>> COMING UP NEXT, ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOVERNOR-ELECT.

KATIE HOBBS, JOINS US IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THE PLANS AS THE STATE'S NEXT CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

>>> AND ALSO TONIGHT, THE YMCA'S YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAM CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF STUDENTS IN GOVERNMENT.

NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> GOOD ENGLAND, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON, I'M TED SIMONS.

SECRETARY OF STATE, KATIE HOBBS GAME GOVERNOR-ELECT KATIE HOBBS AFTER NARROWLY DEFEATING KARI LAKE IN LAST YEAR MONTH'S ELECTION.

WE WELCOME GOVERNOR-ELECT KATIE HOBBS TO ARIZONA HORIZON AND GOOD TO HAVE YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT YOU WON?

>> WE MADE THIS RACE ABOUT SANITY VERSUS CHAOS AND FOCUSED ON WHAT ARIZONA VOTERS SAID THEY WANTED SOLUTIONS TO.

WE SPENT OUR CAMPAIGN DOLLARS WISELY ON TELEVISION ADVERTISING, AND WE MADE SURE THAT WE WERE GETTING OUT EVERY SINGLE LAST VOTE >> THE SANITY/CHAOS DYNAMIC THERE, DO YOU THINK THIS PART YOU WON, AND IN PERHAPS GREATER PART, YOUR OPPONENT LOST?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD SAY ABOUT THESE RACES NOT JUST ARIZONA BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT THE REPUBLICANS WERE FOCUSED ON A LOSING MESSAGE.

AND DEMOCRATS WERE FOCUSED ON WHAT OUR VOTERS WANTED US TO DO.

TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN WE GOT TO OFFICE >> Anchor: AND SOME REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS WERE APPARENTLY ATTRACTED TO THAT MESSAGE >> THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE DISENCHANTED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S GRIP ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND THEIR FOCUS ON THE PAST AND NOT MOVING FORWARD, AND THEY SPOKE, I THINK LOUD AND CLEAR THIS THEY WANT A LEADER WHO IS GOING TO MOVE US FORWARD >> A COUPLE OF THINGS IN THE RACE, THERE WERE CRITICISMS THAT YOU WERE TOO CAUTIOUS AND DEBATE AND DIDN'T APPEAR AS MUCH AS YOUR OPPONENT DID.

AND DIDN'T MAKE THE SAME HEADLINES AS YOUR OPPONENT.

AND FOR THOSE WHO THOUGHT YOU WERE TOO CAUTIOUS, WERE YOU?

I WOULD SAY THAT THE STRATEGY THAT WE NEEDED TO WIN AND THAT'S THE STRATEGY THAT WE STUCK TO, SO EVEN WHEN ALL OF THAT NOISE WAS GOING ON, AND IT WAS HARD TO SOMETIMES STAY FOCUSED, WE DID AND I THINK THAT WE DID THE RIGHT THING >> DO YOU THINK THAT THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAUTION DURING THE CAMPAIGN, SOME WERE WORRIED THAT ONCE YOU GET ON THE 9th FLOOR, YOU CAN'T BE SO CONSCIENCE, YOU HAVE TO MOVE AND CHARGE AHEAD IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, AND HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> I HONESTLY HAVEN'T HEARD THOSE CONCERNS, I THINK MOST FOLKS SAID WOW, YOU WERE RIGHT AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE A GREAT GOVERNOR >> ONE OF THE ACTIONS, CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO GET RID OF THE ABORTION BAN AND IS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE PROMISE THAT'S I MADE AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ARIZONANS TO GET RID OF THE CHAOS THAT WILL COME IF THAT LAW GOES INTO EFFECT AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S CERTAINTY >> SO CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION MEANS WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATOR, AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO WORK WITH A REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE?

