COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON: PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTS CONGRESS TO RESCIND OVER NINE BILLION DOLLARS IN ALREADY APPROVED FUNDING FOR PUBLIC MEDIA LIKE PBS.

ALSO TONIGHT: WE WILL HEAR ABOUT HOW A SMALL PROVISION IN THE NATIONAL BUDGET BILL COULD CAUSE BIG WAVES... AND, THE STATE SENATE TAKES A BREAK AS LAWMAKERS WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO COME UP WITH A NEW BUDGET PLAN.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE, NEXT, ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M STEVE GOLDSTEIN FILLING IN FOR TED SIMONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SENT TO CONGRESS A REQUEST TO CLAW BACK 9.4 BILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDS ALREADY APPROVED BY CONGRESS INCLUDING 1.1 BILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDS FOR THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, WHICH HELPS FUND PBS AND NPR.

THE RECISSION BILL WOULD CUT MONEY FROM USAID, WHICH PROVIDES FOREIGN AID.

OTHER FOREIGN AID SPENDING WOULD BE CUT AS WELL AND THE MONEY FOR NPR AND PBS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE 45 DAYS TO EITHER APPROVE THE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST OF IGNORE IT, IN WHICH CASE IT WOULD GO AWAY.

THE REQUEST CAN BE APPROVED WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE, AND HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON VOWED TO ACT QUICKLY ON THE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST, BUT IT MAY FACE MORE RESISTANCE IN THE SENATE.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS TOPIC COMING UP SHORTLY.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO IMMEDIATELY HALT DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN OF A MAN CHARGED IN THE FIREBOMBING ATTACK IN BOULDER, COLORADO SUNDAY.

THE JUDGE SAID THE ORDER WAS URGENTLY NEEDED TO ENSURE THE FAMILY'S RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED.

THE FAMILY OF SUSPECT, MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN, HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED IN THE ATTACK THAT INJURED 15 DEMONSTRATORS CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES IN GAZA.

SOLIMAN FACES HATE CRIME AND ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES.

ARIZONA REGULATORS HAVE SET NEW RULES FOR ASSISTED LIVING HOMES AFTER AN ARIZONA REPUBLIC INVESTIGATION LED TO A NEW LAW ON THE ISSUE.

UNDER THE NEW RULES, ASSISTED LIVING COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO INCREASE TRAINING AND SET UP MORE STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT MEASURES TO PROTECT THOSE WITH DEMENTIA.

THE NEW RULES GO INTO EFFECT NEXT MONTH, ALTHOUGH ONE STATE OFFICIAL SAID THEY WON'T DO FULL ENFORCEMENT RIGHT AWAY.

ALL HIKERS HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR AFTER SOME UNEXPECTED RAIN CAUSED FLOODING NEAR THE GRAND CANYON AT HAVASU CREEK.

A GROUP OF HIKERS WERE STRANDED AFTER UP TO FOUR INCHES OF RAIN FELL ON THE BASIN FEEDING THE CREEK.

THE PHOENIX SUNS HAVE A NEW COACH.

THEY HAVE HIRED CLEVELAND CAVALIERS ASSISTANT JORDAN OTT AFTER INTERVIEWING 15 CANDIDATES.

SOURCES SAY THE SUNS' DEVIN BOOKER WAS IN FAVOR OF THE HIRE.

OTT WILL BE THE FOURTH COACH FOR THE SUNS IN FOUR SEASONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP FORMALLY ASKED CONGRESS ON TUESDAY TO RESCIND OVER NINE BILLION DOLLARS IN ALREADY APPROVED FUNDING FOR FOREIGN AID AND THE CORPORATION OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THIS CHANGE WOULD AFFECT LOCAL PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN THE VALLEY INCLUDING ARIZONA PBS.

HERE TO TELL US MORE ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT IS SCOTT WOELFEL, GENERAL MANAGER AT ARIZONA PBS.

SCOTT, WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> NOW, THIS RESCISSION PART OF IT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD IN THE PAST ABOUT CUTTING BACK FUNDING FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, BUT RESCISSION, IN THIS FUNDING THAT STATIONS LIKE AZ PBS HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO SPEND ON PROJECTS.

>> IT WAS APPROVED AND ENACTED AND SIGNED INTO LAW EARLIER, SO THIS CLAWBACK IS SOMETHING THAT'S FAIRLY UNPRECEDENTED AND A BIG CHALLENGE FOR STATIONS.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS, FOR FOLKS WHO ARE PASSIONATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING FANS, EVERY TIME THERE'S A REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION TYPICALLY OR A MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, THIS ISSUE IS BROUGHT UP.

