDER CONTROL.

FRANKLY, ACROSS THE BOARD, DWR NEEDS TO DO BETTER, INCLUDING BY FOLLOWING THE LAW AND THE LAW REQUIRES THEM TO DO PERIODIC HYDROLOGICAL STUDIES OF OUR AQUIFERS.

THEY, TED, HAVE ONLY DONE TWO IN THE LAST 43 YEARS AND WE NEED THEM TO COULD DO THAT AND CREATE AMA'S OR INA'S.

>> Ted: WHERE DOES THAT INTERSECT WITH HEDGE FUNDS USING LAND AS PROJECT IN.

>> IT'S A SEPARATE THING WHERE THEY'VE BUYING UP LAND ALONG THE COLORADO RIVER AND TAKING WATER AND WATER RIGHTS ALONG THE COLORADO AND SELLING IT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN PHOENIX IN PLACES LIKE QUEEN CREEK WITHOUT DOING A CUMULATIVE IMPACT ON WHAT THAT'S GOING TO MEAN FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES ALONG THE COLORADO RIVER.

THAT HAS TO STOP, TOO.

WE CAN'T GIVE THAT WATER TO HEDGE FUNDS OR ALLOW THEM TO SELL IT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN PHOENIX.

>> Ted: IS ANY OF THAT, THOUGH, AGAINST THE LAW?

I ASK THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE THE STATE'S CHIEF ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

ARE YOU AND THE GOVERNOR ON THE SAME PAPER WITH THIS?

>> SHE SAID IN HER STATE OF THE STATE, SHE AGREED THE SAUDIS SHOULDN'T BE TAKING OUR WATER FOR FREE, BUT WE NEED TO SEE IT OUT OF HER DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AND I DO THINK THAT THE LAW IS BEING VIOLATED BY DWR IN THE SENSE THEY'RE NOT DOING THOSE PERIODIC STUDIES AND I THINK THEIR OWN POLICY IS BEING VIOLATED IN THE SENSE THAT THEY NEED TO LOOK AT THE AGGREGATE IMPACT OF THOSE.

>> Ted: IF THIS IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW, IF YOU KNOCK THE SAUDIS OUT OR YOU KNOCK A HEDGE FUND OUT, WILL OTHERS RUSH IN IN?

>> I THINK THIS VIOLATES OR CONSTITUTION.

I THINK WE HAVE A GIFT CLAUSE IN THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION THAT MAKES IT ILLEGAL FOR THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO GIVE ANYTHING OF VALUE AWAY FOR FREE.

WHAT COULD BE MORE VALUABLE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA THAN THE WATER UNDERNEATH OUR GROUND AND WE ARE LITERALLY GIVING THAT WATER AWAY TO THE SAUDIS AND TO, I'VE LEARNED RECENTLY, THE AMERADIS FOR FREE.

>> Ted: WHAT?

>> NOTHING IN RETURN FOR THAT WATER AND THE STATE IS LEASING THE LAND AT BELOW-MARKET RATES.

THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC DID AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIVE STUDY REVEALING ALL OF THIS.

AND SO EVERYWHERE I GO IN ARIZONA, THIS IS THE THING THAT FOLKS BRING UP WITH ME, IS WATER AND THE ISSUE OF PROTECTING OUR GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES.

>> Ted: BEFORE YOU GO, SOMETHING FOLKS MIGHT BRING UP IS TITLE 42.

IT'S OVER TOMORROW AND BORDER COUNTIES AND BOARDED SHERIFFS AREAS ARE RAMPING UP.

THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS IS EXPECTING A HURRICANE TYPE HYPERBOLE THERE.

>> THEY'RE SEEING THE EFFECTS OF THIS AND I'LL BE IN CONTACT WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEYS WHO ARE ALONG THE BORDER AND ARE SHERIFFS ALONG THE BORDER TO OFFER MY ASSISTANCE TO PROSECUTE HUMAN SMUGGLING, TRUE HUMAN SMUGGLING UNDER SEVERAL RECENT LAWS PASSED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BRING MORE RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE AND I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A REAL PLAN.

I'VE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ON THAT.

>> Ted: DOES THE STATE HAVE A REAL PLAN?