>> I HAVE MEETINGS ON MY CALENDAR TO WORK WITH THE LEADERSHIP AND I'M LOOKING FOR WAYS TO WORK FOR COMMON GROUND AND AREAS THAT ARIZONANS WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD ON.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE CRITICAL CHALLENGE THAT'S WE'RE FACING, OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THE EXPENDITURE AS PART OF THAT, ADDRESSING OUR WATER CRISIS, AND MOVING FURTHER THAN WHAT THEY DID IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND MAKING ARIZONA MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THE LEGISLATOR -- YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, AND YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS, AND THE DYNAMICS INVOLVED AND WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO SAY TO THEM?

>> I WILL SAY WHAT I SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, THAT I'M FOCUSED ON BEING A GOVERNOR FOR ALL ARIZONANS AND I BELIEVE IF WE CAN PUT OUR PARTISAN DIFFERENCES ASIDE, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON, AND THAT'S A WIN FOR ALL ARIZONANS.

I THINK THAT ARIZONANS SENT A STRONG MESSAGE THIS ELECTION THAT THEY WANT LEADERS WHO ARE GOING TO GET THINGS DONE, AND NOT JUST CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND PARTISAN AGENDAS >> YOU MENTIONED AS WELL THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF DEFUNDING THE BODDER STRIKE TASK FORCE.

WHERE ARE YOU ON THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS HAS COME UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE FUNDING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT WAS PART OF A BUDGET THAT I DIDN'T VOTE FOR, BUT HOWEVER, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT HOW THE TASK FORCE IS BEING USED.

IF IT'S ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE IN WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, AND IF IT IS, THEN I THINK YOU KNOW, LEAVE IT THERE.

BUT IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO UTILIZE THOSE RESOURCES, WE SHOULD LOOK AT HOW TO DO THAT.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM THOR TASK FORCE?

>> I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LOOK ANOTHER HOW WE CAN COOPERATE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON BORDER SECURITY ISSUES, AND I HAVE SOME MEETINGS COMING UP WITH HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND I WANT TO LOOK AND REALLY SEE WHAT KIND OF COOPERATION THERE IS, AND HOW WE CAN WORK WITH, RATHER THAN KIND OF GO OUR OWN WAY AND DO OUR OWN THING.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF ARIZONA RESOURCES >> SPEAKING OF GOING YOUR OWN WAY, THE IDEA OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS A WALL, WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, BUT I SAID FROM DAY ONE, I THINK IT'S A POLITICAL STUNT THAT'S NOT REALLY SOLVING A PROBLEM.

THERE ARE MANY PICTURES OF PEOPLE CLIMBING OVER THE CONTAINERS, SO THEY'RE NOT EFFECTIVE AS A BARRIER, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE PLACED THERE ILLEGALLY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE EMBROILED IN SOME SORT OF LEGAL BATTLE THERE, AND NOW THERE'S AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUIT AS WELL.

WHICH IS WHY SOME OF THE AREAS OF BORDER WERE LEFT UNWALLED IN THE FIRST PLACE, SO WE NEED TO TAKE ALL OF THOSE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO REMOVE THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND WHAT THE BEST SOLUTION IS GOING TO BE, BUT I THINK I CERTAINLY WON'T SPEND RESOURCES ON POLITICAL STUNTS >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, IF THE LAWSUITS GO AWAY, THE CONTAINERS GO AWAY.

SO THE CONTAINERS ARE LIKELY TO GO AWAY?

>> I'M LOOKING AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS >> AS FAR AS THE BORDER IS CONCERNED, TOP PRIORITY FOR ARIZONA, TOP PRIORITY, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THAT'S ALWAYS THE TOP PRIORITY.

WE HAVE TITLE 42 COMING UP AGAIN AS AN ISSUE, A RULING TODAY FROM THE COURT.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS THE STATE'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO A FEDERAL ISSUE LIKE ABORTION -- I'M SORRY, IMMIGRATION?