WE'LL SEE SHOULD TV GET FUNDING, TO GIVE MONEY TO PBS OR TDR?

>> STATIONS ARE BATTLING ON TWO FRONTS NOW BECAUSE THE ONGOING CONVERSATION ABOUT FUTURE FUNDING STILL EXIST.

WE'RE FUNDED FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, FUNDED TWO YEARS IN ADVANCE AND IN PART TO TAKE POLITICS OUT OF IT.

THE DISCUSSION THIS FALL WOULD ESSENTIALLY FOR THE FY28 AND 29 BUDGET.

SO THE MONEY THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT BEING CLAWED BACK IS FOR THE 26 AND 27 YEARS, THE $1.1 BILLION TOTAL.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT WHAT WE NEED MOVE FORWARD.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT MISPERCEPTIONS, FOR THOSE WHO FOCUS JUST ON POLITICAL COVERAGE, THEY MAY FIND SOMETHING TO HAVE DISPUTES WITH, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH MORE THAT PUBLIC BROADCASTING DOES, SERVING RULE COMMUNITIES, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> I'VE BEEN TO WASHINGTON AND TALKED TO OUR LEGISLATORS AND IN A LOT OF CASES IT'S NOT REALLY KNOWN.

TAKE EDUCATION FOR EXAMPLE, WITH VERY ABOUT 20% OF OUR STAFF THAT'S DEDICATED TO EDUCATION HERE.

THEY'RE REALLY NOT TOUCHING WHAT'S GOING ON THE AIR.

THIS IS ALL OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY AND ALL OVER THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN THE UNDERSERVED AREAS, WE'RE HELPING STUDENTS DIRECTLY WITH PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS, YOU KNOW.

IF YOU LOOK NATIONWIDE ABOUT, 50% OF STUDENTS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ORGANIZED PRESCHOOL.

THAT'S ALMOST 80% IN ARIZONA.

AND SO WE'RE STEPPING INTO THAT BREACH AND HELPING KIDS GET THAT HEAD START.

WE'RE ALSO HELPING TEACHERS WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO GET AHEAD, AND LESSON PLANS AND CLASSROOMS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE AT RISK WITH THIS FUNDING CUT.

>> IT'S A TREMENDOUS EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN HOPES OF GETTING MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALMOST AMBASSADORS IN THE COMMUNITY, RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE STATE, EMPLOYEES ALL OVER THE STATE, AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING IN SCHOOLS WITH TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS AND OF COURSE FAMILIES.

AN EXAMPLE IS WE HAVE SUMMER CAMPS THAT WE OPERATE THAT HELP KIDS WITH, YOU KNOW, EARLY LETTER RECOGNITION, WORD RECOGNITION, AGES 2 TO 5, THE THINGS THAT THEY WOULD BE CONCERNED WITH, AND WE SEE ASTONISHING RESULTS.

KIDS, YOU KNOW, GETTING 50% IMPROVEMENT, 100% IMPROVEMENT ON THOSE EARLY CHILDHOOD TASKS BECAUSE OF THE CAMPS THAT WE RUN.

THAT IS FUNDED THROUGH, IN PART, THE MONEY THAT WE GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO GO AWAY IF WE DON'T HAVE THESE FUNDS.

>> I COME BACK TO THE RURAL COMPONENT JUST TO SAY THAT IT'S NOT A CASE WHERE IF JUST THE BIG MARKETS SURVIVE, LET'S SAY A MARKET LIKE PHOENIX, IF ALL GOES WELL, WELL, MAYBE PHOENIX HAS ENOUGH PEOPLE HERE TO SUPPORT IT BUT YOU GO TO SMALLER COMMUNITIES AND IT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

BETWEEN US AND ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA IN TUCSON, WE COVER ABOUT -- ALMOST 100% OF THE STATE AND 80% FROM ARIZONA PBS ITSELF.

SO YOU'VE GOT A LARGE ORGANIZATION HERE THAT'S REACHING OUT TO THIS PART OF THE STATE BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE ARE STATES -- MICHIGAN HAS EIGHT PUBLIC MEDIA STATIONS IN IT.

THEY'RE A SMALL COMMUNITY THAT HAVE THEIR OWN STATIONS, THOSE ARE THE STATIONS THAT REALLY ARE AT RISK.