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR PUT FORWARD A DECENT PLAN AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AS I SAID, I'LL BE DOING WHAT I CAN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BUT ULTIMATELY, I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO A BETTER JOB AND WE NEED COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

>> Ted: ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS, TED.

>> Ted: UP NEXT, THE LATEST ON THE LEGISLATURE'S EFFORTS TO PASS A STATE BUDGET.

>> Ted: THE ARIZONA SENATE WORKED ALL NIGHT AND INTO THE PRE-DAWN HOURS TO PASS A BUDGET AND THAT WAS APPROVED IN THE HOUSE IN THE LAST HALF HOUR AND EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED BY GOVERNOR HOBBS.

THIS IS AN AGREEMENT THAT LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT.

WE WELCOME MARY JOP PITZL.

THE HOUSE SAID A-OK HERE AND TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS.

>> THE PROCESS HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO THE REASON THAT THEY GOT SUCH A LOPSIDED BIPARTISAN BUDGET.

THERE WAS A PLAN CRAFTED AND IT LOCKED IN SOME FRAMEWORKS THAT THEY STUCK TO AND THEY PUT IN PROVISIONS THAT WOULD MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU WERE GOING TO GET SOMETHING YOU WANT IN THE BUDGET, YOU HAVE BEEN OBLIGED TO VOTE FOR THE REST OF IT AND MANY DEMOCRATS FELT THEIR VOICES WEREN'T HEARD.

>> Ted: STACIE, WE HEARD ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT AND HOLDING WATER HERE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN LEADER AND WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> WE KNOW THAT THEY BOUGHT VOTES ON THE BUDGET BY GIVING LAWMAKERS A SLICE OF THE STATE SURPLUS, ABOUT TWO BILLION DOLLARS THAT THEY USED TO BUY VOTES TO, TO GET THIS BILL ACROSS THAT REPUBLICANS REALLY LOVED.

WE'VE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR, HER TOP LINES, WHAT SHE IS POINTING TO AS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE, 150 MILLION FOR THE HOUSING TRUST FUNDS, 300 MILLION FOR FOR K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION AND LIKE MARY JO MENTIONED, THERE'S A LOT OF FIGHTING AMONG DEMOCRATS WHETHER THIS IS GOOD FOR THEM IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES.

>> Ted: ARE THE THINGS STACIE MENTIONED THAT DEMOCRATS WOULD ORDINARILY APPROVE OFAWAY OF APPROVE OF, WOULD THIS NOT BE A LET'S GET THIS DONE THING?

>> PROBABLY NOT, AND IF THE DEMOCRATS HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT IN -- THEY'RE TAKING CREDIT FOR, YOU KNOW, AN ADVANCEMENT IN THE COVERAGE OF KID'S CARE FOR THE HOMELESS ISSUES AND THERE'S A NEW FUND FOR HOMELESS SERVICES SO THE DEMOCRATS ARE STRAINING TO SAY, LOOK, WE HAD AN EFFECT ON THIS BUDGET.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T LIKE THE PROCESS.

IT'S LIKE I HATE THE PROCESS AND I'M FINE WITH WHAT THE PROCESS DELIVERS.

>> Ted: STAY WITH, THAT ESA'S, NOTHING HAS CHANGED AND NO CAP OR NOTHING AND THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO ELIMINATE IT AND YET, NOT A SLICE HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF IT.

WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

>> IN JANUARY, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED REPEALING THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAM AND THE BUDGET WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK DOES ALMOST NOTHING ON ESA'S.

THERE'S REPORTING REQUIREMENTS THAT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND MOISTURE OF HOW MUCH IS NEW AND HER DECISION, I SUPPOSE, NOT TO PUSH HARDER ON THAT.

WE'VE SEEN PUSHBACK FROM ONE OF HER KEY CONSTITUENCIES, WHICH IS SAVE OUR SCHOOLS, ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT ADVOCATE GROUPS.

THEY HELD A CONFERENCE TO WHAT THEY CALLED AN ABYSMAL BUDGET.

>> Ted: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT HAPPY THAT ESA'S WERE NOT TOUCHED.

IS THIS WHAT THE GOVERNOR -- AND DID WHAT BEST SHE COULD BECAUSE REPUBLICANS SAID, YOU CAN'T TOUCH IT.

IT'S NON-TOUCHABLE.

