.

>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, WE'LL HEAR THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FOLLOWED BY AN ANALYSIS AND BA TO WHAT TO EXPECT.

THAT'S NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON EXPECTATION.

>> 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 THE SPECIAL ONE-HOUR EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS KICKED OFF HER ADDRESS AND HERE NOW IS THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> IT IS MY HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 56th LEGISLATURE.

HERE ON LAND THAT WILL ALWAYS BE CONNECTED TO OF TODAY'S MARICOPA INDIA COMMUNITY AND GILA INDIAN COMMUNITY.

WHAT A HERE IT HAS BEEN.

WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER, PUSHED ONE ANOTHER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES WHEN IT MATTERED MOST TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ARIZONA AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME.

NOW I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IT CERTAINLY HASN'T BEEN EASY.

BUT OUR CONSTITUENTS DIDN'T SEND US TO THE CAPITOL TO SOLVE EASY PROBLEM OR TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT.

THEY ARE RELYING ON US TO ENSURE ARIZONA'S ECONOMY WORKS FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES.

THAT WE ARE TAKING ACTION ON SECURING THE BORDER WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SO CLEARLY FAILED.

[APPLAUSE].

THAT WE HELP LOWER COSTS ON EVERY DAY ITEMS AND THAT OUR WATER IS SECURE, THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE AND PLACES OF OPPORTUNITY.

THAT HEALTHCARE IS ACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT AND WHEN THEY NEED IT.

AND THAT OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ARE PROTECTED.

[APPLAUSE].

AS A BORN AND RAISE PERSON IN ARIZONA AND A SISTER OF TWO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, THESE ARE THE REASONS I FEW ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA.

AS WE EMBARK ON THE NEW YEAR, ONE THAT WILL BE FILLED WITH HIGHS AND LOWS, TOUGH CHOICES AND COMPROMISE, IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE WE NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHY OUR FELLOW PEOPLE IN ARIZONA BESTOWED THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING THEM AND WHY WE WOULD ALWAYS STRIVE FOR PROGRESS AND FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.

WITH THAT, I'M PROUD TO SHARE THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE IN THE PAST YEAR ON MANY OF THE KEY ISSUES.

AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, I LOOK FORWARD TO OUTLINING THE WORK BEFORE US IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE DO AS ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE IN THIS CAPITOL IS ROOTED IN KEEPING ARIZONA FAMILIES SAFE.

THAT'S WHY WE CANNOT GO FORWARD WITHOUT FIRST ADDRESSING WASHINGTON'S ONGOING FAILURE TO SECURE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

A FAILURE DECADES IN THE MAKING UNDER BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION.

WHEN MY FELLOW PEOPLE IN ARIZONA GAVE ME THE HONOR OF THIS OFFICE, I PLEDGED TO NOT PLAY THE SAME OLD POLITICAL GAMES THAT CREATED THIS CRISIS AND TO HAVE CONTINUALLY HURT COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES IN OUR STATE.

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THE MISGUIDED EFFORTS BETTER THAN OUR SHERIFFS AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT NEAR THE BORDER WHO WORK EVERY DAY TO OFFER SOLUTIONS WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED.

ONE NEEDS TO LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE LUKEVILLE PORT OFEN OF ENTRY WHICH DID NOTHING TO SOLVE OUR IMMIGRATION CRISIS BUT DID HURT BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES.

MY ADMINISTRATION WORKED TIRELESSLY TO REVERSE THAT ACTION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TOOK EXTRAORDINARY STEPS INCLUDING SENDING THE NATIONAL GUARD TO THE BORDER TO BRING SECURITY AND COMMON SENSE TO THIS SITUATION.

[APPLAUSE].

DAY IN AND DAY OUT, I HEAR FROM LEADERS ON THE BORDER WHO NEED SUPPORT BECAUSE THEY ARE STEPPING UP WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN'T OR WON'T.

THIS YEAR, THEY ASKED FOR BOOTS ON THE GROUND, IMPROVED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, RESOURCES TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND LATEST TECHNOLOGIES TO KEEP COMMUNITIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER SAFE.

AND I DELIVERED.

BY REFUSING TO MAKE MONEY ON CHIEF, POLITICAL STUNTS, WE AWARDED $84 MILLION TO HELP THEM MANAGE THE INFLUX IN MIGRANTS.

[APPLAUSE].

>> SO WE MUST DO MORE.

THAT'S WHY I LAUNCHED "OPERATION SECURE" IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THIS SESSION, I'M SEEKING ONGOING FUNDING TO BETTER COORDINATE OUR BORDER RESPONSE AND CONTINUE FIGHTING THE HUMANITARIAN, ECONOMIC AND ENFORCEMENT CRISIS.

THIS NEW FUNDING WILL EXPAND THE OPERATION WITH CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN BORDER SECURITY AS WELL AS RESOURCES TO INTERCEPT THE FLOW OF FENTANYL.

EVERY PERSON IN ARIZONA SHOULD KNOW WE'RE TAKING SIGNIFICANT AND MEANINGFUL STEPS TO KEEP THEM SAFE EVEN WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THESE INVESTMENTS WILL STRENGTHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS, RAISE AWARENESS THROUGH AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AND EXPAND HARM REDUCTION AND TREATMENT SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS.

TOGETHER LET US CONTINUE TO FIND REAL SOLUTIONS, SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS ISSUE AND PUSH WASHINGTON TO DO ITS JOB TO SECURE OUR BORDER.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND JUST AS I WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, WE MUST ALSO FULFILL OUR FISCAL DUTY TO THE STATE.

WE FACE AN APPROXIMATELY $850 MILLION SHORTFALL BETWEEN THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THE NEXT.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS GAP WITHOUT HARMING PEOPLE IN ARIZONA.

TO ALL THOSE WHO CALL THIS STATE HOME, LET ME SHARE THIS MESSAGE.

WE WILL NOT SHIRK OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND WE WILL NOT KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THE NEXT GENERATION TO SOLVE.

