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

WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING THE STATE TREASURER ANNOUNCING CANDIDACY FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY.

THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

JOINING US TONIGHT, MARY JO PITZL OF "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

HOWIE FISCHER OF CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES AND WAYNE SCHUTSKY OF KJZZ RADIO.

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MARY JO, START WITH YOU, WAS THIS A SURPRISE THAT KIMBERLY YEE ANNOUNCED FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AGAINST A SITTING REPUBLICAN?

>> YOU SOUNDED SURPRISE THERE IS SOMEBODY GOING UP AGAINST A SITTING REPUBLICAN.

I DIDN'T HAVE HER HIGH ON MY CARD.

I HAD A COUPLE OTHER NAMES I THOUGHT MIGHT BE MORE APPETIZING TO THE FREEDOM CAUCUS, WHICH WAS COURTING SOMEONE TO RUN AGAINST SUPERINTENDENT TOM HORNE.

TED: WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THIS?

>> I HAD HER -- TALK ABOUT THE CARD, AND WE ALL DO THIS.

I FIGURED SHE WOULD BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, WE HAVE THE NEW SYSTEM THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE NOMINATED CHOOSES A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

SHE'S ALSO, I MEAN, WE GO BACK AND COVERED HER IN THE SENATE AS MAJORITY LEADER.

SHE WAS NEVER ONE OF THE BIZARRE RIGHT-WING CREW.

SHE CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, HAS TRIED TO MAINTAIN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THING, WHICH IS HOW SHE GOT ELECTED SO HANDILY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, COZY UP TO THE FREEDOM CAUCUS, AND THEN TO SAY I ALSO BELIEVE WE DON'T NEED CHECKS OVER VOUCHER SPENDING WHEN SHE'S BEEN THE STATE TREASURER WAS A BIG SURPRISE.

TED: WAYNE, THAT IS THE ISSUE, OBVIOUSLY, STATES AND VOUCHERS, THE FREEDOM CAUCUS SAYING WHAT HOWIE SAID, BASICALLY NO CHECKS FOR THESE THINGS?

>> YEAH, SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN HAD AN ISSUE WITH HORNE FOR A WHILE NOW, GOING AFTER HIM SAYING HE'S THE BIGGEST THREAT TO ESAs IN THE STATE, WHICH IS LAUGHABLE FOR THOSE OF US WHO COVER THIS STUFF.

TOM HORNE IS A BIG FAN OF ESAs, BUT HORNE MADE SOME EFFORT TO BACKING NONEDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

THE THINGS WE HEARD ABOUT, AND THOUSANDS ON WATCHES OR EXORBITANT INSTRUMENTS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, AND HOFFMAN SEEMS TO BELIEVE THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO REGULATE THE ESAs, IT GOES BEYOND THE LAW AND THAT'S A THREAT TO THE SYSTEM, AND BASED ON WHAT YOU SAID AT HER PRESS CONFERENCE INTRODUCING HERSELF AS A CANDIDATE, SHE'S IN LINE WITH HIM.

TED: IF YOU DO ALLOW FOR A THOUSAND DOLLAR PEN AND $24,000 GOLF EQUIPMENT AND ALL THIS KIND OF BUSINESS, THAT KIND OF QUESTIONABLE ACTIVITY PUTS THE PROGRAM ITSELF IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE THE MASSES ARE GOING TO SAY WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THAT IS A POINT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE AGREED WITH.

ALSO NOT TO MENTION THE EFFECT ON THE STATE GENERAL FUND.

IF THE MESSAGE GETS OUT THAT YOU CAN GO YOU, TOO, CAN GET FREE LUXURY DRIVING LESSONS OR SKI TRIPS THAT MIGHT INCENTIVIZE MORE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM.

HE'S JUST TRYING TO PUT GUARDRAILS AND THEY'RE VERY GENEROUS GUARDRAILS ON THE PROGRAM.