WE GET 10 TO 12% OF FEDERAL FUNDING IN SMALLER STATES, IT COULD BE 50 OR 60%.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT CONTENT FOR THIS PROGRAM AND MANY OTHERS.

PROGRAMS PRODUCED HERE SPECIFICALLY FOR COMMUNITY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THOSE.

>> YOU KNOW, THE PROGRAMMING THAT WE BROADCAST OUT, WHETHER WE'RE PRODUCING IT OURSELVES OR COMES FROM BBC, PBS, OR OTHER PLACES, THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW US MOST FOR AND THAT'S ALSO AT RISK.

I'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE PUBLIC MEDIA SYSTEM AND CONVERSATIONS ARE ALREADY HAPPENING BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A SURPRISE.

WHAT DO WE DO LESS OF TO WEATHER THIS STORM?

AND IT'S GONNA MEAN FEWER PROGRAMS WHETHER IT'S FEWER EPISODES OF POPULAR PROGRAMS OR SHOWS GOING AWAY COMPLETELY BECAUSE THE MONEY IS NOT THERE TO FUND THEM.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SORT THROUGH.

AND THE SAME IS TRUE WITH OUR LOCAL PRODUCTION.

>> VIEWERS WILL NOTICE THE QUALITY DIFFERENCE, RIGHT?

>> THEY WILL.

THEY'LL SEE MORE RERUNS, THEY'LL SEE FEWER SHOWS.

ON THE LOCAL FRONT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND, WE'RE TRYING TO DO MORE CONTENT THAT'S RELEVANT TO OUR VIEWERS, AND IT COMES TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO DO.

>> ONE THING THAT COMES TO MIND, AND THERE WAS AN ARGUMENT HOW MANY YEARS AGO, I CAN'T REMEMBER NOW, BUT PEOPLE SAID THERE ARE CABLE NETWORKS OR STREAMERS THAT TAKE CARE OF CERTAIN THINGS AND YET THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO CAN'T AFFORD HAVE THE STREAMERS.

>> AND THAT'S THE CONTINUING ARGUMENT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS IS DIFFERENT, THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING ACT IN 1967 IS -- MIGHT AS WELL BE CENTURIES AWAY.

TRUE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE PROVIDE ALL OF THESE SERVICES FOR FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT, I THINK IS OFTEN IGNORED IN THAT IDEA IS THAT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ON PBS IS ALL CREATED ABOUT I AND EMBEDDED BY EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS.

IT'S NOT CREATED BY AN ALGORITHM THAT SOME OF THE STREAMING SERVICES ARE USING AND SO IT REALLY IS EDUCATIONAL IN TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU, AT THIS POINT, IS IT -- YOU'RE IN SOME OF THESE MEETINGS.

WE HAVE A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

IS THERE REASON TO THINK THAT, THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR THREAT, THAT THERE ARE REALLY WAYS THROUGH IT OR ARE YOU ON PINS AND NEEDLES RIGHT NOW?

>> I LIKE MOST GMs ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE'RE ON PINS AND NEEDLES, AND I THINK THE GOOD NEWS, IF I CAN IMPART SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOU -- IS THAT THE PUBLIC MAY HAVE A BIG SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC WILL REALLY HELP TURN THIS, IF IT'S GOING TO TURN FOR US.

WE'VE BEEN ASKING OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS FOR SUPPORT FROM OUR PUBLIC.

AND WE'VE SEEN A GREAT RESPONSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ABOUT A HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE REACHED OUT TO LEGISLATORS THROUGH AN ORGANIZED PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE SET UP WITH OTHER STATIONS AND WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE NOW TO STEP UP AND DO EVEN MORE.

>> AS WE CLOSE, FINALLY, DO YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE MESSAGE AND SAYING, IS THERE A TIME WHERE -- HOW MANY OF US GET THINGS IN THE MAIL, OH, THEY'RE SAYING THEY NEED SOMETHING, BUT THIS IS REALLY -- ARE YOU FEELING THAT THERE'S MOMENTUM TO GET ASSISTANCE, AND HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THE PUBLIC TO REACT ROUTE NOW?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

I MEAN, WE WE DO NOT CRY WOLF AND YOU DON'T SEE SOLICITATION FROM US THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, GIVE US YOUR MONEY OR WE'RE GOING TO GO AWAY, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

BUT SOME OF WHAT WE DO CAN GO AWAY.

AND SO -- AND WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR MONEY.

WE'RE ASKING FOR COMMUNICATION, TO REACH OUT TO YOUR LEGISLATORS.