AND WE WILL NOT CUT SPENDING ON VITAL SERVICES.

[APPLAUSE] >> TO THOSE IN THIS CHAMBER TODAY, THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA ARE COUNTING ON US AND WE WILL NOT LET THEM DOWN.

LET US FIND COMMON GROUND, FOCUS ON REAL SOLUTIONS AND STRENGTHEN OUR STATE'S BALANCE SHEET.

YOU WILL SEE THE DETAILS ON HOW I PLAN TO ADDRESS THIS GAP WHEN MY BUDGET IS RELEASED LATER THIS WEEK.

WE WILL REIGN IN WASTEFUL SPENDING WITHOUT SACRIFICING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE WILL ESTABLISH GUARDRAILS ON UNACCOUNTABLE PROGRAMS WITHOUT HURTING HARD-WORKING FAMILIES.

[APPLAUSE].

>> AND WE WILL TIGHTEN OUR COLLECTIVE BELTS TO INCREASE EFFICIENCYIES WITHOUT PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, SENIORS AND THOSE IN NEED.

[APPLAUSE] >> I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD TO GET THE JOB DONE.

DESPITE OUR BUDGET ISSUES, WE HAVE MUCH TO BE PROUD OF IN OUR AMAZING STATE.

NOWHERE IS IT MORE APPARENT THAT THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS ASCENDING THAN IN THE STRENGTH OF ARIZONA'S JOB MARKET AND THE RECORD INVESTMENT IN OUR ECONOMY.

LET US CELEBRATE THAT TODAY MORE ARIZONANS ARE EMPLOYED THAN AT ANY POINT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THIS MILESTONE IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR ENTREPRENEURS, OUR INFO INVESTIGATORS, TRADESPEOPLE AND OF SOME MANY WHO RECOGNIZE THE PROMISE OF ARIZONA.

>> JUST AS IMPRESSIVELY OUR STATE HAS ATTRACTED $32 BILLION IN FOREIGN INVESTMENT.

MORE THAN CALIFORNIA, TEXAS OR ANY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION.

THAT $32 BILLION MEANS JOBS, JOBS AND MORE JOBS FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN ARIZONA.

[APPLAUSE] WE QUESTION CREATED OVER 63,000 JOBS IN 2023 AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

ARIZONA LEADS THE WAY IN THE HIGH TECH AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES THAT ARE BUILDING OUR NATION'S FUTURE.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT THEY'VE ACHIEVEMENTS WERE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

WE SHOULD APPLAUD THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUPS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE COMMERCE AUTHORITY FOR THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS TO ATTRACT NEW, HIGH QUALITY JOBS.

JOBS THAT CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING FOR FAMILIES AND TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR COMMUNITIES.

WITH THIS CONTINUED SUCCESS, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

WE MUST PASS CONTINUATION OF THE ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY.

[APPLAUSE].

>> WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED AND NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO REST.

IT'S CRITICAL WE WORK TOGETHER JUST AS WE DID WHEN A BIPARTISAN COALITION OF HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS CAME TOGETHER TO PASS BOTH LAST YEAR'S BUDGET AND PUT A PROP 400 TENSION ON 400 ENGINES 400 EXTENSION ON THE BALLOT.

WE STOOD TOGETHER, HELPED TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF OUR STATE AND ENABLED MORE ARIZONA FAMILIES TO PROSPER.

THAT'S THE POWER OF FINDING COMMON GROUND AND DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, I WILL ALWAYS PUT THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA FIRST.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THAT'S WHY I'VE TAKEN ACTION TO ENSURE OUR STRENGTHING ECONOMY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANY PERSON IN ARIZONA WHO WANTS TO SUCCEED.

WITH OUR INVESTMENT IN THE WORKFORCE ACCELERATORS, WHOLE PREPARE THOUSANDS OF ARIZONANS FOR JOBS, BUILDING OUR NATION'S FUTURE IN INDUSTRIES LIKE SEMICONDUCTORS AND AERO.

SPACE.

WE WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR 21st CENTURY ECONOMY.

IT'S THESE PROGRAMS ALONG WITH A STRONG, HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND ACCESS TO CHILDCARE THAT WILL ENSURE MORE ARIZONANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET A GOOD JOB THAT SUPPORTS THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

[APPLAUSE].

>> AND WE WILL CONTINUE THE SUCCESS BY BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO AND TO SUPPLY HIGH SPEED INTERNET WITH THE NEARLY ONE BILLION DOLLARS ARIZONA WILL RECEIVE.

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IS CRUCIAL FOR BUSINESSES, HEALTHCARE, AND EDUCATION AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE RURAL AND TRAVEL COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING ECONOMY.

WE MUST BUILD FAST, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE BROADBAND ACCESS FOR EVERYONE IN ARIZONA NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE.

[APPLAUSE] >> OUR STATE'S ECONOMY IS STRONG AND THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ABUNDANT.

HOWEVER, WE CANNOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT FOR ARIZONANS ACROSS ALL AGE, COLOR AND GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES OR HOUSING CRISIS HAS BEEN TO TOO MANY.

I HAVE FELT THE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY OF NOT KNOWING HOW YOU'LL MAKE YOUR NEXT MORTGAGE PAYMENT.

THAT'S WHY I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT JUST AS HARD FOR YOUR FAMILY AS I FOUGHT FOR MINE.

AND I WILL NEVER TOP WORKING TO FINE SOLUTIONS TO THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

MENOPAUSE.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THIS PAST YEAR, I WORKED WITH MANY OF YOU HERE AT THE LEGISLATURE TO FIND NEW AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

WE DIRECTED $150 MILLION TO KEEP MORE ARIZONANS HOUSED THROUGH RENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAMS.

[APPLAUSE].

>> WE ALLOCATED MONEY TO PROVIDE LEGAL AID FOR UP TO ONE MILLION MORE ARIZONANS WHO ARE FACING EVICTION OR HOUSING INABILITY.