THEY'RE NOTHING LIKE WHAT GOVERNOR HOBBS PROPOSED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

>> THAT'S PERFECTLY THE POINT.

NOT THAT YOU UNDERMINE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND MAY ENCOURAGE.

PARENTS ARE SAYING THE HANDBOOK HE PUTS OUT FOR THE PARENTS DIDN'T SAY YOU CAN'T BUY A $5,000 ROLEX.

HE SAID, WHY WOULD ANYONE BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS SOMEWHERE AN ACADEMIC EXERCISE.

YOU CAN GET INTO THE SLIPPERY SLOPE, DO YOU NEED AN $8,000 CELLO?

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO BE A PROFESSIONAL CELLIST, $8,000 CELLO IS BETTER THAN AN $800 ONE.

>> I THINK IT WAS 16,000.

>> I GOT THE DISCOUNT ONE.

IT FELL OFF A TRUCK SOMEWHERE.

IT'S THESE THINGS THAT SOME OF IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS, AND YOU KNOW, HOFFMAN'S POSITION AND YEE'S POSITION NOW IS, WELL, BUT THE LEGISLATURE NEVER PROVIDED FOR THAT.

I THINK YOU COULD EASILY READ INTO THE LEGISLATION, THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, AND DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

TED: FUNDING FOR A VASECTOMY TESTING KIT?

>> WONDER WHY YOU GO TO ME WITH THAT QUESTION.

LIKE HOWIE SAID, SOME OF THIS IS COMMON SENSE, YOU CAN MAKE AN ARGUMENT LETTER OF THE LAW VERSUS SPIRIT OF THE LAW, WHAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED AND SHOULDN'T BE, A FIDUCIARY POSITION GOING WITH THE MORE LIBERAL LOOK WHAT SHOULD BE SPENT ON THESE ITEMS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A POLITICAL CALCULATION TO GET THIS CONSTITUENCY THAT'S IMPORTANT IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ON HER SIDE.

>> ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT THAT TOM HORNE MADE, WHEN A PARENT IS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDING, PARENT CAN GO AHEAD, GO TO THE HEARING OFFICER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN GO TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

EVERY APPEAL FILED BY A PARENT HAS BEEN DENIED.

NOT A QUESTION HE OR ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES IS WILLY-NILLY.

THEY'RE SAYING WE LOOKED AT THE LAW, WE HAVE INITIATIVE LAW, LOOKED AT THE LAW, AND THESE ARE NOT FIT AS EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

TED: A PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST A STATE OFFICEHOLDER.

HOW UNUSUAL?

>> YEAH, SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL.

TRYING TO THINK OF THE LAST TIME WE HAD A -- WELL, MICHELE REAGAN HAD A CHALLENGE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, IN FACT, HE WON AND BEAT HER IN THE PRIMARY.

THEY DO HAPPEN.

WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT YEE, SHE DOES HAVE AN EDUCATION POLICY BACKGROUND.

SHE LIKES TO REMIND PEOPLE SHE WAS ON THE STATE SENATE STAFF AND DID EDUCATION POLICY, BUT SHE RAN EDUCATION POLICY FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MR. SCHWARZENEGGER ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL OR BEING INVITED TO ENDORSE HER.

TED: AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE OBVIOUSLY, KIMBERLY YEE MAKING ATTEMPTS FOR GOVERNOR.

>> NOT THIS CYCLE.

TED: A TEMPORARY ATTEMPT BEFORE, THAT WAS ABORTED, AND SHE WINDS UP, I THINK PEOPLE SAID SHE MIGHT TRY AGAIN, BUT NO, OBVIOUSLY.

>> AS HOWIE MENTIONED, IT WAS THOUGHT SHE WOULD GO FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ROLES.

THAT BEING SAID, STILL A POSSIBILITY.

IF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ISN'T PICKED UNTIL AFTER THE PRIMARY.

IF SHE LOSES THE PRIMARY TO HORNE, SHE'S POTENTIALLY A CANDIDATE FOR THAT.