>> IT'S A FEDERAL ISSUE AND THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO REMEMBER, BUT I WILL NOT STOP FIGHTING FOR ARIZONANS AND WHAT OUR NEEDS AND CONCERNS ARE, AND I HAVE MEETINGS SET UP WITH, AS I SAID, OFFICIALS FROM HOMELAND SECURITY TO TALK ABOUT BORDER SECURITY AND WHAT WE CAN DO, AND HOW TO PARTNER TO KEEP ARIZONANS SAFE AND ADDRESS THE CRISIS THAT WE HAVE AT OUR BORDER >> SHOULD THE BORDER STRIKE TASK FORCE BE ALTERED IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY?

SHOULD THE CONTAINERS BE REMOVED AS MER YOUR REQUEST, SOME REPUBLICANS ARE ALREADY SAYING THAT YOU'RE DELIBERATELY SETTING UP SHOWDOWNS AND ALL THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS PUT STUFF UP AND YOU'RE GOING TO VETO AND SEND IT BACK.

DO YOU HAVE A POINT?

>> I THINK IT'S UNFAIR FOR THEM TO SAY THAT BEFORE WE EVEN START.

I AM WILLING TO PUT THE PARTISANSHIP ASIDE AND I THINK THAT I MADE THAT VERY CLEAR ON THE CAMPAIGN AND I CAMPAIGNED THAT WAY.

WE HAVE REAL ISSUES TO FOCUS ON, AND I'M INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH ANYONE WHO WILL HELP GET THOSE THINGS DONE >> BUT AGAIN, AT THE CAPITOL, YOU CAN USE THE VETO AS LEVERAGE.

>> AND I ABSOLUTELY INTEND TO AS NEEDED >> LET'S TALK ABOUT INFLATION CONCERNS AND PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY.

INFLATION IS EASY, BUT THE PRICE OF THINGS, STILL MUCH HIGHER THAN THEY WERE THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> YEAH.

>> AGAIN, WHAT CAN YOU DO AS GOVERNOR TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE?

>> YOU AND I TALKED BEFORE ABOUT MY AFFORDABLE ARIZONA PLAN, AND IT'S NOT JUST A PLAN THAT'S GOING TO GO AWAY BECAUSE THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER.

IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT I INTEND TO ACT ON AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, PUT FORWARD A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS SOME OF THOSE PRIORITIES, TAX BREAKS ON EVERY DAY ITEMS THAT WILL HELP WORKING ARIZONANS AND A TAX CREDIT THAT WILL PUT MONEY BACK INTO THEIR POCKETS.

>> RENTAL TAX, THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING GET RID OF THE RENTAL TAX.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> IT'S SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.

BUT IT WAS A CORE PART OF MY FORMER OPPONENT'S PLAN AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD REALLY CRIPPLE CITIES IN TERMS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, AND NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT RELIEF FOR THOSE RENTERS >> SAME THING WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPLETE BAN OF THE FOOD TAX?

PARTS OF ARIZONA AND NOT ALL OF ARIZONA.

REPUBLICANS AGAIN, THEY WANT TO SEE -- ARE THOSE THE KINDS OF ISSUES THAT YOU CAN WORK ON WITH THOSE ACROSS THE AISLE?

>> CERTAINLY, I MEAN I'M NOT GOING TO SAY NO TO ANYTHING.

IF THERE'S A WAY TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR ARIZONANS, THAT DOESN'T CRIPPLE A CITY'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICES, THEN WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE THEM ON THE TABLE.

>> OUT GOING GOVERNOR DUCEY, HE HAS EMPHASIZED GROWTH AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR HIM.

AND THE STATE HAS SEEN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH.

ARE WE GROWING TOO MUCH?

DO WE NEED TO EASE UP?

DO WE NEED TO RETHINK?

HOW DO YOU TAKE ON THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEARCH AND BALANCE THAT GROWTH WITH THE ECONOMIC NEEDS, THE ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS OF OUR STATE AND WE TALK ABOUT WATER AND THAT'S A HUGE COMPONENT ABOUT GROAT.

WE HAVE TO BE DOING IT SMARTLY AND HAVE SOLUTIONS IMPLEMENTED TO ADDRESS THE WATER CRISIS THAT WE'RE FACING.