INSTABILITY AND WE MADE AN INVESTMENT TO MAKE HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES.

[APPLAUSE] >> FURTHER, WE ACCELERATED THE AWARDING OF LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS THAT ENABLED THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING TO MAXIMIZE THE BUILDING OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS PARTICULAR EFFORT LEAD DIRECTLY TO 15 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, HALF OF WHICH ARE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

[APPLAUSE].

>> AND THIS BUILT MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND HOUSING UNITS FOR WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES WHO NEED THEM.

[APPLAUSE] >> THESE ACT HUNDREDS SHOULD ONLYACTIONS WHO BE THEFIRST OF MANY 40 TO MAKE ARIZONANS ARE PROTECTED FOR THE TATE STATE THEY LOVE.

I WAS BORN IN ARIZONA WHERE A FAMILY COULD BUY A MILL MIDDLE HOME.

WE MUST TAKE ACTION.

THAT'S WHY TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING THE "ARIZONA IS HOME MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM."

[APPLAUSE] >> THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITH DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND MORTGAGE INTEREST RATE RELIEF.

THAT MEANS A FAMILY OF FOUR LIVING IN PHOENIX MAKING UP TO $75,000 A YEAR WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE A QUALITY, AFORKEDDABLE HOME.

[APPLAUSE].

>> WE WILL PROVIDE LESS WORKING HOME LOANS TO WORK BE-CLASS HOUSEHOLDS.

THESE ARE GOOD TANGIBLE STEPS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.

THEY ALONE WILL NOT SOLVE THE CRISIS ACROSS OUR STATE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ANY MEMBER OF THIS LEGISLATURE, TO FINE INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO HELP ARIZONANS TO ACCESS HOMES THEY AND LOVED ONES NEED TO THRIVE.

OF COURSE, TO DISCUSS ARIZONA'S FUTURE, WE MUST ALSO TALK ABOUT WATER.

HOW TO PROTECT WHAT WE HAVE TODAY, HOW TO NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND HOW TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES WHEN MOTHER NATURE OFFERS THEM.

THANKS TO THE CAREFUL PLANNING AND BEEHIVE OF GENERATIONS BEFORE US, ARIZONA IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF CONSERVATION AND INNOVATION.

HOUR STATE USES LESS WATER THAN IN THE MID1950'S, EVEN AS OUR POPULATION HAS BOOMED.

HOWEVER, JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST DOES NOT MEAN WE CAN RELAX ABOUT THE FUTURE.

WE CAN REJECT THE DOOM-SAYERS, BUT WE MUST ALWAYS HAVE OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR WATER RESOURCES.

NOT SHY AWAY BECAUSE THEY CAN BE DIFFICULT.

[APPLAUSE].

[APPLAUSE].

>> AS THE FIRST YEAR OF MY ADMINISTRATION HAS SHOWN, I WILL PROTECT ARIZONA'S WATER FUTURE.

BEFORE THIS CHAMBER LAST YEAR, I HIGHLIGHTED A CORPORATION PUMPING GROUNDWATER WITH ESSENTIALLY NO OVERSIGHT.

AFTER I SENT INVESTIGATORS AND FOUND THEY WERE IN VIOLATION OF THEIR LEASE, I ENDED IT.

[APPLAUSE].

>> AND AS OF NEXT MONTH, ALL BUTLER VALLEY LEASES HELD BY THIS ENTITY WILL BE TERMINATED, PROTECTING WATER FOR NEARBY COMMUNITIES.

[APPLAUSE] >> I WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH EVERYBODY, FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS, URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES, LOCAL AND REGIONAL ENTITIES TO FIND THE SOLUTIONS WE NEED TO ENSURE OUR WATER FUTURE IS SECURE FOR TOMORROW AND FOR GENERATIONS.

THERE IS NO BETTER EXAMPLE OF THIS THAN THE AGREEMENT I NEGOTIATED EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA, TO CONSERVE AT LEAST THREE MILLION ACRE FEED OF WATER, ENOUGH FOR NINE MILLION HOMES BY 2026.

[APPLAUSE] >> WITH THIS HISTORIC AGREEMENT, WE STOOD UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S EGREGIOUS PRINCIPAL PLAN TO SLASH ARIZONA'S WATER AND SLASHED RESOURCES.

BUT THIS IS ONLY A STARTING POINT.

WE HAVE NOT PUT THE DECADE'S DROUGHT IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR.

WE MUST INCREASE CONSERVATION, AND STRENGTHEN THE PROTECTIONS WHERE NEEDED.

[APPLAUSE] >> THE BIPARTISAN WATER POLICY COUNCIL I CREATED LAST YEAR COMPROMISED OF WATER LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCE HAS EMBODIED THE SPIRIT WITH THE SERIES OF COMMON SENSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SECURE OUR WATER FUTURE.

FOR DECADES, RURAL ARIZONANS WHO HAVE BEGGED, DEMANDED AND FOUGHT TO PROTECT THEIR GROUNDWATER HAVE BEEN IGNORED.

NOW AFTER 40 YEARS OF WAITING, IT'S TIME WE FINALLY TAKE ACTION AND UPDATE OR GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT LAWS.

[APPLAUSE] >> THAT'S WHY WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO TAKE ACTION WHERE OTHERS HAVEN'T AND EMPOWER RURAL ARIZONANS TO HAVE A SAY IN HOW THEIR WATER IS USED.

AND FOR TOO LONG, WE HAVE ALLOWED DEVELOPMENT THAT SKIRTED OUR SMART AND COMMON SENSE CONSUMER PROTECTS FOR WATER AVAILABILITY.

WE MUST CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES THAT ALLOW BILL-TO-RENTS AND WILDCAT DEVELOPMENTS.

[APPLAUSE] >> OUR WATER RULES GIVE FAMILIES CONFIDENCE TO INVEST IN OUR STATE AND WE CANNOT LET INDIVIDUALS EXPLOIT THESE AND ROB US OF OUR WATER FUTURE.

WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT OUR STATE IS GROWING AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO ADAPT WHILE MAINTAINING OUR LONG HEALTH STATUS AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN WATER MANAGEMENT.

OUR WATER STANDARDS ARE THE KEY TO OUR STRONG ECONOMY.

I LEE REFUSE TO SACRIFICE THEM.

I WILL CONTINUE TO GROW OUR ECONOMY WHILE PROTECTING THE STATE'S MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE.

I HAVE DIRECTED THE ARIZONA OF DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES TO FINALIZE A NEW PATHWAY FOR WATER PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY RELIED ON GROUNDWATER RESOURCES.

THIS NEW DESIGNATION OF WATER RESOURCE'S PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE ENTITIES TO ACHIEVE A 100-YEAR ASSURED WATER SUPPLY BY CONTRIBUTING NEW WATER SOURCES AND REDUCING GROUNDWATER PUMPING WHICH WILL HELP ENSURE THE FUTURE GROWTH IS BOTH SMART AND SUSTAINABLE.

[APPLAUSE] >> LET US REMEMBER THAT WATER AND DROUGHT DO NOT CARE ABOUT PARTY REGISTRATION OR JOB TITLES OR WHETHER YOU LIVE IN IN A RURAL OR URBAN COMMUNITY.

WE CAN ONLY PROTECT OUR WATER SUPPLY BY WORKING TOGETHER.

I STAND BY YOU TO PROTECT LEGISLATION THAT MAKES THE CHANGES WE NEED TODAY TO SAFEGUARD ARIZONA'S WATER FOR TOMORROW.

AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SPENT YEARS REFUSING TO ACT, IF YOU DON'T, I WILL.

[APPLAUSE].

>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ARIZONA AND I CHOSE TO RAISE MY FAMILY HERE.

MY KIDS ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I AM A SISTER OF TWO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS.

I KNOW WHAT HAVING A HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION CAN MEAN TO MILLIONS OF ARIZONANS.

BUT SADLY, WE TOO OFTEN FALL SHORT.

WE MUST CONTINUE INVESTING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ENSURE ARIZONA TRULY IS THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

SO I APPLAUD THE BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS WHO DID THE RIGHT THING TO PASS AN OVERRIDE TO THE AGGREGATE EXPENDITURE LIMIT PROVIDING CERTAINLY THAT SCHOOLS WOULD STAY OPEN AND KIDS WOULD CONTINUE LEARNING.

[APPLAUSE].

>> AND I STAND READY TO WORK WITH LEGISLATORS TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION GOING FORWARD.

[APPLAUSE].

>> IN ADDITION TO THE AEL OVERRIDE, WE ALSO WORKED TOGETHER TO FIND BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO FURTHER SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS INCLUDING A $300 MILLION INFUSION FOR K12 SCHOOLS.

[APPLAUSE].

>> LET BUILD ON THAT SUCCESS AND SEND AN EVEN STRONGER PROP IS MAURICE 123TO THE VOTERS, ONE THAT PROVIDE PUBLIC CERTAINTY!

POOPS POOPS.

>> WITHOUT QUESTION, WE MUST GIVE TEACHERS A RAISE.

[APPLAUSE].

>> BUT WE MUST HEAR THE ARIZONANS ASKING US TO DO MORE.

LET'S TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR TEACHERS AND THE SUPPORT STAFF WHO ARE ALL CRITICAL FOR STUDENT'S SUCCESS.

[APPLAUSE] >> LET'S TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO INVEST IN SCHOOL SAFETY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH YOU TO MOVE THESE SOLUTIONS FORWARD.

BY WORKING TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN PROP 123, WE WILL PROVE TO ARIZONA PARENTS AND STUDENTS THAT WE'RE BUILDING THE FUTURE THAT WE DESERVE AND WE MUST NOT LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS US BY.

[APPLAUSE] >> THIS IS UPCOMING SESSION, WE MUST ADDRESS THE LONG-TEM HEALTH OF OUR K12 SCHOOLS WHICH MEANS WE MUST ADDRESS THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN ARIZONA'S ESA PROGRAM.

[APPLAUSE].

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> WE HAVE SEEN A STEADY STREAM OF NEWS COVERAGE AROUND UNACCEPTABLE AND SOMETIMES DOWNRIGHT OUTRAGEOUS USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY UNDER THIS PROGRAM INCLUDING WATER PARK ADD MERCKS,ADMISSION AND LUXURY CAR DRIVING.

IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS STEWARDS OF THIS STATE TO PUT IN PLACE GUARD KANSAS CITY RAILSRAILS THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE USED PROPERLY.

[APPLAUSE] >> WITHOUT THESE GUARDRAILS, WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE TAKE ROOT AND THRIVE.

THAT'S WHY WE MUST TAKE ACTION TO BRING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA PARENTS AND ALL TAXPAYERS.

WE CAN DELIVER COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS LIKE ENDING THE LUXURY SPENDING, KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE BY REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EDUCATORS AND EXPANDING THE AUTHORITY OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL.

ADDITIONALLY, LET'S REQUIRE RECIPIENTS TO HAVE ATTENDED A PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR 100 DAYS, A REASONABLE STANDARD THAT WOULD SAVE OUR STATES A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS.

[APPLAUSE] >> MY MESSAGE TO PARENTS ACROSS ARIZONA, WHETHER YOU'RE FAMILY TAKES PART IN THIS PROGRAM OR NOT, NOW IS THE TIME TO ADVOCATE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, NOT A BLANK CHECK.

[APPLAUSE] >> IF WE FAIL TO DO SO, THE CURRENT PROJECTED PRICE TAG OF ONE BALANCE DOLLARS IS ONLY THE START.

TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION, OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES CONTINUE TO LEAD THE BAY WAY IN INNOVATION HELPING MORE ARIZONA FAMILIES ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

THIS CAN BE SEEN IN OUR HEALTHY A-Z HEALTHY TOMORROW INITIATIVE PRODUCING MORE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS EVERY YEAR.