TED: YOU GOT THE TOM HORNE AND THE KIMBERLY YEE FOR SPI HERE, WHO WINS?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S TRICKY BECAUSE WE'VE ALL BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE STRENGTH OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS.

THEY CAN RAISE MONEY, THEY HAVE A SOLID BASE.

THIS IS WHAT ANDY BIGGS IS RUNNING ON AND SAYING, THEY CAN PROBABLY -- IF YOU'RE BACKED BY THE FREEDOM CAUCUS, YOU FIGURE 38% RIGHT THERE.

HORNE IS NOT A GREAT CAMPAIGNER, NOT A GREAT SPEAKER.

HE'S GOT SOME EXPERIENCE, HE WAS A STATE LEGISLATOR, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, AND BECAME ATTORNEY GENERAL, BACK TO SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, BUT I DON'T KNOW, HE HAS AN INHERENT LIST OF POLITICAL ALLIES THERE.

SO I GIVE IT TO YEE ONLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT IF SHE CAN ESPOUSE SOMETHING BEYOND VOUCHERS AS FAR AS EDUCATION POLICY, AND PUSHED AROUND THIS AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU BELIEVE?

KIDS SHOULD DO BETTER.

DUH.

BUT SHE NEEDS TO ESPOUSE SOMETHING MORE.

TED: HANDICAP IN THIS CASE?

>> I LEAN TO YEE AS WELL, SHE HAS BETTER REPUBLICAN TRACK RECORD AND PULLING IN ANOTHER CONSTITUENCY WITH THE FREEDOM CAUCUS IN THE PRIMARY, WHICH GIVES HER A DECENT COALITION, IF SHE CAN HOLD ON.

IT'S TENUOUS, BUT HOLD ON TO BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTY IN A PRIMARY ELECTION.

TED: MARY JO, WE'RE SPECULATING, TOM HORNE, WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT HE WANTS TO RUN AGAIN?

>> OH.

TED: YOU THINK HE'S GOING TO RUN AGAIN?

>> I THINK SO.

HE WAS OUT ON ELECTION DAY IN NOVEMBER GETTING SIGNATURES ON PETITIONS.

HE CAN SELF FUND, I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE WANTS TO SPEND MONEY ON.

HE CAN PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE CAMPAIGN.

TED: DO WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES YET OR DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS?

>> NAMES THAT HAVE AN EDUCATION BACKGROUND BUT NO NAME THAT POPS TO THE TOP.

NO STATE LEGISLATOR THAT HAS DEMOCRATIC EXPERIENCE.

THERE ARE SOME LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS WHO WOULD BE GOOD CANDIDATES BUT SO FAR THEY DECIDED, LET'S SIT BACK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

TED: SAME THING?

NO REAL NAMES POPPING UP?

>> YEAH, THIS WOULD PROVIDE AN OPENING FOR A DEMOCRATIC, WHEN YOU HAVE A BRUISING PRIMARY, THAT ALWAYS GIVES THE OTHER PARTY AN OPPORTUNITY.

NO NAMES IN THE LIST THAT JUMP TO THE TOP.

TED: THIS PROMISES TO BE A BRUISING PRIMARY?

>> OH, YEAH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY.

JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE.

MARY JO, STICKING WITH YOU, SOUNDS LIKE SENATE CAME BACK FOR A DAY AFTER THREE WEEKS OFF AND TOOK MORE TIME.

WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE CAPITOL, IF ANYTHING?

.

>> THEY'RE SORT OF TRYING TO STRETCH OUT THE FEW REMAINING BILLS THEY HAVE TO TAKE ACTION ON UNTIL WE CAN GET TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE STATE BUDGET.

AND MOST ACCOUNTS I HEARD, THE ANTICIPATION IS THEY WILL DO THE BUDGET THE WEEK OF JUNE 16.

WE GOT ANOTHER TWO WEEKS OF TAP DANCING OR LITTLE LONG, LONG, LONG WEEKENDS.