BUT ABSOLUTELY, WE NEED TO CONTINUE GROWTH IN A WAY THAT ENSURES THAT ALL ARIZONANS CAN THRIVE AND THAT WE HAVE JOBS TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT MAKES THEM WANT TO STAY HERE >> TAX INCENTIVES?

DO YOU LIKE THAT IDEA IN ATTRACTING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY?

>> WE HAVE TAX INCENTIVES ON THE TABLE AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT MAKE ARIZONAN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS, THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE PACKAGE, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT ENSURES THAT WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL AND GET THOSE FOLKS HERE >> THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT SAY WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH AND OTHERS THAT SAY WE'RE DOING TOO MUCH.

AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE STILL FORMULATING?

>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE A GOOD THING GOING, AND THE ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY HAS DONE A LOT TO ATTRACT BUSINESS, AND PART OF THAT IS TAX INCENTIVES.

AND WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT'S NOT WORKING AND HOW WE CAN DO BETTER >> SOMETHING THAT'S NOT DOING ALL THAT WELL, THE HOUSING SITUATION IN ARIZONA.

AGAIN FROM THE 9th FLOOR, WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

>> WE NEED THE STATE TO BE A BETTER PARTNER WITH OUR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS SO THEY CAN PROVIDE -- I MEAN, THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING.

THERE ARE LIKE 277 SOME THOUSAND UNIT SHORTAGE IN HOUSING AND WE CAN'T GO FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THAT DEMAND.

AND EVERY DAY THAT DEMAND GOES UP BECAUSE WE'RE GROWING.

OUR POPULATION IS GROWING, AND SO ITS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM UNTIL WE CAN GET A HANDLE ON THE INVENTORY.

AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO DO THAT, AND ARE LOOK AT INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT WE CAN GET THINGS ONLINE FASTER >> SHOULD THE REGULATION PROCESS BE STREAMLINED?

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF LOCAL CONTROL, SO I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO COME IN AND GET RID OF ALL OF THESE REGULATIONS.

WE NEED TO WORK WITH LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL >> BUT YOU'VE ALSO CALLED FOR LOCAL ZONING CHANGES, AND LEGAL AID TO FACE EVICTION AND THESE SORTS OF THINGS, AND THOSE ARE USUALLY ADDRESSED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND SHOULD THE STATE START GETTING INVOLVED THERE?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO EVICTION PREVENTION, THE STATE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY THERE.

>> BUT THE HOUSING SITUATION IN GENERAL, ARE WE JUST MOVING THE GOALPOSTS AROUND?

IS IT DIFFICULT TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS?

>> I MEAN THE LEGISLATURE PUT TOGETHER THE INVENTORY, AND THAT'S A GOOD PLACE TO START AND IT'S ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PRODUCT BUT WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THAT AND HOW DO WE TAKE THAT TO THE NEW SOLUTION?

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE FOLKS AROUND THE TABLE TO COME UP WITH WHAT ARE THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR THE STATE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES?

>> YOU REFERRED TO THIS EARLIER REGARDING EDUCATION, AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TEACHERS OF SCHOOLS, STAFF, SHORTAGES ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT'S NOT GOING AWAY, IT'S PERVASIVE.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AND WHAT CAN YOU WORK WITH THE REPUBLICAN LED LEGISLATURE ON TO FIX THAT PROBLEM OR AT LEAST GET A HANDLE ON IT?

>> WELL, OUR PLAN CALLS FOR INCREASING TEACHER SALARIES TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, WHICH WOULD BE AN AVERAGE OF $14,000 A YEAR INCREASE FOR TEACHERS RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S A START.

A LOT OF TEACHERS ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF PAY, BUT THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY'RE TEACHING UNDER, A LOT OF TIMES BANNING BOOKS THAN KEEPING TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM AND YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON ALL OF THE THINGS THAT GO INTO THEIR DECISION TO TEACH AND HOW WE INCENTIVIZE THEM TO STAY AND PAY IS PART OF THAT.

THE AGGREGATE EXPENDITURE IS THE MOST PRESSING EDUCATION ISSUE NOW, AND IF WE DON'T FACE THAT, SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE HAVING TO CLOSE THE END OF SCHOOL YEAR EARLY OR LAYOFF TEACHERS, AND SO WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IF WE DON'T GET RID OF THAT.

TO SPEND IT NOW.

>> Anchor: IT SOUNDS LIKE GOVERNOR DUCEY RIGHT NOW WANTS THINGS ADDINGED ONTO THE SPECIAL SESSION, IF HE CALLS FOR ONE, WHICH MAY NOT HAPPEN UNTIL YOU BECOME GOVERNOR.

AND WILL THAT LIKELY BE SUSPENDED, LIFTED, REMOVED MORE UNDER THE DUCEY ADMINISTRATION AND THIS LEGISLATURE OR YOUR ADMINISTRATION IN THE NEXT GO AROUND?

>> I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS PROMISE TO THE FOLKS THAT HE NEGOTIATED THE BUDGET WITH, THAT HE WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO SUSPEND 1245 LIMIT AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S PUTTING CONDITIONS ON THAT AND WANTS MORE AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE.

IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN NOW, IT'S GOING TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR MY ADMINISTRATION TO GET THEM EARLY ON.

SO WE'RE NOT PUTTING SCHOOLS TO THE DEADLINE LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS HE WANTS IS INCREASED VOUCHER FUNDING AND I'M ASSUMING THAT'S A NO-GO AS FAR AS YOU'RE CONCERNED >> I CAN TELL THAT YOU WANT VOUCHER WE HAVE SET UP IS GOING TO BUST OUR BUDGET.

WE CAN'T AFFORD IT ANYMORE >> ANOTHER THING HE WANTS TO SEE IS ELECTION REFORM AND HE WANTS MAIL-IN BALLOTS IN THE TAB LATE-DAY OF ELECTION.

SOME ELECTION PEOPLE AREN'T TOO HOT ON THAT.

AND YOU KNOW YOUR ELECTIONS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT IDEA?

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN JUST GO IN AND SAY HERE'S THE ANSWER.

WE NEED TO THINK THROUGH ALL OF THE RAMIFICATIONS, AND ELECTIONS ARE COMPLICATED.

THERE'S NEVER AN EASY ANSWER.

AND PART OF THE ISSUE WITH MAIL-IN BALLOTS, IF THEY CAN VERIFY IDENTITY OF THE VOTER AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S WHAT THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION IS FOR, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ELIMINATING IN THE TABULATOR ON ELECTION DAY, AT THE POLLING PLACE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK THROUGH EVERYTHING, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION -- OR THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SOLUTION IS IN SEARCH OF >> I WAS GOING TO SAY A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

FOR THOSE WHO STILL CLAIM THERE WERE ELECTION IRREGULARITIES, AND YOU MIGHT SEE A LAWSUIT FROM YOUR OPPONENT, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE STATE WHO DON'T TRUST THE SYSTEM.

DON'T TRUST YOUR ELECTION AND DON'T TRUST A LOT OF THINGS AND WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM?

HOW DO YOU CONVINCE THEM THAT THERE WAS NO FUNNY BUSINESS?

>> LOOK.

THESE PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO THE WRONG LEADERS.

IF THEY IF THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW WE KEEP OUR ELECTIONS SECURE, HOW WE UPHOLD INTEGRITY AND MAKE SURE THAT THE VOTES ARE FAIR, THEY NEED TO LOOK AT INFORMATION PUT OUT BY ELECTION OFFICIALS, NOT THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE A BONE TO PICK AND HAVE CONTINUED TO SPEW THESE CONSPIRACY THEORIES FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THE FACT IS THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS IN MARICOPA COUNTY ON ELECTION DAY, BUT NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS PREVENTED A SINGLE PERSON FROM CASTING A BALLOT.

THE PEOPLE WHO LEFT WERE DISENFRANCHISED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE PEOPLE WHO SAID DON'T PUT YOUR BALLOT IN A SECURE BOX, LEAVE AFTER YOU CHECK IN.

THEY WERE LISTENING TO THE WRONG PEOPLE AND NOT TO ELECTION OFFICIALS AT THE POLLING PLACES AND THEY'RE THE ONES WHO CREATED ALL OF THIS CHAOS.

THE FACT IS SOMETIMES THINGS GO WRONG AND WE HAVE BACKUP PLANS AND REDUNDANCIES SO EVERYONE PERSON HAS A CHANCE TO CAST A BALLOT.

>> THE LAST THING, YOU WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE PULL PIT AND BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THESE PEOPLE.

AND AGAIN, HOW DO YOU CONVINCE EVERYTHING IS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT HERE, YOUR PLAN, YOUR BUDGET.

WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT YOUR LUNCH ET, YOUR PLANS AND INAUGURAL SPEECH, EVERYTHING, WE WILL KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE AS FAR AS YOUR IDEA.

IS THERE A WAY TO CONVINCE THOSE WHO ARE STILL NOT CONVINCED OR IS THAT JUST A LOSING PROPOSITION?

>> I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING, IT'S A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT AND I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO TOP FOCUS ON THE PROMISES I MADE ON THE CAMPAIGN AND WORKING TO SOLVE THESE ISSUES AND MOVE ARIZONA FORWARD AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME ALONG IS WELCOME.

I AM GOING TO BE A GOVERNOR FOR ALL ARIZONANS, WHETHER THEY VOTED FOR ME OR NOT AND READY TO GET TO WORK >> GOVERNOR-ELECT.

KATIE HOBBS.

THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, THE YMCA'S YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAM CELEBRATES IT'S 75th ANNIVERSARY.

>> THE YMCA'S YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAM CELEBRATING 75 YEARS EMPOWERING STUDENTS BY GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

AND JOINING US, COOPER AND RODRIGUEZ, OF THE YMCA GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, AND YOU GOT TO MEET THE GOVERNOR AND EVERYTHING, AND IT'S A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ENTIRE PROGRAM.

THIS IS FASCINATING STUFF AND IT HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

>> IT HAS, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY.

BUT THIS IS REALLY A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

AT THE YMCA.

WE'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT CULTIVATING THE LEADERSHIP IN THE OPPORTUNITIES, AND THIS DOES DID THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

STARTING IN AUGUST, WE TAKE ON A MODEL ROLE THROUGH A SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE, AND THEY WORK ALL SUMMERTIMER LONG AT THE CAPITOL.

>> I FIND IT FASCINATING, THE STUDENTS DEBATE BILLS, AND YOU SPEND THREE DAYS AT THE CHAMBER AS WELL?

>> YES, ALL THREE DAYS AT THE CAPITOL.

AND HE HAS AUTHORED AMAZING BILLS AND BEEN PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AS FAR AS THE BILLS THAT YOU INTRODUCED, WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL?

WERE YOU LOOKING FOR A CERTAIN ASPECT OF A POLICY OR DID THINGS POP INTO YOUR HEAD?

WHAT DID YOU EXPERIENCE?

>> FOR ME, IT WAS FINDING ISSUES THAT WERE CLOSEST TO ME AND THAT WAY I COULD HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON THEM, AND SOMETHING THAT I COULD SEE RATHER THAN TRYING TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT IS.

>> INTERESTING, AND WHEN DID YOU INTRODUCE YOUR BILLS?

WHICH ONE DID YOU HAVE?

>> MIME WAS DEFUNDING PRIVATELY RAN PUBLICLY FUNDED PRISONS.

>> THERE YOU GO, OKAY.

WHEN YOU INTRODUCED THAT DID PEOPLE PUSH BACK?

>> YES.

>> HOW DID YOU TAKE THAT?

>> FOR ME, IT WAS MOSTLY, I HAD A GOAL, AND I HAD A WAY TO GET TO THAT GOAL.

AND THE MAIN REASON THAT I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THAT GOAL WAS JUST TO BETTER ARIZONA.

AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT MAINLY PUSHED ME TO WRITE THIS BILL AND DEFINITELY, I UNDERSTAND THE PERSPECTIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO DID NOT FAVOR MY BILL, BUT I REALLY WANTED TO PUSH THE PERSPECTIVE OF BETTERING ARIZONA FOR TOMORROW.

>> THAT'S A BIG DEAL, ISN'T IT, JENNA, UNDERSTANDING THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH YOU BUT YOU CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS BRIDGING THAT DIVIDE.

THE DISCOURSES ARE A HEALTHY THING.

AMERICANS HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS UNDER EVERY SUBJECT UNDER THE SUN, AND AT THE Y, WE HAVE A LOT OF AMAZING VOLUNTEERS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF FROM THE LOCAL SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING TO HELP STUDENTS NOT ONLY CLARIFY WHAT THEIR IDEAS ARE, AND THE VALUES AND HOW TO BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.

BUT HOW TO ASK AMAZING QUESTIONS, AND HOW TO FIND THAT COMMON GROUND SO YOU CAN PASS LEGISLATION FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

>> AND I KNOW THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT WERE LAWMAKERS AND PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA, WHICH I FOUND HOW DID YOU HANDLE THAT MEDIA CROWD?

>> IT WAS VERY INTERESTING, ESPECIALLY RUNNING FOR A POSITION THIS YEAR, IT WAS INTERESTING GETTING INTERVIEWED AND SEEING THE PROCESS OF THE INTERVIEWS AND ESPECIALLY HAVING FRIENDS IN THE MEDIA, I GOT TO SEE A LOT OF PERSPECTIVES THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE.

>> YOU HAD TO BE PREPARED FOR THE QUESTIONS, AND DID THEY MAKE YOU THINK A LITTLE BIT AND KIND OF THROW YOU A LITTLE BIT?

>> YES, THE QUESTIONS OF WHY I WAS RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE WAS ONE THAT I THOUGHT ABOUT, AND I HAD THE ANSWER IN MY HEAD, BUT IT WAS HARD TO CONVEY THAT IN A SHORT ANSWER THAT WAS SUITABLE FOR THE INTERVIEW.

>> YEAH, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD GOTTEN IT FIGURED OUT IF YOU KNOW THAT MUCH.

HOW MANY BIDS, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE -- TO THE BILLS THAT PASS?

YOU HAND THEM OFF TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

>> THE HUGE VOICE DOES BUBBLE UP TO THE LAWMAKERS TODAY.

WE HAD 115 BILLS INTRODUCED FROM STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE AND 20 OF THEM MADE IT THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS AND THEY BATTLED AMENDMENTS AND MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE STUDENT GOVERNOR'S DESK AND THE STUDENT GOVERNOR SIGNS 20 INTO LAW.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS, OTTO, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT, THIRD YEAR MANY >> HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS EXPERIENCE?

>> I PLAN ON USING THIS EXPERIENCE BY GOING TO POLITICAL SCIENCE WHEN I GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> FROM THERE, LAWYER, DO YOU WANT TO BE A LAWMAKER?

>> A LAWMAKER IS SOMETHING VERY HIGH ON MY LIST, ESPECIALLY SEEING THE PROCESS OF HOW THE LAWS, HOW THESE BILLS ARE THOUGHT ABOUT, AND HOW THEY'RE MADE AND PRESENTED, AND THE STEPS THAT THEY GO THROUGH.

>> I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT HERE, AND IT HAS TO BE REWARDING TO HEAR THAT KIND OF STUFF.

>> I HAVE A MOTTO WHEN HE WAS IN 7th GRADE, AND IT'S REWARDING TO SEE THE YOUTH COME UP THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND TO HEAR THAT HE WANTS TO BE A POLITICAL LEADER IS AMAZING AND ULTIMATELY, THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO CREATE CITIZENS, CREATE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO VOTE AND GET ENGAGED IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS AND PARTICIPATING >> CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PROGRAM AND GETTING THE BILL PASSED AND EVERYTHING, AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

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

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.