AND SO WE'VE GOT A GRAPHIC THAT WE'LL PUT UP ON THE SCREEN.

BUT PROTECT MY PUBLIC MEDIA IS THE NAME OF THE PROGRAM.

IT'S A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE PBS STATIONS AND MNPR AS WELL AND AN EASY WAY TO CONNECT WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE, AND WE'LL CONNECT YOU BOTH DIGITALLY FOR AN EMAIL AND AN AUTOMATED PHONE CALL THAT YOU CAN HAVE WITH YOU FOR YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE.

AND THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THEY PAY ATTENTION TO THAT, AND WE'VE SEEN A TREMENDOUS SURGE ALREADY AND WE WANT TO DRIVE IT HOME EVEN MORE.

SO I URGE THE AUDIENCE, IF YOU CALL TODAY OR TOMORROW AND YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH, CALL THE NEXT DAY, BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKING OUR POINT.

>> SCOTT, THANK YOU, AND GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE HAVE BEEN BIG WAVES IN THE NATIONAL BUDGET BILL CAUSED BY A SMALL PROVISION.

IT APPEARS THAT THE PROVISION IS THERE TO MAKE IT HARDER TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT IN CONTEMPT OF COURT.

TO DISCUSS MORE ON THIS TOPIC, WE WELCOME ROBERT MCWHIRTER CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT.

WELCOME BACK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> SO, WHAT DOES THIS AMOUNT TO?

IN ESSENCE IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT IS WRITTEN IN SOME SENSE TO BENEFIT THE ADMINISTRATION?

>> YES, THAT'S THE IDEA.

IT'S KIND OF A SLIGHT OF HAND.

THEY'RE NOT SAYING THAT WE'RE GONNA GET RID OF THE POWER TO DO NATION WIEWD INJUNCTIONS.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS CHANGING RULE 65C THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO POST A BOND BEFORE YOU GET THAT INJUNCTION FOR THE VALUE OF THE LOSS OF WHATEVER THE INJUNCTION CAUSES IF YOU END UP LOSING YOUR ASSETS FOR THE INJUNCTION.

SO IN ESSENCE IT WIPES IT OUT, BECAUSE WHO CAN AFFORD A BILLION DOLLAR BOND ON A TRADE ISSUE.

IF YOU'RE BRINGING THAT TO COURT AND ASKING FOR THE INJUNCTION I THINK THIS KIND OF THING COULD BE KNOCKED OUT JUST ON THAT BASES, BUT THAT'S THE GAME THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> I NEED TO ASK YOU A BASIC QUESTION.

YOU CAN REMIND VIEWERS WHAT DUE PROCESS IS AND WHY IT'S SO VITAL IN OUR CONSTITUTION?

>> DUE PROCESS IS THE PROCESS THAT ARE YOU DUE.

IT USED TO BE CALL THE LAW OF THE LAND IN THE MAGNA CARTA, AND IT SAYS EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPECT A PROCESS LIKE, OH, IF YOU'RE CHARGED WITH A CRIME, YOU'RE ADVISED WITH A CRIME.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO A LAWYER.

EVERYBODY HAS A RIGHT TO THAT INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION.

>>> SO WHAT DO YOU MAKE THIS STRATEGY, OF THIS APPROACH, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE KNOW THINGS ARE ALWAYS POLITICAL, AND IN A SENSE, TO PUT THIS INTO A BILL OR ATTEMPT TO AND HAVE SOMETHING RELATED TO THE CONSTITUTION IN A BUDGET BILL, IS THIS JUST POLITICAL STRATEGY?

>> IF IT IS, IT'S NOT A VERY GOOD STRATEGY BECAUSE EVERYBODY CATCHES IT.

AND NOW UNLESS OF COURSE THERE'S SOMETHING IN THAT BILL OF NOT CATCHING.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT.

IT'S MORE OF A LACK OF QUALITY ON THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL POSITIONS THAN ANYTHING THAT THE JUDGE TRYING TO QUASH FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> IF PRESIDENT TRUMP GOES OUT AND SIGNS IT, IS IT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE CHALLENGED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE POWER OF THE COURT IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

>> WE CANNOT PREDICT IN ANY WAY, WHAT THE SUPREME COURT -- >> WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT -- WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW, DO YOU THINK THE SENATE WILL ACT, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THIS BECOMES SO PUBLIC, WILL THE SENATE SAY, LET'S NOT MAKE ANY ANY MORE TROUBLE FOR OURSELVES BUT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RELATED TO BUDGET AND NOT US PROTECTING A PARTICULAR ADMINISTRATION.