>> THAT BECOMES THE PROBLEM UNTIL SUDDENLY THEY SEE THE END, OR LIKE A SKYDIVER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE DOWN 250 FEET, AND YOU'RE SAYING I THINK IT'S TIME TO PULL THE RIPCORD AND THE SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN.

LOOK, IT'S GOT TO BE A BIPARTISAN BUDGET.

IF THERE'S AN ALL-REPUBLICAN BUDGET, NO WAY THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SIGN.

MATT GRESS, INVOLVED WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND ONE OF THE PLANS IS TO DIVIDE THE SURPLUS WHERE THE GOVERNOR GETS SOME, HE'S SAYING, WAIT, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WE SHOULD FUND BY OURSELVES.

DPS HAS THINGS THAT WE RUN OUT OF OUR OWN BUDGET.

THERE ARE THINGS I'LL USE THE TERM LOOSELY AT THE LEGISLATURE.

TED: PROP 123, IS IT STILL A STICKING POINT?

>> IT'S NOT ANYMORE.

CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES REPORTED, THE GOVERNOR IS ON BOARD TO ATTACH ESAs TO PROP 123, TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION THEY WOULD NEED A GOVERNOR ON BOARD WHERE REPUBLICANS CAN SEND IT TO THE BALLOT.

TED: THAT WOULD BE A CROWDED BALLOT TO PUT IT ON.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S A RISK, AND THE CALCULATION WHAT DO YOU PUT INTO A PROP 123 EXTENSION.

DO YOU WANT TO MARRY VOUCHER PROTECTION WITH HIGHER PAY, AND SHOULD THE PAY BE JUST FOR TEACHERS, OR SHOULD IT BE FOR OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL, AND HOW LONG SHOULD IT LAST, DRAWING MONEY FOR THE STATE LAND TRUST?

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE LAND TRUST SHOULD YOU TAKE EVERY YEAR?

SO ON A VERY CROWDED BALLOT, IT COULD REALLY SLIM DOWN THE PROPOSAL.

TED: SPEAKING OF SLIMMING DOWN, SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE TWO THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

>> NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IF YOU ASK REPUBLICANS, THEY ARE ALL RELATED BECAUSE THEY ARE ON EDUCATION.

THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER AND IT MAY BE THE SUPREME COURT.

>> THIS IS ABOUT A WEEK OLD, I CALLED SENATOR J.D.

MESNARD, LIKE THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR THE SENATE ON PROP 123, I'M HEARING THIS THING IS PROBABLY DEAD.

NO, IT'S NOT DEAD, IT'S LIKE THEY SAY IN THE PRINCESS BRIDE, IT'S MOSTLY DEAD, AND I JUST LOVE THAT BECAUSE IT'S LATE IN THE SESSION.

HAVE YOU LAWMAKERS QUOTING THE PRINCESS BRIDE TO SUPPORT THEIR POSITION, THERE YOU GO.

>> TO YOUR POINT, THE COURT HAS A STRICT RULE ABOUT DUAL ELEMENTS.

IT WAS A LOG ROLLING THING, IF THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTS ON THE BALLOT AND VOTERS WOULD LOVE THIS, HATE THIS, BUT TAKE IT AS A PACKAGE, THE COURT SAID NO WAY.

THEY KIND OF LOOSENED IT, AND SAID IF IT'S PART OF A WHOLE.

I'M CERTAINLY NO ATTORNEY, BUT I'M NOT SURE THEY COULD CRAFT SOMETHING THAT PUTS TOGETHER A CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE FOR STATE FUNDING TO GO TO PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS AND HOME-SCHOOLING AND MICROSCHOOLS ALONG WITH A PLAN TO TAKE MORE MONEY OUT OF THE TRUST TO FUND $4,000 TEACHER RAISES.

I'LL BE FASCINATED TO SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH.