WORKING TOGETHER, WE WILL CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF DOCTORS, NURSES, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHILE OFFERING COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR STATE BADLY NEEDED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

WE ARE EARLY IN THIS JOURNEY, BUT WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUT STATE UNIVERSITIES FOR THEIR STE ACTORSTEADFAST EFFORTS TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW.

I'M CALLING ON THIS LEGISLATURE TO WORK WITH ME TO BE BEGIN A NEW ENGINEERING FOCUS MEDICAL SCHOOL AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.

TO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF ARIZONA MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND TO START A NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL FOCUSED ON RURAL AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY.

[APPLAUSE] >> AS SOMEONE WHO HAD TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE AND WHO WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT THE HELP OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID, ENSURING THAT HIGHER EDUCATION IS ATTAINABLE FOR ANY PERSON IN ARIZONA WHO WANTS IT IS PERSONAL TO ME.

WE HAVE A DUTY TO MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE IN THIS AREA THROUGH SECURING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN TRIBAL COLLEGES, AS WELL ARIZONA NEW FUNDING IN RURAL ARIZONA.

HOWEVER, WE MUST ALSO RECOGNIZE MANY OF OUR ACTIONS HAVE BEEN ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS.

WE MUST SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY AS OUR BUDGET OUTLOOK IMPROVES TO STRENGTH SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW- >> Nicholas: LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDING OTHER THAN COLLEGE CREDITS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER INITIATIVES THAT OFFER STUDENTS THE CHANCE AT A BETTER FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION.

[APPLAUSE] >> SUPPORTING ARIZONA FAMILIES ALSO MEANS PROTECTING OUR LOVED ONES THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME ON THIS EARTH.

NO DOUBT, THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL FACILITIES PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY CARE FOR OUR FELLOW ARIZONANS.

HOWEVER, I AM SADDENED AND INFURIATED THAT TOO MANY LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE FAILING SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE WITH DEVASTATING EFFECTS.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE, NEGLECT, EXPLOITATION AND POOR QUALITY OF CARE HAVE SEVERELY HURT AND IN SOME TRAGIC CASES, IT'S LEAD TO THE DEATH OF TOO MANY ARIZONANS.

WHAT'S THE PENALTY IN THESE CASES, A $500 FINE.

THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND AS LEADERS IN THIS STATE, WE SHOULD BE OUTRAGED.

WE SHOULD ALSO BE OUTRAGE SILVER LIVING HOME SCANDAL THAT RUINED COUNTLESS LIVES AND COST TAXPAYERS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I'M PROUD WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION TO CRACK DOWN ON THIS FRAUD AND I COMMEND ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES FOR INVESTIGATING THOSE WHO ARE EXPLOITING SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THESE SCANDALS WILL BE HELL HEAD ACCOUNTABLE.

WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE IN NEED.

THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO STRENGTH LIVING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED PENALTIES FOR BAD ACTORS.

[APPLAUSE] >> I'M PUTTING SURE A PACKET THAT WILL INCREASE FINES AND IT WILL STANDARDIZE INSPECTIONS AND IT WILL EMPOWER ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO SEEK EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDERS AND ESTABLISH STANDARDIZED CREDENTIALS FOR ALZHEIMER'S, DEMENTIA AND MEMORY CARE.

[APPLAUSE] >> PROTECTING ARIZONANS IN LONG-TERM CARE SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

LET WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION AND SEEK SOLUTIONS SO WE CAN ENSURE EVERY RESIDENT CAN LIVE IN SAFETY FREE FROM NEGLECT AND ABUSE.

[APPLAUSE] >> SUPPORTING ARIZONA FAMILIES ALSO MEANS ENSURING OUR CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

UNFORTUNATELY, FEDERAL EFFORTS THAT RAISE SO MANY KIDS OUT OF THE POVERTY A FEW YEARS AGO ARE PHASING OUT.

BUT THE NEEDS AND RISING COSTS FOR PARENTS ARE JUST AS TOUGH AS EVER.

NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO GO BANKRUPT TO CARE FOR A SICK CHILD.

TO COMBAT THIS DISTURBING TREND, WE EXPANDED KID'S CARE FOR THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS OF ARIZONA CHILDREN.

[APPLAUSE].

>> ENABLING THEM TO RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED, WHETHER IT'S ROUTINE CHECKUPS OR LIFE-SAVING PROCEDURES WITHOUT FORCING THEIR PARENTS INTO MOUNTAINS OF DEBT OR HEARTBREAKING GO-FUND-ME CAMPAIGNS.

LET'S CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO LOWER THE COST OF DOCTOR VISITS, MEDICAL EXAMS AND OTHER QUALITY-OF-LIFE MEASURES TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR ARIZONA FAMILIES TODAY.

[APPLAUSE] >> ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE RELIEF AND MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ARIZONA FAMILIES AND SENIORS IS BY DRIVING DOWN THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

>> THAT'S WHY I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO SUPPORT MY FOURTHCOMING PROPOSAL THAT STOPS PRICE GOUGING MIDDLE MEN FROM OVERCHARGING FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

[APPLAUSE] >> REQUIRES JUSTIFICATIONS FOR PRICE INCREASES TO ARIZONANS AREN'T HIT WITH SURPRISE COSTS AND ESTABLISHES THE NEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY DIVISION WHICH WILL CAP PRICES ON COMMONLY USED DRUGS LIKE INSULIN AND PREVENT OUTRAGEOUS PRICE HIKES.

[APPLAUSE].

[APPLAUSE] >> THESE MEASURES WILL HELP EVERYONE AND ENSURE NO ONE WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING FOR RENT OR LIFE-SAYING MEDICATION.

[APPLAUSE] >> I BELIEVE THAT FIGHTING FOR ARIZONA FAMILIES IS THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE DO AS ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT FIGHTING FOR ARIZONA FAMILIES MEANS DEFENDING EVERY INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE DECISION.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> I SPEAK FOR MILLIONS OF ARIZONANS WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE.