>> THAT'S WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE AND ONE OF THE PEACH PEOPLE SHE NEGOTIATED WITH, A BEN TOMA, AND THIS WAS APPROVED LAST JUNE.

TO HAVE THE GUY COME IN THE ROOM AND EXPECT HIM TO WALK BACK WOULD BE A HARD ASK.

A LOT OF THE CRITICISM IS THAT, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR DID BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

DEMOCRATS AND HER SUPPORTERS ARE CRITICAL ABOUT WHY WASN'T THERE MORE OF A PUBLIC, AT LEAST ATTEMPT TO PUSH BACK.

WE HEARD NOTHING UNTIL THE BUDGET CAME OUT EARLY THIS WEEK AND THERE WAS NO CAPS, YOU KNOW, OF ANY FORM ON THE ESA PROGRAM.

THIS WOULD BE A HUGE BUBBLING ISSUE AND WILL THEY GET TO A RESOLUTION BEFORE THE BUDGET CRASHES?

>> Ted: WHAT, THE SENATE PULLS AN ALL-NIGHTER, WHEN YOU HAVE A DEADLINE AND IT'S OVER AND WHY NOW?

>> THEY HAD THE VOTES.

THAT'S THE RULE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

ONCE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR VOTES, YOU DON'T LET THEM GO AND LOCK THEM DOWN AND IT WAS A LONG NIGHT.

BUT THEY HAD THIS AGREEMENT.

I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF ARM TWISTING BY THE GOVERNOR AND MANY OF HER ALLIES ON THE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, EPSTEIN, COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PRESS SECRETARY, COMPLAINING ABOUT BICKERING POLITICIANS AND SHE TOOK OFFENSE THAT IT WAS PAINTED AS BICKERING.

>> Ted: HOW IS SHE TAKING THIS WITH OTHER DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS IN THE STATE?

>> WE HAVEN'T HEARD SINCE SHE PASSED THE BILL AND I EXPECT WE'LL HEAR MORE IN THE COMING DAYS AND YEAH, HER SPOKESPERSON SAID SAYS THESE ARIZONANS ARE TIRED OF BICKERING POLITICIANS AND THAT, OF COURSE, WAS RECEIVED ICILY BY DEMOCRATS WHO LEAD THE SENATE.

SO I GUESS WE'LL SEE.

ALTHOUGH, THIS HAS EXPOSED SOME PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF DEMOCRATS WORKING TOGETHER.

>> Ted: WELCOME TO LEADING A LITTLE BIT HERE.

AN AD HOC COMMITTEE WAS ANNOUNCED AND REPORTS END OF THE YEAR ON THE VOUCHER SYSTEM.

AND YOU GET A REPORT AND THAT'S NOT A CAP AND NOTHING HERE, BUT IT IS SOMETHING?

>> WELL, IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN POINT TO AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'VE DONE MORE ON THIS ISSUE THAT HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PIECES MISSING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S FIRST BUDGET.

>> Ted: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT COMMITTEE?

>> BECAUSE IT CAME FROM THE HOUSE SPEAKER, AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER IF THE HOUSE, SENATE DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

IT'S GOING TO GIVE SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE THEY WILL BRING TO THAT AND KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.

YOU'LL HAVE THE PEOPLE WHO HATE VOUCHERS STILL COMPLAINING AND THIS THING TO ALSO KEEP ATTENTION ON THE ESA ISSUE.

>> Ted: HOW SURPRISED ARE YOU THAT THEY WORK CLOSELY AND THIS PROCESS?

THIS DIDN'T USED TO BE LIKE THIS YEARS AGO?

>> USUALLY, THEY BRING IN THE APPROPRIATION'S CHAIR TO DO THIS AND I WAS TOLD AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, THEY KEPT IT JUST TO THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND DIDN'T LET THE DEMOCRATS IN UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> Ted: SURPRISED AT ALL THAT THIS WAS THE PROCESS?

>> IT'S INTERESTING WE CAME WHERE EVERYBODY WAS SAYING EVERYBODY ELSE'S BUDGET WAS DOA AND THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET WAS DOA AND HER PROPOSAL WAS DOA AND THIS IS PROGRESS, YOU KNOW.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, SHE GOT THE VOTES AND SHE GOT THE STRONG BIPARTISAN MAJORITIES AND I THINK SOME OF TOE THOSE DEMOCRATS VOTED YET.