TED: I'M FASCINATED TO SEE WHAT NUMBER THEY COME UP WITH AS FAR AS WHAT TO WORK WITH, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ONE OF THE THINGS WHERE EVERYBODY IS GETTING SOMETHING FROM THE POT, KIND OF DEAL?

>> MUCH SMALLER POT THAN THE PAST.

A LITTLE BIT FOR THE GOVERNOR, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, HOUSE REPUBLICANS SOUND SQUEAMISH ON THAT.

WANT TO BE MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, BUT WHAT ALL THIS SHOWS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD THIS FAR ON THE BUDGET, YOU GOT BIG ISSUES THAT GOT LEFT UNSAID, DIAMONDBACKS BILL THEY ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS OR PROP 123.

IT'S COMING DOWN CRUNCH TIME.

>> IF YOU DO A PLAN WHERE PEOPLE GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY TO SPEND, EVEN AS WE'RE CUTTING CERTAIN PROGRAMS, THE FEDS ARE CUTTING MEDICAID, YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO YOUR DISTRICT AND SAY I GOT YOU A ROUND ABOUT, LOOK WHAT I'VE DONE WITH YOUR MONEY.

TED: BACK IN THE DAY, SOMEONE SAID I GOT YOU A RODEO OR $15 MILLION FOR THE RODEO AND THE COURTS ARE SAYING NO, YOU DON'T.

>> EXACTLY.

THIS IS PART OF THE SCHEME THAT HOWIE OUTLINED AND THE PRESCOTT LAWMAKERS EARMARKED MONEY TO HELP THE PRESCOTT RODEO EXPAND.

PEOPLE SUED, SAID THIS IS IN VIOLATION OF THE GIFT CLAUSE.

YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE MONEY FOR A NONPUBLIC PURPOSE, AND THE JUDGE AGREED.

I THINK IT WAS A NINE PAGE DECISION, AND SAID THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY APPEAL.

REPRESENTATIVE QUAN NGUYEN, ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THE LEGISLATURE SAID I'M NOT GOING TO TRY AGAIN.

WE'RE OUT OF MONEY.

TED: YEAH, THE JUDGE SAYING THERE IS NO CLEAR BENEFIT, AND WHEN DO YOU SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU GOT TO SHOW THAT THE RETURN IS GREATER THAN THE MONEY YOU'RE GETTING.

>> THAT'S THE KEY PART.

SAID YOU VIOLATED BOTH HALVES OF THIS.

YOU'RE GIVING MONEY THAT'S CLEARLY EVEN THOUGH THE WORDS OF THE PRESCOTT RODEO WEREN'T MENTIONED IN THERE, SOME ORGANIZATION THAT HAPPENS TO RUN A RODEO IN YAVAPAI COUNTY.

YOU'RE GIVING MONEY TO A PRIVATE GROUP.

NUMBER TWO IS YOU CAN DO THAT.

IN SOME WAYS, SCHOOLS DO THAT NOW WHEN THEY CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES FOR EDUCATION.

THERE IS CONSIDERATION.

WHAT ARE YOU GETTING BACK IN THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN THE CASE OF SCHOOLS IS WE'RE EDUCATING CHILDREN.

WHAT IS THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF REBUILDING THE STANDS AT THE PRESCOTT RODEO?

JUDGE SAID, BEATS ME, AND THEREFORE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET TO DO THIS.

TED: THIS F THEY HAVE THE 90-90-90, THE HOUSE, SENATE, AND GOVERNOR GETTING CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE PIE, DOES THAT DECISION IMPACT HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT?

>> A SMALLER AMOUNT OF MONEY, NO INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKER HAS THE MONEY TO GIVE TO THE RODEO.

IT'S GOING TO GO TO A ROAD OR ROUND-ABOUT WHICH ARE ALLOWED UNDER THE RULES.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL AFFECT THIS.

IT WILL DOWN THE ROAD THE NEXT TIME THE STATE HAS A LARGER SURPLUS AND GET EVERYONE ON BOARD WITH THE SLUSH FUND.

>> HOW DARE YOU CALL IT A SLUSH FUND.

