♪.

TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," THE IMPACT OF MEDICAID BUDGET CUTS ON ARIZONA HOSPITALS.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, THE TALLEST SKYSCRAPER IN THE STATE IS COMING TO DOWNTOWN PHOENIX.

>>> AND A BEST SELLING PHOENIX AUTHOR IS OUT WITH A NEW LITERARY ROM-COM.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE DRAGON BRAVO WILDFIRE AT THE NORTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON HAS BURNED 8600 ACRES AND COUNTING.

MORE THAN 70 STRUCTURES DESTROYED INCLUDING THE HISTORIC GRAND CANYON LODGE.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS DEFENDING DECISION TO INITIALLY IMAGINE THE FIRE AS A CONTROLLED BURN, SAYING THAT THE AGENCY'S RESPONSE WAS, QUOTE, EXPERTLY HANDLED AND THAT HIGH WINDS AND OTHER SUDDEN WEATHER CHANGES CAUSED THE UNEXPECTED SPREAD OF THE FIRE.

THE AGENCY SELF-ASSESSMENT FOLLOWS SENATORS MARK KELLY AND RUBEN GALLEGO ALONG WITH GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS CALLING FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION.

>>> ANOTHER FIRE, THE WHITE SAGE FIRE IS BURNING 30 MILES NORTH OF THE GRAND CANYON.

THIS FIRE LIKE THE DRAGON BRAVO FIRE 0% CONTAINED.

>>> ELECTION DAY IN ARIZONA'S 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AS VOTERS VOTE WHO WILL SUCCEED DEMOCRATIC SENATOR RAUL GRIJALVA.

THE FRONT-RUNNERS ARE ADELITA GRIJALVA, FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL HERNANDEZ, STAKED OUT A MORE CENTRIST POSITION, AND 25-YEAR-OLD DEJA FOXX, A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER WHO IS FOCUSED ON ATTRACTING YOUNGER VOTERS.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ARE DANIEL BUTIEREZ, SENIOR, JORGE RIVAS AND JIMMY RODRIGUEZ.

>>> OTHER HEADLINES, INFLATION IS UP, CONSUMER INDEX ROSE 2.4% FROM LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

THE FASTEST PACE SINCE FEBRUARY AND HIGHER THAN ECONOMISTS EXPECTED.

WHILE IT SHOWS THE EARLY IMPACT OF U.S. TARIFFS, TODAY'S REPORT DOES SHOW INCREASES OF PRODUCTS MOST IMPACTED BY TARIFFS.

THAT SAID, THE PHOENIX METRO AREA INFLATION HERE WAS 0.2%, BY FAR THE LOWEST OF ANY MAJOR URBAN AREA IN THE COUNTRY.

LOWER GAS PRICES AND HOUSING COSTS ARE THE REASON FOR THE RATES AMID REPORTS THAT THE ARIZONA JOB MARKET COOLED SO MUCH SO THAT THE STATE IS AMONG THE WEAKEST IN THE U.S. FOR JOB GROWTH.

>>> TODAY'S OVERALL INFLATION REPORT SUGGESTS THAT THE FED WILL NOT LOWER INTEREST RATES LATER THIS MONTH, WHICH WILL NO DOUBT GET THE ATTENTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHO HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE FED CHAIR, JEROME POWELL, YESTERDAY.

>> WE HAVE A BAD FED CHAIRMAN, REALLY BAD.

IF HE WOULD LOWER THE RATES, IF HE WOULD LOWER THE RATES.

I TRIED BEING NICE TO THE GUY, IT DOESN'T HELP.

HE'S LIKE A KNUCKLEHEAD.

[LAUGHTER] >> HE'S LIKE A KNUCKLEHEAD.

STUPID GUY.

HE REALLY IS.

TED: THE PRESIDENT SPEAKING THERE AT A FAITH BASED EVENT YESTERDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>>> FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS TO MEDICAID ARE CREATING CONCERNS AT HOSPITALS IN ARIZONA MIGHT BE FORCED TO CLOSE OR OTHERWISE DELAY CARE FOR MORE THAN TWO MILLION ARIZONANS THAT RELY ON MEDICAID.

JOINING US IS BRITTNEY KAUFMANN, CEO OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

TED: THE CUTS AND THE RECONCILIATION BUDGET, GIVE ME YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS.

>> HR1, THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL, WAS PASSED AND SIGNED JULY 4, AND IT HAS DRASTIC CUTS TO MEDICAID, FROM FEDERAL FUNDING LEVEL, WHICH HAS DIRECT STATE BUDGET IMPACTS AND IMPACTS TO MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES IN ARIZONA AS WELL AS THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE.

SO THE CURRENT ASSESSMENT IS HEALTH CARE LEADERS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS IN THE BILL, WHAT DOES IT MEAN, WHAT WILL THE IMPACTS BE, WILL THINGS CHANGE?

WE KNOW THERE'S A STORM COMING.

WE'RE IN THE STORM, JUST NOT SURE HOW BAD IT'S GOING TO BE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CARE TO ARIZONANS.

TED: WHAT DO YOU KNOW SPECIFICALLY THAT WILL, FOR SURE, IMPACT HOSPITALS IN ARIZONA?

>> SHOULD ALL OF THESE PROVISIONS GO INTO AND EFFECT WE HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL, WE KNOW FOR SURE THERE ARE GOING TO BE STRICTER REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY, REALLY A LOT MORE RED TAPE AND BUREAUCRACY ADDED TO THE PROCESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO REMAIN ON MEDICAID.

ALSO WHAT WE KNOW AS PART OF THE BILL IS REDUCTION IN PROVIDER TAXES.

THOSE ARE CRITICAL FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN PARTICULAR, LIKE MANY OTHER STATES, USE IN ORDER TO DRAW DOWN THE MEDICAID FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PAY PROVIDERS FOR THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE TO MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES.

WE KNOW THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOTS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PROVIDERS AND THE STATE WILL HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT ASSESSMENTS AND DECISIONS ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN THAT REGARD.

TED: NOW, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THE MATCHING RATE TO EXPANSION WAS HIT?

WASN'T HIT?

I KNOW THERE'S A 90% MATCH HERE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO?

WHERE DOES THAT PLAY INTO ALL THIS?

>> THE FEDERAL MATCH FOR THE STATES FOR THE EXPANSION POPULATION DID NOT CHANGE IN THE BILL.

TED: IT DOESN'T, OKAY.

>> THERE WERE PROMISES MADE TO SENATORS AND OTHERS THAT THEY WILL REVISIT THAT, SO WE EXPECT THAT TO BE BACK ON THE TABLE.

HOWEVER AS PASSED, HR1 DID NOT MATCH THE EXPANSION, IT REDUCED PROVIDER PAYMENTS.

>> AGAIN, I HEAR FROM THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE BILL, AND THEY SAY THAT MEDICAID ENROLLMENT DOESN'T NECESSARILY NEED GO DOWN.

IT'S NOT A CUT AS IT WERE, BUT WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE OTHER SIDE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE -- CHECK THAT.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING FROM THE OTHER SIDE IS YOU STILL QUALIFY, YOU JUST GOT TO PROVE IT.

WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS PROVING IT IS SUCH A DETERRENT TO SO MANY PEOPLE THEY'RE JUST GOING TO FALL OFF?

>> YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE BILL IS WRITTEN ON ITS FACE, DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY'RE DISENROLLING ANYONE OR TAKING ANYONE OFF THE MEDICAID ROLLS, BUT WE KNOW BY THE INCREASED REQUIREMENTS, I'M NOT AGAINST WORK REQUIREMENTS, PER SE, NO ONE IS REALLY, BUT NOT UNDERSTANDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS.

IT'S A THINLY VEILED WAY TO ADD MORE BUREAUCRACY, MORE LAYERS TO MAKE THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO FALL OFF.

MEDICAID ISN'T LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, WHERE YOU ARE SITTING THERE, ABLE-BODIED ADULTS COLLECTING PAYCHECKS, COLLECTING CHECKS FOR MEDICAID.

THAT'S NOT HOW OUR SYSTEM WORKS.

PROVIDERS MAKE PAYMENTS TO MEDICAID PATIENT WHO NEED THE SERVICES.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN ORDER TO REALIZE THE COST SAVINGS THEY NEEDED IN THE BILL TO GET THE TAX CUTS THEY WANTED, ULTIMATELY YOU HAVE TO SERVE FEWER PEOPLE.

WE KNOW THAT WILL HAPPEN.

BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD IN THE RHETORIC OF WE HAVEN'T CUT ANYONE OFF, WE'RE ADDRESSING WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE BUT TO ACHIEVE THE COST SAVINGS PEOPLE HAVE TO FALL OFF THE ROLLS OR PROVIDERS REIMBURSED LOWER RATES.

TED: INTERESTING EQUATION THERE.

I'M HEARING A LOT ABOUT RURAL HOSPITALS IN REAL TROUBLE, IF AND WHEN ALL THESE THINGS GO THROUGH.

IS THAT HYPERBOLE?

REALITY?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> THE REALITY IS HOSPITALS BOTH URBAN AND RURAL HAVE TIGHT FINANCIAL MARGINS, THEY HAVE TO BE SMART WITH BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND RURAL IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE MAYBE NOT AT THE VOLUME OR THE POPULATIONS THEY SERVE, THERE'S A HEAVILY MEDICAID POPULATION AREA.

THEY WILL FILL A LOT OF THESE CUTS DIRECTLY AND QUICK.

TED: YEAH, AND I REMEMBER YEARS AGO BEFORE WE HAD THE EXPANSION AND ALL THIS GOING ON, UNCOMPENSATED CARE FROM HOSPITALS WAS A BIG DEAL.

WE HAD A LOT OF HOSPITAL EXECUTIVES ON HERE SAYING WE CAN'T SURVIVE WITH THIS UNCOMPENSATED CARE, SOMETHING'S GOT TO BE COMPENSATED.

ARE WE GOING BACK TO THAT?

>> THIS ISN'T OUR FIRST RODEO, WE'VE SEEN THE STORY PLAY OUT.

I WAS AT THE ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT THE TIME AND WORKED FOR THEM WHEN THE CHAMBER WAS A HUGE PROPONENT WITH GOVERNOR BREWER OF EXPANDING MEDICAID TO ELIMINATE THE HEALTH CARE TAX ON BUSINESS AND LOWER UNCOMPENSATED CARE BECAUSE BY LAW, HOSPITALS HAVE TO SERVE EVERYONE THAT COMES INTO THEIR DOORS FOR SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY.

IF THEY CAN'T GET REIMBURSED FOR THE SERVICES THEY RENDERED, THEY CAN'T BEAR THOSE COSTS.

THERE IS COST SHIFT IN THE SYSTEM AND OFTEN HAS TO GO TO EMPLOYER SPONSORED OR PRIVATE INSURANCE IN ORDER FOR HOSPITALS TO KEEP DOORS OPEN.

TED: IN ORDER TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

>> FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST MEDICAID PATIENTS RIGHT?

WE HAVE INTEGRATED HOSPITAL, WE DON'T HAVE PRIVATE INSURED HOSPITALS, MEDICAID HOSPITALS, WE'RE ONE BIG SYSTEM AND MEDICAID IS A HUGE COMPONENT OF THAT SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU CUT THE FINANCING AND MESS WITH THAT IT DESTABILIZES THE ENTIRE DELIVERY.

TED: TO THE POINT HOSPITALS HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS?

>> POTENTIALLY.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO.

IT'S A REAL THREAT.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE WON'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL THE END OF NEXT YEAR, CORRECT?

>> DEPENDING ON WHICH PROVISION.

DIFFERENT EFFECTIVE DATES WHETHER THAT BE TO GET BY THE PARLIAMENTIAN, WHETHER THAT BE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS OR POLITICAL, BUT VARIOUS EFFECTIVE DATES.

TED: LAST QUESTION, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2011, SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE?

2012?

>> SO THE FREEZE HAPPENED DURING THE GREAT RECESSION.

WE SAW THAT HERE.

SO ARIZONA, WE'RE UNIQUE OTHER THAN OTHER STATES.

OUR EXPANSION POPULATION IS MADE UP OF TWO DIFFERENT AVENUES.

PROP 204 PASSED BY THE VOTERS SAYING THEY WANTED LOW-INCOME FOLKS TO RECEIVE MEDICAID BENEFITS.

GOVERNOR BREWER, AFTER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, KNEW THEY COULD EXPAND SLIGHTLY TO DRAW DOWN MORE FEDERAL FUNDS, COVER MORE PEOPLE AND DEAL WITH THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE COSTS THE HOSPITAL AND BUSINESS SECTOR FELT WHEN THEY FROZE ENROLLMENTS DURING THE GREAT RECESSION.

WHEN IT FROZE DURING THE GREAT RECESSION, WE SAW UNCOMPENSATED SPIKES.

PEOPLE DON'T STOP GETTING SICK.

THEY DON'T SEEK THE APPROPRIATE CARE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND COME TO THE ER SICKER AND MORE EXPENSIVE CARE.

TED: LAST QUESTION, WERE LESSONS LEARNED THERE THAT CAN BE APPLIED HERE?

>> YES, THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN SAYING.

WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.

SEEN THE STORY PLAY OUT AND IT DIDN'T GO WELL FOR ARIZONA AND THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN OTHER STATES.

UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY IT RESONATED AND THE BILL PASSED.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE.

TED: BRITTNEY KAUFMANN, HEALTH SYSTEM ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA, GOOD INFORMATION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

APPRECIATE IT.

.

TED: GROUNDBREAKING ON A NEW SKYSCRAPER IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX IS SET FOR LATER THIS SUMMER.

THIS IS NOT JUST ANY SKYSCRAPER.

IT WILL BE THE TALLEST BUILDING IN ARIZONA AND BRING A NEW LOOK TO THE PHOENIX SKYLINE.

HERE WITH MORE IS CHRIS MacKAY, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF PHOENIX.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU.

TED: BEFORE WE GET TO TALLEST BUILDING, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT TALL BUILDINGS AND HOW PEOPLE HAVE IDEAS ABOUT TALL BUILDINGS BEFORE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DOWNTOWN.

IF YOU'VE BEEN GONE TEN YEARS AND YOU COME BACK, YOU ARE GOING TO SAY WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE THE PLACE.

TED: WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> ABSOLUTELY CRAZY.

WE'VE HAD A STRONG FOCUS SINCE 2014 BRINGING NEW PEOPLE INTO LIVING IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX.

WE'VE GONE FROM 10,000 PEOPLE IN 2014, WE PUT THIS AUDACIOUS FOLWE WANTED TO GET 20,000 PEOPLE BY 2030, WE'RE AT 24,500 TODAY, WE'LL BE AT 30,000 BY 2030 AND DOESN'T INCLUDE OUR STUDENTS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE THEY ALL FIT IN THE NEW BUILDING HERE.

WHERE IS THIS BUILDING GOING TO BE BUILT AND HOW TALL IS IT GOING TO BE?

>> JUST NORTH OF VAN BUREN ON 2nd AVENUE.

IT WILL BE ADJACENT TO THE CENTRAL STATION PROJECT.

IT'S GOING TO BE 44 STORIES, ABOUT 542 FEET TALL.

PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, CHASE TOWER, THE EXISTING TALLEST BUILDING IN PHOENIX IS 40 STORIES AND 483 FEET.

TED: IT'S 60 FEET TALLER THAN CHASE TOWER?

>> 60 FEET TALLER.

TED: AND ANOTHER TOWER?

>> IT WILL HAVE JUST UNDER 700 HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL UNITS.

230 HOTEL KEYS BUT 200,000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE.

GROUND FLOOR RETAIL AND OFFICE.

IT WILL BE ENCOMPASSING CITY SPACE IN ITSELF.

TED: 700 MULTIFAMILY -- ARE WE TALKING APARTMENTS, CONDOS, A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH?

>> APARTMENTS.

>> THIS IS ALL RENTAL?

>> ALL RENTAL APARTMENTS.

WE'VE SEEN JUST IN THE LAST YEAR ABOUT 1200 HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY UNITS DOWNTOWN AND ABSORPTION RATE OR HOW FAST THEY'RE TAKEN DOWN IS EXCEEDING METROPOLITAN PHOENIX BY FOUR TIMES.

TO YOUR POINT WHEN YOU WERE TALKING EARLIER IS DOWNTOWN TURNED INTO THIS NEW EXCITING VIBRANT PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE TO WALK TO THE PUBS AND TO WORK.

>> YOU MENTIONED A HOTEL IN THERE AS WELL.

LIKE HOW MANY FLOORS DOES THAT TAKE UP?

>> IT'S ABOUT 12 OF THE FLOORS.

TED: WOW.

AND PEOPLE CAN LIVE ABOVE THE 12-STORY HOTEL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TED: AND RETAIL AT THE BOTTOM.

RETAIL, RESTAURANTS.

>> RETAIL, COFFEE SHOP THAT WILL CONNECT DOWNTOWN THROUGH A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE WALK AREA.

TED: WHAT KIND OF PARKING HERE?

>> 1200 SUBTERRANEAN PARKING SPACES.

SOME SUBTERRANEAN AND SOME ABOVE GRADE ENOUGH TO SERVICE THE PROJECT AND THE GREAT RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA.

TED: THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, THAT'S A LOT OF HUMANS DOING A LOT OF THINGS, THAT MEANS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, DOESN'T IT?

HOW IS THAT WORKING?

WHAT'S THE EQUATION THERE?

>> THE REALLY GREAT THING IS WHEN DOWNTOWN WAS BUILT IT, WAS BUILT TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS PUT IN IN 1903 OR 1910, SO THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IS PUTTING IN ALL NEW INFRASTRUCTURE BUT POWER GRID WAS BUILT TO HANDLE ALL OF THE POWER OF THE HIGH-DENSITY WATER AND WASTE.

WATER IS THERE.

I THINK WHAT'S CREATING IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO BUILD NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AS WE PUSH OUT.

TED: IT SEEMS LIKE PHOENIX HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, BUT HAVEN'T HAD UP TO 700 MULTIFAMILY UNITS IN ONE THING.

SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF PIPING AND PLUMBING.

>> A LOT OF GREAT JOBS FOR PEOPLE TO BUILD TO YOU JEERS THAT, TOO.

I'M SEEING LOTS OF GLASS AND LOTS OF SUN.

ARE THEIR CONCERNS OVER REFLECTIONS, CONCERNS OVERHEAT WHEN YOU ARE 44 STORIES TALL.

HEAT RISES, CHRISTINE.

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY TELL ME.

THE DEVELOPER DOING THE PROJECT IS ASPERRANT DEVELOPMENT, HE'S DONE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT ARE A LOT OF GLASS, OVER THE YEARS WITH ASSISTABILITY, THEY HAVE FIGURED OUT TO STOP THE REFLECTION, NOT ABSORB THE HEAT INTO THE GLASS.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THAT IN DOWNTOWN OVER THE LAST DECADE AND IT'S WORKING, TECHNOLOGY CHANGED DRAMATICALLY WHEN IT WAS CONCEIVED UP FOR GLASS AND THE BUILDINGS WOULD GET SO HOT.

TED: GROUNDBREAKING IS WHEN?

>> END OF THIS YEAR.

TED: AND WILL TAKE ABOUT HOW LONG?

>> THREE YEARS TO BUILD.

TED: WHAT HAPPENS TO CHASE TOWER?

I FEEL BAD FOR CHASE TOWER.

USED TO BE THE BIG KAHUNA.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG KAHUNA AGAIN.

THE DEVELOPER WHO WORKED ON THE BUILDING IS WORKING ON THE PLANS NOW.

THEY GUTTED THE BUILDING AND COMPLETED THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK AND WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM ON THE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES INSIDE OF THAT BUILDING.

MY GUESS IS THAT WILL START REDEVELOPMENT IN EARLY 2026.

TED: I FEEL BAD.

>> I DO TOO.

TED: FENCING AROUND IT, IT LOOKS LOST AND FORELORN, YOU ARE BUILDING THIS RIGHT CLOSE TO IT.

IT WILL HAVE A SECOND LIFE.

>> IT WILL.

TED: CHRIS MacKAY, CITY OF PHOENIX, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

.

TED: A BEST SELLING PHOENIX AUTHOR IS OUT WITH A NEW BOOK DESCRIBED AS A LITERARY ROM-COM.

THE NOVEL IS TITLED "COURTROOM DRAMA," AND IT COMBINES FRIENDSHIP, ROMANCE, REALITY, TELEVISION AND A COURT TRIAL.

NEELY TUBATI ALEXANDER IS THE AUTHOR OF "COURTROOM DRAMA," AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BOOK.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: THIS IS LIKE YOUR THIRD ONE, RIGHT?

>> THIRD ROM-COM.

TED: CONGRATULATIONS.

WRITING A BOOK SEEMS LIKE SUCH AN EFFORT.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO WRITE A NOVEL?

>> AN EFFORT.

DEFINITELY AN EFFORT.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK, AND EVERY BOOK THAT YOU FINISH, YOU GET MORE INTUITIVE, A LITTLE SMARTER, A LITTLE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE STRUCTURE AND HOW TO GO ABOUT BUILDING THINGS, SO I WOULD NEVER SAY IT GETS EASIER BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS INDEPENDENT CHALLENGES WITH EACH BOOK, BUT IT DOES BECOME MORE INTUITIVE.

TED: I WANT TO GET TO THE WRITING PROCESS IN JUST A SECOND.

"COURTROOM DRAMA," A HIGH-STAKES COURTROOM LOVE STORY DEALING WITH SEQUESTERED JURORS A LOT HERE, HUH?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, YOUR AGENT OR PUBLISHER IS LOOKING FOR THINGS HIGH CONCEPT.

ONE OF THE BELOVED TROPES IN ROMANCE READERS IS FORCED PROXIMITY, AND WHAT BETTER FORCED PROXIMITY THAN BEING IN A SEQUESTERED JURY.

TED: IS THAT LIKE AN IDEA TO MAKE SURE THEY NEVER GET AWAY.

>> I GUESS SO.

TED: AND A LOT GOING ON HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WRITING PROCESS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON, AND I JUST WONDER, DO YOU DO AN OUTLINE?

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING WHEN YOU START?

DO THE CHARACTERS SAY I'M NOT DOING THAT, I'M DOING THIS?

>> I'M REFERRED TO IN THE WRITING WORLD AS A PANTHER, I FLY BY THE SAFETY MY PANTS.

I KNOW AUTHORS OUTLINE AND PLOT.

IT'S DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE, BUT FOR ME, THE EXCITING PART IS SITTING DOWN, SEEING WHERE THE CHARACTERS TAKE ME AND LET THEM GUIDE THE STORY.

IT'S MORE EXCITING THAT WAY, AND KEEPS ME FROM GETTING WRITER'S BLOCK.

TED: PROBABLY DOES.

IF IT'S A COURTROOM DRAMA AND YOU GOT TWO PEOPLE, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GET TOGETHER.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE JUST NOT HITTING IT OFF?

>> ROMANCE READERS WILL REVOLT IF YOU DON'T GIVE THEM A HAPPILY EVER AFTER OR WHAT WE CALL HAPPILY FOR NOW.

ROMANCE, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET, YOU KNOW WHAT WILL ULTIMATELY HAPPEN, BUT THE ROAD TO HOW THEY GET THERE IS EXCITING FOR READERS.

THERE'S A REASON READERS GO BACK TO THE GENRE OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IT IS THE NUMBER ONE GENRE BECAUSE IT IS FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE AND READERS EAT IT UP.

TED: YOU SAY READERS EAT IT UP, DO YOU GET FAN MAIL?

FOLKS THAT ARE NUTS OVER THE CHARACTERS?

>> THE BEST THING I THINK IS HEARING FROM READERS IN YOUR DMs OR REACH OUT TO YOU AND TELL YOU WHAT SPECIFICALLY THEY CONNECTED WITH IN THE STORY, SO WHETHER IT WAS A CHARACTER OR A SCENE OR SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID, AND SOMETIMES THE THINGS YOU DIDN'T EXPECT OR DIDN'T THINK TWICE ABOUT PUTTING INTO A BOOK, AND THAT'S ALWAYS REALLY NICE TO SEE HOW PEOPLE WERE TOUCHED BY IT, IN WAYS YOU NEVER EXPECT.

TED: ARE YOU EVER SURPRISED BY THE REACTION?

>> I AM.

SOMETIMES YOU WRITE SOMETHING AND THINK THIS IS GOING TO LAND AND ENDS UP BEING SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

TED: TALK ABOUT RESEARCH.

HOW FAMILIAR ARE YOU WITH THE LEGAL PROCESS, WITH COURTROOM TRIALS AND THE WHOLE BUSINESS HERE, AND DID YOU HAVE TO DO A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THAT?

>> NOW I AM VERY FAMILIAR.

GOING IN, I ALWAYS JOKE THAT EVERY BOOK THERE IS ONE THING THEY STOP IN THE MIDDLE AND THINK WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF?

SOMETHING THAT I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT AND DECIDED TO INCORPORATE INTO THE BOOK.

THIS WAS THE COURTROOM PART OF IT.

I KNEW THE REALITY AND THE TV SIDE, THAT IS WHERE I SPENT MOST OF MY TIME ON RESEARCH IS COURTROOM TRIALS, SEQUESTERED JURIES AND ALL OF THAT.

TED: DID THAT HELP CHANGE THE DIRECTION, CHANGE THE PLOT A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT MADE IT MORE CHALLENGING, WANTING TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE BEING REALISTIC AND NOT TAKING TOO MANY -- TOO MUCH LEEWAY WITH THE PLOT AND ENSURE YOU ARE HEARING WHAT WOULD AND WOULDN'T HAPPEN IN A REAL COURTROOM ENVIRONMENT DOES TEND TO CLOSE THE REIGNS, TIGHTEN THE REINS IN TERMS OF PLOT.

THAT WAS A CHALLENGE.

>> I IMAGINE YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH A LITTLE BIT.

ATTORNEYS CAN'T -- IT'S A ROM-COM, FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

>> YOU'D BE SURPRISED.

TED: YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A BRAVOHOLIC, IS THAT WHERE THE REALITY TELEVISION COMES IN?

>> YOU SHOULD WRITE THE BOOK YOU WANT TO READ, I LOVE REALITY TV.

IT'S A GREAT ESCAPE WHEN THE WORLD IS SO HEAVY, AND ROMANCE DOES A LOT WHAT REALITY TV DOES FOR PEOPLE WHICH IS GIVE THEM A NICE ESCAPE FROM THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE WORLD.

IT WAS FUN TO EXPLORE SOMETHING I ALREADY ENJOY.

TED: ARE THERE CHARACTERS, WHEN YOU WRITE THE CHARACTERS, DO YOU SEE A BRAVO CHARACTER?

OR CONVERSELY, WHEN YOU ARE WALKING DOWN THE STREET OR THE MALL, DO YOU SEE SOMEONE AND GO I KNOW YOU, I WROTE ABOUT YOU ONE OR TWO BOOKS AGO.

DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> I WILL SAY, SOMETIMES PEOPLE ASK IS THIS CHARACTER BASED OFF A CERTAIN CHARACTER IN YOUR LIFE?

IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE BUT YOU PULL THINGS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

SO PIECES OF PERSONALITIES, WAYS PEOPLE BEHAVE.

THEIR MANNERISMS.

YOU PULL BITS AND PIECES OF THINGS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

TED: YEAH, YEAH.

IT JUST SEEMS -- WRITING A BOOK SEEMS LIKE I MENTIONED AT THE START, SUCH AN EFFORT.

HOW DO YOU FIND TIME TO DO IT?

>> IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING, EVERYONE IS BUSY AND IT'S A MATTER WHAT YOU PRIORITIZE FOR YOUR TIME.

A LOT OF THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN IN THE SCHOOL PICKUP LINE WAITING FOR MY KIDS AND INSOLLIN MOMENTS, PEOPLE ARE GOING WAIT UNTIL THERE IS FOUR HOURS OF TIME AND MOOD COFFEE AND SIPS OF COFFEE, THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, I PRIORITIZE THEM AND GO FOR IT.

TED: DOES THE MUSE FIND YOU OR YOU GO LOOKING FOR IT?

>> I HAVE NEVER -- HATE TO SAY NEVER, BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN AT A LOSS FOR IDEAS.

IT'S A QUESTION OF WHAT IS THE MARKET DEMANDING AND IT IS A PRIORITIZATION OF IDEA MORE THAN A LACK OF IDEA.

TED: YEAH, YEAH, LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, IS HOLLYWOOD OR NETFLIX KNOCKING ON THE DOOR A LITTLE BIT?

>> LET'S PUT IT OUT THERE.

I HAVE A FILM AND TV AGENT AND SEEING THE LIST WHO THEY SEND IT OUT TO IS A FUN CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

YEAH, WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

TED: NEELY TUBATI ALEXANDER "COURTROOM DRAMA."

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS.

YOU MUST BE PROUD AND GOOD LUCK WITH THE HOLLYWOOD STUFF.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.