>> Ted: THAT WAS THE START OF THE DAY AND YOU DID A GREAT JOB REPORTING ON THIS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS AND REPORTING ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Ted: AA $10,000 GRANT FROM THE CHARITIES AND DANICA MARLIN, THE SPECIALIST AT MESA CENTER.

WHAT IS MABLE?

>> IT'S A POP-UP ART'S SPACE AND ART CENTER ON WHEELS TO SHAPE AND SHIFT AND SHOW UP TO THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDING ARTS, RESOURCES AND FREE AND ACCESSIBLE ART'S PROGRAMMING.

MABLE HAS HAD A HUGE JOURNEY SINCE WHEELS ON THE GROUND SINCE 2020 AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT DO WITH HER AT THAT TIME.

SO SLOWLY BUT SURELY, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REALIZE OUR ORIGINAL VISION, WHICH WAS DICTATED AND GUIDED BY COMMUNITY ACTING SOMETHING HIKE LIKE MABLE TO SHOW UP.

WHEN WE HAD IN-PERSON MAKING SESSIONS, WE DID.

UNTIL THEN, WE HAD KITS TO GO.

NOW WE'RE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST AND THIS NEW FUNDING FROM THE THUNDERBIRD'S CHARITIES FROM THE GENEROUS OTHER SPONSORS, STATE FARM.

AND NOW, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE GOT A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT GRANT FOR GOING SPECIFICALLY TO UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS, AS WELL.

THOSE WILL HELP US TO HAVE A HUGE IMPACT AND TO SHOW UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Ted: IT SEEMS TO BE THE BOTTOM LINE, WHEN YOU GO INTO A COMMUNITY, IT'S TO SPARK CREATIVITY AND GET THE INTEREST IN THE ARTS.

IS THAT ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, I LIKE TO THINK IT'S MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.

CREATIVITY IS THE SKILL IN SOME CASES, AS WE AGE, IT IS TABOO.

IT CAN GIVE A CHILD A BOX OF CRAYONS AND THEY CAN GET CREATIVE ON THE SPOT.

SOMETIMES WHEN WE'RE ADULTS, FOR SOME REASON, THAT'S NOT FOR US ANYMORE AND THE ARTS HAVE BEEN EXCLUSIVE HISTORICALLY AND AN ECHO CHAMBER AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO OPEN THAT AND ALLOW FOR THESE SPACES AND THE ARTS TO BE A TOOL TO TRANSCEND BARRIERS AND TO LEVERAGE PERSPECTIVE SHARING AND ALLOW FOR INSIGHTS FROM ONE ANOTHER.

>> Ted: THAT'S MORE THAN CREATIVITY THAT YOU MENTIONED.

>> YEAH.

>> Ted: $10,000 GRANT FROM THUNDERBIRD AND HOW CAN THIS MONEY BE USED?

>> SO A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND SOME OF WHAT WE DO IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS OVER IN MESA IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES AND WE BUILD OUT PROGRAMMING TO BE ACCESSIBLE, BILINGUAL AND HOW CAN WE MAKE RESPONSIBLE PROGRAMMING AND THE WANTS AND NEEDS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND CONNECT RESOURCES WHERE POSSIBLE APPROXIMATELY.

>> Ted: WHAT REACTION HAVE YOU HAD SO FAR?

>> IT'S A BLAST GOING OUT AND MAKES MY JOB EASY, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TO ASK FOR MONEY AND GRANTS THAT FUND US.

WE SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE SITTING DOWN AT OUR TABLE AND MEETING A NEW FRIEND OR ANOTHER COMMUNITY MEMBER OR NEIGHBOR, EVEN, THREE HAVE NOT CONNECTED WITH BEFORE.

>> Ted: DO YOU PLAN ON GOING AND HOW DO PEOPLE KNOWING THAT THE MABLE IS COMING TO TOWN?

>> WE TRY TO SHARE OUR EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING ON OUR WEBSITE AT MESAARTSCENTER.COM/MABLE AND WE POST THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEXT DOOR TO ALLOW FOR THE NEWS TO BE HEARD, YEAH.

>> Ted: YOU GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN AND PEOPLE CAN BE CREATIVE AND SERVED AND THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.

DANICA MARLIN, HOST OF MABEL, THANK YOU.

I'M TED SIMONS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.