>> DID I SAY THAT OUTLOUD?

>> IT'S A STRUCTURAL BALANCE.

LAWMAKERS ARE HESITANT TO TAKE THE DEAL WITH THE PROJECTS THEY WANT TO BRING BACK TO THE DISTRICT YOU.

>> AGREE WITH THAT?

>> WITH?

TED: HAVE IT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR?

>> COURT RULINGS, JUST BE SPECIFIC AND THE LARGER ISSUE THAT MATT GRESS BROUGHT UP, IF YOU ITEMIZE ALL THESE TINY THINGS IN THE BUDGET SO SOMEBODY GETS A ROUND-ABOUT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PAY RAISES?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR EDUCATION?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR DISABILITY SERVICES?

THE LEGISLATURE IS THERE TO WORK FOR THE STATE GOOD, NOT JUST FOR YOUR DISTRICT.

TED: WAYNE, WE HAD A COUPLE DEBATES ON ARIZONA PBS, FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7, THE SEAT THAT THE LATE RAUL GRIJALVA HELD FOR 20+ YEARS.

WE STARTED WITH THE DEMOCRATS ON TUESDAY NIGHT, A LIVELIER DEBATE.

YOUR THOUGHTS, ESPECIALLY WITH ADELITA GRIJALVA AND DAN HERNANDEZ.

DEJA FOXX, YOUNG, MEDIA SAVVY, SHE MADE HER MARK AS WELL.

>> THE DEMOCRAT IS ALMOST GUARANTEED TO WIN THE SEAT, WHOEVER WINS THE PRIMARY.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF MINING COMPANIES, WHICH IS A QUESTIONABLE DECISION FOR ME IN A DISTRICT THAT AFFECTED RAUL GRIJALVA FOR TWO DECADES, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ADVOCATES FOR CONGRESS, BUT DID DIFFERENTIATE HIMSELF.

THEY ARE THE TWO FRONT-RUNNERS BUT DANIEL HERNANDEZ DID LOSE HIS LAST DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL BY 20+ POINTS.

SO TO -- I PUT GRIJALVA CLEAR AHEAD OF HIM BASED ON NAME RECOGNITION ALONE.

TED: GRIJALVA GETS THE SUPPORT OF KELLY, GALLEGO, REPRESENTATIVE GABBY GIFFORDS WHO HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GRIJALVA?

>> SURE, WHO HAS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SYSTEM.

ADELITA WORKED IN THE SYSTEM, DAD'S WORKED IN THE SYSTEM FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

SHE'S GOT THE NAME ID.

I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR ANYBODY NAMED GRIJALVA IN THE DISTRICT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

SHE HAS A FEW AREAS THAT DANIEL HERNANDEZ ATTACKED HER ON.

CITY OF TUCSON HAD A PROPOSAL TO HIKE THE SALES TAX BY HALF A CENT.

ADELITA WAS A PROPONENT OF THAT, AND SAID WAIT, WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO RAISE TAXES ON PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MONEY.

SHE'S GOT TO EXPLAIN THAT TO VOTERS.

>> IT WAS CLAIMED WHO'S THE MOST PROGRESSIVE FOR THE PARTICULAR PRIMARY ELECTION?

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THE MOST PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE IN THIS CASE WINS?

>> WELL, PROBABLY.

ALTHOUGH TO THE POINT, THE NAME ID MEANS A LOT, AND THAT CARRIES IMPLICATIONS OF CONTINUING CERTAIN POLICIES AND CERTAIN MEANING.

>> IT'S ONE OTHER PIECE.

YOU'VE SEEN THIS, TED, YOU GOT FIVE PEOPLE IN A RACE, DEPENDING ON HOW THEY SPLIT IT, LOOK THE GUY WHO COME UP WITH THE PLAN OF QUOTE, UNQUOTE CAPITTATING CAPITALISM, HE'S GOING TO PICK UP A FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS.

WHO CLAIMS WHO?