>> I THINK SO, AND BECAUSE -- LOOK, THE HOUSE SENT IT OVER WITH THIS VERY CAREFUL COMPROMISE BETWEEN BASICALLY THE REPUBLICANS TO APPEASE THE MEMBERS THAT WANTED MORE DEFICIT HAWKS.

THIS IS A THROW-AWAY, NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET.

I THINK THAT THEY CAN GET RID OF THIS WITHOUT OFFENDING THIS DELICATE BALANCE THAT THEY HAVE, IF THEY CAN GET THAT BALANCE TOGETHER.

>> AS WE WRAP UP HERE, BRIEFLY, WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS GENERATED ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS, ARE YOU THINKING, OKAY, AS YOU SAID, IT'S A LITTLE AWKWARD, NOT THE BEST APPROACH, BUT IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOES ADVANCED, DOES IT GIVE FUTURE ADMINISTRATION THE IDEA, WE CAN TRY THIS TOO AND LET'S TEST THE SUPREME COURT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WHAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM IS THIS IS JUST PART OF AN ATTACK ON THE COURTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT THE COURTS ARE RULING.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION -- WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF POWER, YOU ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT, AND THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT JOE BIDEN THE SAME WAY.

SO SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE AND SAUCE FOR THE GANDER IN THESE THINGS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> OKAY, ROBERT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

ARIZONA HAS LESS THAN FORTY DAYS TO COMPLETE A STATE BUDGET BEFORE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS TAKEN A TWO-WEEK BREAK.

REASONS FOR THE BUDGET DELAY INCLUDE UNCERTAINTY OVER STATE TAX REVENUE AND THE EXTENSION OF PROPOSITION 123.

WITH MORE INFORMATION, WE'RE JOINED BY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR T.J. SHOPE FROM DISTRICT 16.

THE WELCOME BACK.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY TO THEMSELVES, ARE WE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL JUNE 30th?

IS THERE PROGRESS BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> ABSOLUTELY, I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF MISCONCEPTION BESIDE WHAT A BREAK ACTUALLY IS -- RATHER THAN HAVING MEMBERS DRIVE IN SIX HOURS OR FIVE HOURS FROM SIERRA VISTA TO JUST COME IN, DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PRAY AND ADJOURN FOR THE DAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND LET THEM STAY HOME SO THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IN THE BUDGET AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE HOUSE AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> NOW, IS IT DIFFICULT, DO YOU GET CALLS FROM YOUR CAUCUS SAYING HEY I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> >> THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, WITH VERY A VERY OPEN AND CANDID CONVERSATIONS QUITE OFTEN WHEN WE GET TOGETHER FOR LUNCH ON A WEEKLY BASIS TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS.

SO THEY REALLY ARE VERY FEW SURPRISES AMONG US, AND THERE ARE NO SECRETS WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE BUILDING OR AS SOON AS YOU WALK OUT OF THE BUILDING.

EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON, WHAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARD, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GET 16, HOPEFULLY EVEN MORE THAN THAT, HOPEFULLY AS WE'VE SEEN THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE HAD OVER 20 VOTES IN THE SENATE AND OVER 40 VOTES FOR BUDGETS IN THE HOUSE.

>> ARE THERE DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES?

IS THERE AN ISSUE THAT IS A LITTLE BIT STILL -- SENATE DISAGREES A BIT WITH THE HOUSE?

>> I THINK IT'S BROADER THAN THAT.

ARE THERE PROBABLY ISSUES THAT WE DISAGREE WITH ON LINE BY LINE BASIS?

ABSOLUTELY.

HOWEVER, I THINK THE APPROACHES HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THE SENATE AS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THEY'VE REALLY TAKEN TO A MEMBER-DRIVEN CONCEPT WHERE MEMBERS COME IN WITH THEIR PRIORITIES AND THE LEADERSHIP FLOWS FROM A BOTTOM-UP, IF YOU WILL, FROM THE BACK BENCH TO THE LEADERSHIP TEAM, WHEREAS I THINK THE HOUSE HAS SOUGHT TO MAYBE RETURN TO A -- MORE OF A LEADERSHIP-DRIVEN BUDGET, WHICH IS THEIR PREROGATIVE.

I USED TO BE IN THE HOUSE FOR EIGHT YEARS.

I WOULDN'T HAVE WANTED THE SENATE TELLING ME WHAT TO DO, AND SO TO APPROACH THIS, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

IT IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE CONCEPT OF HOW WE BUDGET.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE COME TOGETHER AND APPROACH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WEEK, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WHITE SMOKE OF THE BUDGET BEING HATCHED IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.

>> OKAY.

IS THERE -- AS I MENTIONED IN THE INTRODUCTION -- NOT NECESSARILY AN AGREEMENT ON STATE REVENUES, FOR SOME IT'S A SURPLUS AND FOR OTHERS THERE'S A DEFICIT, ALSO FOR PROPOSITION 123, ARE THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE HOLDING UP THE BUDGET OR JUST IMPACTING THINGS.

>> I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO WORRY ABOUT ON PRO 123, EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT UP NEXT YEAR, THOSE DOLLARS ARE ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR IN A BUT THAT WAS BUILT LAST SESSION.

SO THE 300-ISH MILLION DOLLARS, ONE OF THE REASONS CONTRACT STATE BUDGET OVERALL WILL BE LARGER THAN LAST YEAR'S IS BECAUSE OF THE DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING INTO BACKFILL 123.

WE HAD THAT IN MIND.

WE'LL PICK THAT UP NEXT SESSION, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE'LL GET THIS THING DONE IN THE NEXT WEEK TO 10 DAYS.

>> SO YOU'RE OPTIMISTIC, AND WE LOVE HEARING THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNOR'S RELATIONSHIP HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN GREAT WITH -- >> I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 13 YEARS, SERVED THREE DIFFERENT GOVERNORS.

THE GOVERNOR'S REVENUE PROJECTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION IS ALWAYS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE LEGISLATURE'S REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE.

WHETHER IT'S REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, WE TRADITIONALLY HAVE TAKEN A MORE CONSERVATIVE ANGLE ON WHAT THE REVENUE LOOKS LIKE GOING FORWARD AND WE ACTUALLY CRAFT THE BUDGET OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS, LOOKING AHEAD IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME, RIGHT.

SO I GET IT.

THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS.

WE COME TOGETHER AT THE END EVERY TIME AND GET IT FIGURED OUT AND GO AND LAY THE ARMS DOWN AND READY FOR THE FIGHT THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

>> WE ARE NOT TECHNICALLY IN AN ELECTION YEAR RIGHT NOW.

>> ARE WE NOT?

I DON'T KNOW.

THERE'S RALLIES OVER THE WEEKEND AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> BUT ARE THERE ISSUES THAT PERHAPS THERE'S BEEN MAJOR DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO PARTIES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS VETOED SOMETHING?

ARE THERE ISSUES THAT COME TO MIND FOR YOU THAT MAY IN FACT COME UP LATER IN THE SENATE.

>> IT WOULDN'T BE ARIZONA IF WE WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

AND I KNOW YOU DISCUSSED SOME OF THAT IN THE PREVIOUS SEGMENT.

THOSE THINGS ARE WHAT WE HAVE CONSIDERED BASED ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE VOTERS OF ARIZONA, I THINK THEY'RE MORE ALIGNED WHERE WE ARE AND THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, PUSHING THAT ISSUE.

SO, YES, WE'VE DEFINITELY TRIED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THOSE DIFFERENCES WITH THE GOVERNOR.

PART OF IT IS WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE'S A REASON WHY WE'RE HERE AND WE EXPANDED OUR MAJORITIES OVER THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE, AND, SURE, THERE'S AN ELECTION COMING UP IN ANOTHER YEAR.

SO I THINK BOTH SIDES OF US TRY TO GO AHEAD AND HYLE THOSE DIFFERENCES WHEREAS WE FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC IS BEHIND US.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU'VE SEEN SOME OF THE BILLS THAT WE SENT UP, YEAH, THEY'VE GOTTEN VETOED, WE WISH THEY'VE BEEN SIGNED HOWEVER, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY GOT VETOED AS WELL, BECAUSE IT HELPS FIRE UP OUR BASE, RIGHT.

>> WELL, YOU ARE AN INSIDER, SO I'LL TRUST YOU ON THE WEEK TO 10 DAYS, NOT WAIT TILL JUNE 30th.

>> WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT WAITING UNTIL JUNE 30th.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M STEVE GOLDSTEIN IN FOR TED SIMONS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

- Hello, I'm Alice Ferris, and we hope you enjoyed "Arizona Horizon."

For more than 40 years, >> HELLO, I'M ALICE FERRIS AND WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED ARIZONA HORIZON.

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