THESE DEEPLY PERSONAL DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

NOT POLITICIANS AND THE GOVERNMENT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> I WILL ALWAYS DEFEND ARIZONANS' FREEDOMS AND I REFUSE TO BACK DOWN IN THE FACE OF THOSE WHO WANT TO CRIMINALIZE DOCTORS AND OUTLAW ABORTION.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THAT'S NOT HAPPENING ON MY WATCH.

[APPLAUSE].

>> INSTEAD, THERE ARE COMMON SENSE BILLS WE CAN PASS RIGHT NOW THAT WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

ARIZONANS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM AGREE THAT WE SHOULD REPEAL THE 1864 ABORTION BAN ONCE AND FOR ALL.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THAT WE SHOULD PASS THE RIGHT TO CONTRA-SEPPION ACT AND WE SHOULD STOP GOVERNMENT OVERREACH THAT INVADES PRIVACY BY PUBLISHING DATA ON EVERY ABORTION IN ARIZONA.

[APPLAUSE] >> AS I WILL SAY AGAIN AND AGAIN AGAIN, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IS FREEDOM IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

WE DESERVE TO HAVE OUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS PROTECTED AND WE DESERVE TO MAKE THE PERSONAL DECISIONS WE DEEM BEST FOR OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES.

[APPLAUSE] >> NOW IS THE TIME TO DO WHAT'S RIGHTS.

NOW IS THE TIME TO PASS THESE CRITICAL POLICIES AND NOW IS THE TIME WE STAND UP FOR ARIZONA FAMILIES.

[APPLAUSE] >> I HAVE USED THIS TIME TODAY TO HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW OF OUR SUCCESSES FROM THE PAST YEAR.

THE INCREDIBLE STRENGTHS OF OUR STATE AND THIS ST OFEADFAST RESOLVE OF OUR PEOPLE AND WE HAVE STARTED A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT STAND BEFORE US.

AS WE GO FORWARD INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LET US ALWAYS REMEMBER WHY WE ARE HERE AND WHAT BINDS US TOGETHER AS ARIZONANS.

WE ARE BOUND BY OUR LOVE FOR THIS STATE, FROM THE BEAUTIFUL FOREST AND MOUNTAINS TO THE BREATHTAKING VISTAS AND STUNNING NATIONAL BEAUTY.

AND WE ARE BOUND BY OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE EVERY PERSON WHO CALLS IN PLACE HOME HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED TODAY AS WELL AS GENERATIONS WHO FOLLOW US.

MY PROMISE TO YOU IS THAT I WILL NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHY WE ARE HERE.

AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT WHAT BIOPSIESBINDS US TOGETHER GIVES US THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGE.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR FELLOW ARIZONANS AND MAKING THIS THE INTEGRATE GREATEST STATE IN OUR NATION.

GOD BLESS ARIZONA AND LET'S GET TO WORK!

[APPLAUSE].

>> Ted: JOINING US NOW FOR ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE NEW SESSION, WE WELCOME CHUCK COUGHLIN FOR HIGHGROUND AND KARL GENTLES.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU BOTH.

KARL, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HERE AND THOUGHTS ON THE SPEECH, THE TONE AND TENOR?

>> I THOUGHT HER SPEECH WAS STRONG, CONFIDENT AND, YOU KNOW, IT ACTUALLY CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE SHE'S A VERY QUIET SPOKEN PERSON AND SHE CAME OUT WITH A BIG STICK AND SAID, LOOK, I HAVE SEVERAL PARTIES AND WE'RE GOING AFTER THEM.

SHE LAID IT DOWN EARLY AND SHE LAID THOSE OUT AS WE WEPT WENT ALONG.

SHE STRUCK A HIGH STRONG BIPARTISAN TONE.

AND SHE ALSO, IN FACT, ON THE BORDER, WENT AFTER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND WAS VERY STRONG ON THAT, WHICH I WAS SURPRISED BY.

BUT VERY WELL NEEDED.

>> Ted: CHUCK, BEFORE THE SPEECH, WE SAW THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND SPEAKER THE HOUSE GIVING A REBUTTAL TO A SPEECH THAT HADN'T BEEN MADE YET.

THAT SEEMS UNUSUAL.

>> TED, WE HEARD ABOUT THE PREAMBLE TO THE STATE OF THE STATE'S SPEECH THAT THE SPEAKER MAKES.

I GOT CALLED OF THAT TODAY.

NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE AND I WAS LAUGHING.

IT'S THE AGE OF POLITICS WE'RE IN.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT -- I THINK IT WAS LIVECAST ON YTR AND THEY TOOK THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEIR TWO CENTS INTO THIS.

>> Ted: WHAT DID THIS SAY ABOUT THE UPCOMING SESSION IN.

>> IT'S DEAD ON ARRIVAL, RIGHT.

WE TALK ABOUT ESA'S AND THE EDUCATION PLAN AND THEY CLEARLY SAID THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU PUT FORWARD, EVEN IF THE SPIRIT OF BIPARTISAN, WHICH, IN FACT, SHE'S ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW GIVEN IN ON THE UNIVERSAL VOUCHER ISSUE.

THEY'RE SAYING IT'S ALREADY DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

>> THAT'S PART OF A TACTIC, TOO, RIGHT.

WHATEVER SHE SAY IN A ONE-VOTE MAJORITY CHAMBER WILL BE DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE REPUBLICANS SOME ROOM TO ADJUST TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO BE HER IDEA AT THE END OF THE DAY.

IT'S ONE OF THEIR IDEAS THAT THEY MORPH INTO SOMETHING THAT'S ACCEPTABLE.

>> SHE'S COME A LONG WAY THAT SHE'S WILLING DO SOMETHING TO WORK WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

THAT DIDN'T SET THE RIGHT TONE OF BIPARTISAN SHE WAS LOOKING FOR.