DEJA FOXX SAYING THIS IS A SPECIAL ELECTION, SHE CAN BE A SPOILER AND WHO KNOWS WHERE.

TED: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF HER PERFORMANCE?

>> SHE CAME OUT SWINGING WHICH IS EXPECTED.

SHE'S A VERY POLISHED SPEAKER, SHE WAS AN INFLUENCER FOR KAMALA HARRIS' 2020 CAMPAIGN.

SHE SPOKE AT THE DNC.

THOUGH SHE'S 25, SHE DEFINITELY HAS A TRACK RECORD IN DEMOCRATIC POLITICS.

SHE'S FROM TUCSON.

HAS A VERY COMPELLING STORY.

GREW UP RELYING ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES THAT DEMOCRATS NEED TO FIGHT TO PROTECT.

AS YOU SAID, THE MOST PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE, SHE MIGHT BE THE MOST PROGRESSIVE IN THE RACE, IT'S WHETHER SHE CAN OVERCOME THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT WITH DONOR LISTS.

TED: LET'S SAY SHE DOESN'T BUT STAYS IN THE RACE AND MAKES THE IMPACT.

WHERE ARE THE VOTES SIPHONED FROM?

>> FROM A PROGRESSIVE SIDE, COULD BE GRIJALVA, FROM A TUCSON-BASED SIDE, IT COULD BE HERNANDEZ.

SHE WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT CANDIDATE IF ELECTED TO CONGRESS.

IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW SHE'LL PERFORM.

>> MORE IMPORTANT NOW AFTER THE DEBATE, WHETHER THE TWO FRONT-RUNNERS TAB HER VERSUS EACH OTHER SO THEY CAN TAMP HER DOWN.

TED: QUICKLY, HOWIE, THE REPUBLICANS LAST NIGHT.

THIS IS SUCH A DEMOCRATIC -- 80-20 REGISTRATION ADVANTAGE.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE TWO GUYS?

>> TRIED TO DECIDE WHO IS BETTER AT KISSING A CERTAIN PRESIDENTIAL RUMPH.

THEY'RE ALL IN FAVOR OF HIS DEPORTATION POLICIES, TARIFF POLICIES.

THE ONE DIFFERENCE IS RIVAS SAID I DON'T HAVE PROBLEM WITH I.C.E.

GOING INTO CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES AND SCHOOLS.

GUTIERREZ SAID, THAT'S NOT THE WAY.

THE INTERESTING THING IS BUTIEREZ RAN AGAINST RAUL LAST TIME.

GOT ABOUT 99,000 VOTES.

HE'S SAYING IF I RUN AGAINST RAUL, AND I CAN GET 100,000 VOTES, THAT SHOWS I'M ELECTABLE.

RIVAS IS SAYING YOU RAN AGAINST A GUY WHO WAS CLEARLY DISABLED AT THE TIME AND COULD ONLY GET 100,000 VOTES, DOES THAT MAKE YOU ELECTABLE?

TED: LITTLE MORE GRAPHIC THAN THAT.

HIS POINT WAS THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A STURDY CANDIDATE.

MARY JO, DAVID SCHWEIKERT SNOOZING THROUGH A BILL?

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> THERE IS A REALLY IMPORTANT BILL THAT THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WANTED TO GET DONE LAST WEEKEND, AND I THINK THE VOTE WAS AT 1:00 IN THE MORNING, AND I GUESS THAT'S WHEN SOME PEOPLE SLEEP.

TED: AFTER ABOUT 36 HOURS OF BEING INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, HE JUST NODDED OFF WHEN THE VOTE WAS TAKEN?

>> HE SAID HE WENT TO GET COFFEE AND NEXT THING HE KNEW HE WAS LEANING ON THE DESK WITH HIS COFFEE.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON SAID HE WAS COMING THROUGH THE DOOR TO PUT HIS CARD IN WHEN HE GAVELLED IT OUT.

TED: ARE YOU BUYING THIS, HOWIE?