>> Ted: WERE YOU BEGAN ON BORDER ISSUES IN LUKEVILLE IN.

>> I WAS.

I MEAN, THAT'S CLEARLY A BIG ISSUE HERE IN ARIZONA.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT CHUCK AND I KNOW VERY WELL, GOING A LONG WAY BACK ON IMMIGRATION REFORM ISSUES THAT ARE WELL OVERDUE.

BUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION AND CLEARLY SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD DO SOMETHING AND SHE DID AND SHE DID SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE DUCEY ADMINISTRATION OF YEARS PAST, WHERE THEY PUT UP THE CONTAINERS TO MAKE A BIG POINT.

I MEAN, SHE ACTUALLY HAS PROPOSED REAL STRONG ACTION.

>> TOOK THE AIR OUT OF THE BALLOON.

EVERYONE KNEW THAT IN THIS IS THE MAJOR COMPLAINT AGAINST THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN ARIZONA RIGHT NOW.

SO WHY NOT TAKE THE STING.

TAKE THE SHOT, PULL THE AIR OUT OF THE BALLOON AND DEFLATE IT.

I'M ONE OF YOU AND THIS IS OUR PROBLEM.

>> SHE OUTFLANKED THE REPUBLICANS ON THAT AND WENT FURTHER RIGHT THAN ANY OF THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.

THIS WAS A STRONG POLITICAL MOVE.

TED I >> Ted: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET NEXT AND THE GOVERNOR MAKING IT A POINT SHE WOULD NOT KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> WE WILL NOT SHIRK OR RESPONSIBILITIES AND WE WILL NOT KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THE NEXT GENERATION TO SOLVE.

AND WE WILL NOT CUT SPENDING ON VITAL SERVICES.

[APPLAUSE] >> Ted: THE BUDGET.

>> YEAH.

>> Ted: 400 MILLION PLUS DEFICIT HERE AND DOES THAT ODDLY ENOUGH MAKE THE EASIER TO DEAL WITH.

>> I THINK SO.

THE ODDITY OF THE LAST SESSION WITH $2 BILLION AND THE SPENDING SPREE THEY WENT ON, SO SHE'S GOING TO CAMP OUT AS SHE DID AND WE WON'T DO UNNECESSARY CUTS.

WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE, EDUCATION, AND PROTECTING PEOPLE, PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND WE'LL FIGURE OUT A WAY.

AND I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO DO THAT.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE SOME TIME IN THE MAKING DOWN THERE IN TERMS OF WHO WILL GET GOURED.

BUT IT WAS AN INTELLIGENT WAY FOR HER TO HANDLE THE DEBATE.

>> Ted: SEEING IT ROUGH AND TUMBLE OR A SMOOTHER SAILING?

>> IT WILL BE ROUGHER TUMBLE NO MATTER WHAT, BUT MAYBE SMOOTH SAILING BECAUSE NOT AS MUCH MONEY TO DIVI UP.

LAST YEAR, THEY DIVID UP $2 MILLION AND EVERYBODY GOT CASH TO SPEND AROUND.

SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISABLE TO HOLD ON TO SOME OF THE MONEY SO WE DON'T HAVE AN $875 MILLION DEFICIT FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL, TWO FISCAL YEARS.

>> Ted: DOES THAT ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE SPILL INTO HER HOUSING CONCERNS OR THE FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND THOSE THINGS?

ARIZONA IS HOME MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT PROGRAM SHE WANTS TO START AND IS THERE ROOM TO BREATHE ON THESE ISSUES?

>> I THINK SO.

I MEAN, IT'S A BIG BUDGET AND A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THERE AND SHE KNOWS THAT.

THIS IS OPENING DAY AND, YOU KNOW, TOOT THE ARIZONA HORN, WHICH SHE DID A GOOD JOB OF TALKING ABOUT THE AUTHORITY AND JOB CREATION AND NEVER HAD ANY MORE JOBS IN ARIZONA THAN TODAY AND MORE EMPLOYED PEOPLE THAN TODAY.

SHE DID A GOOD JOB OF CLAIMING CREDIT, PRAISED THE COMMERCE AUTHORITY.

SO THERE WAS ALL GOOD THINGS THERE.

AND I WAS SURPRISED SHE WENT INTO MORE DETAILS ON THE PROGRAMS.

SHE SPENT AN INORDINANT AMOUNT OF TIME ON MEDICAL EDUCATION AND ON PROTECTING THE ELDERLY AND INCREASING PENALTIES AND CHILD HEALTHCARE.

SO I WAS A PIT SURPRISED SHE DWELLED ON THAT.

IT'S NOT ONE OF THE ISSUES, WHERE, O, THAT'S THE OH, THAT'S THE TOP OF MIND FOR ANYBODY.

>> Ted: QUICKLY, SHE CAME OUT AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT WATER AS AN ISSUE AND SHE'LL DO SOMETHING IF OTHERS DON'T.

>> I STAND READY TO WORK WITH YOU AND PASS LEGISLATION THAT MAKES THE CHANGES WE NEED TODAY ALL TO SAFEGUARD'S ARIZONA WATER FOR TOMORROW.

TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SPEND YEARS REFUSING TO ACT, IF YOU DON'T, I WILL.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> Ted: THAT'S TOUGH STUFF FROM GOVERNOR HOBBS.

>> THAT'S THAT BIG STICK I WAS TALKING ABOUT AND SHE'S LAYING DOWN, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHE WANTS TO SEE HAPPEN ON WATER.

AND WATER IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

IT SHOULD NOT HAVE AS MUCH, YOU KNOW, ANGST ACROSS THE AISLE AS IT DOES NOW.

FOR INSTANCE, WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENED THAT HAPPENED ACROSS THE STATE OF ARIZONA, RIGHT?

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS ONE-HUNDRED YEAR WATER SUPPLY CAN BE ENSURED FOR THE YEARS TO COME.

>> SO SELF-DECLARED INTEREST HERE.