>> NO, I'M SORRY.

LOOK, CONGRESSMAN, CONGRESSWOMAN HAVE STAFFS.

WHEN THEY HEAR A BELL THAT A VOTE IS TAKEN, THEY COME AND GET THEIR PERSON, EVEN IF IT MEANS DRAGGING THEIR TUSH DOWN THE BLOCK AND GETTING THEM THERE.

I DON'T KNOW SCHWEIKERT WANTED TO GO ON THE RECORD IN TERMS OF MEDICAID CUTS.

THIS IS A WAY OF SAYING, A THEY DIDN'T NEED ME AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR IT, BUT B, YOU DON'T HAVE ME VOTING FOR IT.

TED: YOU WOULD RATHER GO ON THE RECORD AS SLEEPING THROUGH THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE OF THE SESSION AS FAR AS AGAINST THAT?

>> IN HIS CASE, IT MAY BE BETTER FOR HIM, I DON'T KNOW.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I MEAN, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A DERELICTION OF DUTY, I SLEPT THROUGH THE VOTE.

I'M NOT DOING MY JOB.

AND, YES, IT WAS A LONG PROCESS, AND IT WAS LATE, AND THESE THINGS HAPPEN, BUT THAT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE NOT ON THE BALL.

TED: CAMPAIGNWISE, IT'S A LOSE-LOSE SITUATION.

>> IT LOOKS AT VOTER MEMORIES.

WHO'S GOING TO REMEMBER HE SLEPT THROUGH THE VOTE IN A YEAR?

WHO'S GOING TO REMEMBER HE VOTED FOR MEDICAID CUTS IN A YEAR.

I AGREE WITH HOWIE, THIS ONLY PASSED BY A VOTE.

YOU IMAGINE IF THEY WANTED HIM THERE, THEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN HIM THERE.

TED: YEAH.

>> IT SEEMS A LITTLE CONVENIENT THAT HE AND ONE OTHER CONGRESSMAN SLEPT THROUGH THE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT VOTE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

>> A YEAR FROM NOW IF SOMEBODY RUNS AN AD AND THEY'RE PLAYING LULLABIES OVER IMAGES, THAT WILL REMIND PEOPLE WHAT HAPPENED.

TED: IT WILL REMIND PEOPLE AND PROMISES TO BE CONTESTED IN THAT DISTRICT.

>> AGAIN.

THIS IS A GUY WHO IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE HOUSE WHO IS ESSENTIALLY FOUND TO IS VIOLATED CERTAIN ETHICS RULES AND STILL GOT ELECTED.

HOW VULNERABLE IS HE?

I THINK HE FIGURES I'LL KEEP MY HEAD DOWN, WON'T DO A LOT OF INTERVIEWS, WON'T TALK TO CONSTITUENTS AND GET RE-ELECTED AGAIN.

>> THAT GOES TO THE POINT ABOUT CUTS TO MEDICAID, NOT A POPULAR THING TO BE BEHIND IN A DISTRICT LIKE THAT WHERE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF MEDICAID, AND ALSO HOW GOING TO GET RID OF WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, NOBODY IS BUYING IT.

>> THAT COMES DOWN TO MESSAGING.

THE QUESTION IS IF YOU'RE PUTTING IN WORK REQUIREMENTS, WORK REQUIREMENTS IS POPULAR AMONG BOTH PARTIES.

>> WE HAVE.

>> WE HAVE SOME IN ARIZONA.

TED: THE BILL CALLS FOR GREATER THINGS.

>> HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK YOU HAVE TO WORK.

WHO THE EXCEPTIONS ARE.

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE QUESTION OF REVERIFICATION.

PEOPLE ARE SAYING YOU CAN BE ON THIS A YEAR WITHOUT HAVING TO REVERIFY?

HOW DOES IT GET TALKED ABOUT WHEN WE'RE SITTING AROUND THE TABLE A YEAR FROM NOW?

WHO KNOWS.

TED: PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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