WE'VE DONE THIS FOUR YEARS IN A ROW.

WE'VE TRIED TO DEVELOP A GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR 80% OF ARIZONA THAT HAS NONE.

AND GAIL GRIFFIN BEEN THE, THE CHAIRMAN, HAS DEFEATED PIT.

DEFEATDEFEATED IT.HER WATER POLICY EMBRACED AN GRADE, AND WHAT SHE'S SAYING, IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME ANOTHER TOOL, I'LL USE TOOLS AT MY DISPOSAL, THINGS THAT ARE HEAVY-HANDED APPROACH TO MANAGING THE ISSUES WHEN OTHER TOOLS COULD BE DEVELOPED THAT WOULD BE BETTER FOR LOCALS.

>> Ted: IS THAT THE MCTHAT MESSAGE THAT GETS THROUGH IN.

>> I?

>> I THINK SO.

HER APPROACH IS SAYING, LOOK, IT HAS TO BE DONE NOW AND MY JOB IS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND WE'LL GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> Ted: SHE SAVED ABORTION AND ABORTION RIGHTS, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR LAST THIS WAS INTERESTING AND SHE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY.

>> I WILL ALWAYS DEFEND ARIZONANS' FREEDOMS AND I REFUSE TO BACK DOWN IN THE FACE OF THOSE WHO WANT TO CRIMINALIZE DOCTORS AND OUTLAW ABORTION.

[APPLAUSE] >> THAT WOULD HAPPEN ON MY WATCH.

>> Ted: WILL THE LEGISLATURE TRY?

ARE WE STILL IN A POSITION, GO AHEAD VETO, WE DON'T CARE?

>> THE FIRST ISSUE ON THE DECK IS THE SUPREME COURT'S REVIEW OF THE PRE-STATEHOOD LAW.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

I DON'T THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL DO ANYTHING ON THIS.

I THINK THE NEXT THING THAT THE VOTERS AND WHAT SHE'S TELEGRAPHING IS THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR ISSUE AND ON THE BALLOT FOR ARIZONANS TO PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN ARIZONA AND SHE IS NOT BACKING DOWN FROM THAT FIGHT AND WILL GUARANTEE THAT THOSE ARE SEEN THROUGH TO THE END.

>> Ted: THAT IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE, KARL, AND THAT'S IS HUGE!

>> IT'S A WINNING ISSUE IF YOU'RE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND YOU'RE PRO RIGHT.

,, PROABORTION AND IT WILL DRIVE DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT.

I THINK IT WAS SMART CONVERSATION TO HAVE RIGHT NOW AT THE END OF HER SPEECH, TO TELEGRAPH THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE'VE GOT AN ISSUE ON THE BALLOT AND THAT'S A WINNING ISSUE.

>> Ted: IF YOU WOULD HAVE CRAFTED THAT SPEECH, WOULD YOU HAVE SAVED ABORTION FOR LAST?

>> I WOULD HAVE TEAMED UP THE SAME WAY SHE DID AND HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK.

I WOULD SAY, THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

>> Ted: THE PREAMBLE AND LATER AND THE SPEAK AND PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE TOMORROW.

WILL THEY HAVE TIME FOR THAT BUSINESS?

>> Mr. T MORK TOMA HAS TO GET OUT AND REPUBLICANS HAVE EXERCISED THEIR POLITICAL MUSCLES TO SOME EXTENT.

SOME WILL STILL GO ON.

THEY'LL HAVE TO GET TO WORK ON THE EAS IN TERMS OF OVERSIGHT AND HAVE TO GET TO WORK ON A BUDGET ISSUE EVE WATER ISSUE AND WATER STUFF.

IF THEY WORK SERIOUSLY NOW INSTEAD OF A MONTH AND A HALF TO CENSURE STUFF, THERE'S A SHOT THREE COULD GET DONE SOMETIME IN APRIL OR MAY.

>> Ted: INTERESTING!

IS THAT SENSE OF SERIOUSNESS THERE?

DOES IT FEEL MORE CALM THAN IT DID LAST YEAR?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE AS MANY VETOES CLEARLY.

ANN THOUGH IT'S.LIKE CHUCK SAID, EVERYBODY IS UP FOR ELECTION AND THEY WANT TO GET OUT AND GET THROUGH THINGS QUICKLY.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD FAST ON SOME OF HER TOP PRIVATEERTOPPRIORITIES.

HOUSING IS A BIG ISSUE TO MAKE SURE THAT GETS THROUGH AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS SHE PROPOSED.

REMEMBER, SHE'S LOOKING AT THIS STATE GOVERNMENT, HOW TO RUN THIS THROUGH THE LENSE OF BEING, YOU KNOW, A SOCIAL WORKER.

AND SO A LOT OF THOSE THINGS ARE COMING FORWARD IN HER TRAINING AND BACKGROUND.

SHE WANTS TO PUT THINGS FORWARD TO HELP ARIZONANS.

>> Ted: THE FIRST DATE IS OVER AND NOW A RELATIONSHIP IS GOING HERE AND A LITTLE SOOTHE SMOOTH?

>> YOU'LL HEAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS, SAYING THAT'S MORE GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY AND HER PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GO THROUGH THAT.

THERE WILL BE AN EXERCISE OF A LOT OF THE TYPES OF RHETORIC THAT GOES ON.

I'VE HEARD THE SPEAKER DEFEND THAT THE OTHER DAY ON KTAR.

IT WAS A STRUGGLE, BUT HE'LL HOLD ON TO THE BAT.

THAT'S A HARD ISSUE FOR THEM TO DIGEST, BUT MAYBE THAT AS PART OF THE BUDGET, THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF COMPROMISE, BUT THE RESULT OF A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING AND THEN, A DISTILLING DOWN TO IDEAS THAT CAN BE DONE.

>> Ted: CHUCK COUGHLIN AND KARL GENTLES, THANK YOU BOTH AND WE WILL HAVE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TOMORROW TO RESPOND TO STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

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

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING!