Former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the University of California against the Trump administration over its decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Napolitano, who helped craft DACA when she was secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, joins 16 states who have also filed legal action against the Trump’s announcement decision on DACA. According to Associated Press reporter Bob Christie, the states that filed a suit against Trump allege the decision was a result of racial bias.
Arizona Capitol Times reporter Jeremy Duda told Arizona Horizon that DACA might not be brought to an end, thanks to a bipartisan effort in Congress. “I think there’s enough Republicans who support this,” Duda said.
Ted Simons: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA ROUNDTABLE, FORMER ARIZONA
Ted Simons: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON'S JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, FORMER ARIZONA GOVERNOR AND HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR JANET NAPOLITANO SUES PRESIDENT TRUMP OVER DACA. AND ARIZONA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL SUES THE STATE BOARD OF REGENTS OVER UNIVERSITY TUITION RATES. THOSE STORIES AND MORE, NEXT, ON THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE. "ARIZONA HORIZON" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FRIENDS OF ARIZONA PBS. THANK YOU.
Ted Simons: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON'S JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, I'M TED SIMONS. JOINING US TONIGHT, ASTRID GALVAN OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, BOB CHRISTIE ALSO OF THE A-P, AND JEREMY DUDA OF THE ARIZONA CAPITOL TIMES. FORMER ARIZONA GOVERNOR AND HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF JANET NAPOLITANO FILED A LASWUIT TODAY AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP, THIS TO SAVE DACA, THE DEPORTATION PROGRAM THAT SHE CREATED. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
Astrid Galvan: ONE OF THREE LAWSUITS NOW. THE BIGGER ONE FILED YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE BY 16 DIFFERENT STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND ANOTHER BY AN IMMIGRANT. THE LEGAL ARGUMENT IS MURKY. IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT STANDING THE LAWSUITS HAVE, BUT IT'S YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO SAVE THIS PROGRAM.
Ted Simons: I THINK SHE'S BASICALLY SAYING THERE WASN'T DUE PROCESS, TOO QUICK OF A TURN. IT'S AFFECTING HER STUDENT.
Bob Christie: AND SHE SAYS IT WILL AFFECT EMPLOYEES. THERE ARE 5,000 DACA STUDENTS GOING TO UC CAMPUSES UPPER LEVEL, TWO UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS THERE. THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND UC. SHE RUNS UC, THE BIG KAHUNA. IT'S GOING TO HURT NOT ONLY THE STUDENTS, BUT THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ITSELF. THE 15 STATES THAT SUED YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE, THEY ARE ALLEGING THAT THE DECISION WAS MADE AS PART OF RACIAL BIAS, A PREJUDICE AGAINST RACIAL MINORITIES THAT PROMPTED TRUMP TO DO THIS. THERE IS NOT MUCH EVIDENCE OF THAT. WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THESE LAWSUITS MAKE IT ANYWHERE. WHAT THEY'LL DO IS MUCK UP THE SYSTEM.
Ted Simons: THE ONE FROM NEPALITANO IS INTERESTING THOUGH BECAUSE IT DOES AFFECT THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, IT DOES STUDENTS AFFECT THOSE STUDENTS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITIES.
Jeremy Duda: I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MAKES HER LEGAL ARGUMENT BETTER. IT AFFECTS HER UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. IT AFFECTS A LOT OF FOLKS. I DON'T KNOW THAT AS HAS BEEN SAID, IT'S MURKY WHAT THE LEGAL GROUNDS ARE HERE. IT SEEMS LIKE A BIZARRE LEGAL ARGUMENT TO SAY IF OBAMA MAKES THIS LAW IT CAN NEVER BE REPEALED.
Ted Simons: IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE LEFT OUT IN THE LURCH AND HARMS THEM.
Astrid Galvan: ONE OUT OF FOUR DACA RECIPIENTS LIVE IN CALIFORNIA. A HUGE POPULATION OF THE PROGRAM IS THERE.
Ted Simons: WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS, REACTION IN GENERAL IN ARIZONA.
Astrid Galvan: IT DEPENDS ON THE SIDE. A LOT OF ANGER AND SADNESS ON THE PART OF IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ARPAIO PARDON FROM A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IT FELT LIKE A LOT. WE HAVE LAWMAKERS HERE THAT SUPPORTED IT. ANDY BIGGS DID, AND STATEWIDE, IT VARIED, BUT GENERALLY THE POPULATION WAS MORE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THE PROGRAM.
Ted Simons: POLITICAL FALLOUT?
Bob Christie: IT WILL MOTIVATE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS TO GET OUT TO VOTE AND INDEPENDENTS AS WELL. IF THEY BELIEVE THERE IS A BIAS FROM THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION, THAT MAY MOTIVATE THEM TO COME OUT TO VOTE. THAT AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WILL GEAR UP THE LEFT. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE THOSE ON THE RIGHT SAYING RIGHT ON. IT'S WHAT WE NEEDED DONE. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DID WAS ILLEGAL. THEN YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE LIKE MCCAIN AND FLICK SUPPORTING COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM BUT NOT THE OBAMA ACTION THEY SAY GREAT, THIS ALLOWS US A CHANCE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Ted Simons: CAN THIS BE A TRUE BI-PARTISAN EFFORT. COULD THIS BE THE THING THAT GETS EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON WORK TOGETHER? IS THIS A BI-PARTISAN ISSUE?
Jeremy Duda: IN A LOT OF WAYS, IT'S SHAPING UP TO BE. NOT EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY. THERE ARE PLENTY OF REPUBLICANS NOT SUPPORTING ENSHRINING THIS IN LAW, BUT WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO CAME OUT TO SUPPORT US. YOU KNOW MCCAIN AND FLAKE, MARTHA MCSALLY DOWN IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THERE ARE ENOUGH REPUBLICANS THAT SUPPORT THIS. MCSALLY SENT A LETTER TO SPEAKER RYAN SAYING WE NEED TO GET THIS DONE AS THE NEWS FILTERED OUT THAT TRUMP WAS PREPARING TO DO THIS/ WHETHER IT HAPPENS, A LOT OF THINGS CAN GO WRONG FOR SUPPORTERS, BUT THERE IS ENOUGH SUPPORT TO PASS THIS IF IT GOES UP FOR A VOTE.
Ted Simons: LET'S MOVE ON HERE, ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK BRNOVICH SUES THE BOARD OF REGENTS. A LOT OF FOLKS EXPECTING A LAWSUIT REGARDING INSTATE STATUS FOR DREAMERS AND THAT HAS BEEN DONE. BUT, THIS LAWSUIT PRIMARILY TALKS ABOUT TUITION HYPE AT UNIVERSITIES.
Astrid Galvan: THERE HAS BEEN TUITION HIKES YEARLY FOR A LONG TIME. IT COINCIDES WITH A DEEP CUT IN STATE FUNDING. BOB DID RESEARCH AND HOW THAT COMPARES TO INFLATION.
Bob Christie: YEAH IT’S QUITE INTERESTING, WHAT THE ATTORNEY SAYS IN A LAWSUIT IS THAT THE RATE OF INCREASES IN TUITION FAR EXCEEDS INFLATION AND THAT’S BASICALLY WHAT IT IS. IT DOESN’T MEET THE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE THAT SAYS TUITION SHOULD BE CLOSE TO FREE AS POSSIBLE. 2008 THE PER STUDENT FUNDING FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE PER STUDENT WAS $9,500, RIGHT NOW IT IS $3,500. TOTAL TUITION AND STATE AID $17,000 PER STUDENT IN 2008. NOW $16,000. THEY HAVE LOWERED THE COST OF EDUCATING. THIS IS FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE'S ANALYSIS. IN THE MEANTIME, THE TOTAL UNIVERSITY HAS GONE UP TO 110-166 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERES LIES AND LIES AND STATISTICS, AND WHETHER THEY CHERRY PICKED NUMBERS AND IF THE REGENTS WILL STAND UP TO SAY WE HAVE TO WAIT TO GET TO COURT.
Ted Simons: SOUNDS LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SAYING FUNDING IS CUT TO THE UNIVERSITY’S BUT TUITION HIKES ARE INCREASED AT A HIGHER RATE. THE NUMBERS, YOU CAN LOOK AT THEM ALL THE WAY AROUND. WHY THIS WHY NOW?
Jeremy Duda: HE'S PACKAGING IT WITH A SECOND LAWSUIT, TUITION FOR DACA RECIPIENTS WHICH THE BOARD OF REGENTS SAID THEY WOULD GET THE IN STATE TUITION RATE ON THE HEELS OF A LAWSUIT FROM THE MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM. HE WAS COMPELLED BY FORMER SENATOR RUSSELL PEARCE SAYING HE WOULD SUE IF THE STATE DIDN'T. THE DEADLINE, I BELIEVE, IS TOMORROW. BRNOVICH HAD TO MOVE FORWARD TO THIS LAWSUIT TODAY BUT THIS PROMPTED HIM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TUITION CHALLENGE. BRNOVICH IS GOING TO RUN INTO A BIG PROBLEM ON THE TUITION PROBLEM BECAUSE JARRING AS THE NUMBERS ARE, IT'S BEEN LITIGATED BY THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT BEFORE.
Ted Simons: THEY SAID, I FORGET WHEN IT WAS. EARLY 2000’S SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE. THIS IS A POLITICAL QUESTION AND IT SHOULD BE LEFT TO POLITICS.
Bob Christie: CORRECT. WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE FUNDS AT THE PROPER LEVEL TO MAKE TUITION FREE, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FREE, THE SUPREME COURT SAID. SO THAT MEANS IT’S A POLITICAL ISSUE TO HOW MUCH IT SHOULD COST INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES. THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND SAYING ONE OF THE REASONS THEY WANT TO KEEP DACA IN STATE TUITION BECAUSE THEY SAY OUR JOB IS TO ALLOW AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITY EDUATION IN THE STATE. OF COURSE THAT ALLOWED BRNOVICH TO PIGGY BACK IN. IT’S QUITE INTERESTING WHY HE DID THIS. WHAT HE SAID IS, THEY WERE SAYING THEY WERE TRYING TO KEEP UNIVERSITY AFFORDABLE, BUT THAT’S NOT THEIR MISSION. ONE QUESTION IS WHETHER AFTER 3 YEARS IN OFFICE SUDDENLY WHY UNIVERSITY TUITION ROSE UP TO THE LEVEL WHERE HE FEELS THE NEED TO SUE FOR.
Ted Simons: WE HAD BOTH BOARD OF REGENTS, PRESIDENT EILEEN KLEIN AND ATTORNEY GENERAL BRNOVICH ON THE PROGRAM LASTNIGHT, DIFFERENT SEGMENTS. OBVIOUSLY WE WERENT AWARE THAT HE WAS GOING TO FILE THIS PARTICULAR LAWSUIT BUT THERE WAS SOME CONCERN AND SOME TALK THAT HE WAS GOING TO FILE ASUIT REGARDING INSTATE TUITION FOR DACA RECEIPIENTS. I ASKED EILEEN KLEIN ABOUT THAT, SHE SAYS BASICALLY THE BAORD OF REGENTS IS WAITING FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO ACT AND THAT IN ITSELF IS FOLLOWING THE LAW. CHECK IT OUT.
Eileen Klein: WE ARE ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF STUDENTS, WITHIN THE LAW, ABIDING BY A LONG STANDING PRACTICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ALL CASES WEIGHED FOR A FINAL POLICY DISPOSITION UPON THE FINAL WORD OF THE SUPREME COURT. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WAITING FOR.
Ted Simons: THAT'S WHAT SHE'S WAITING FOR. WHAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT WAITING ANYMORE. HE FILED SUIT. IS THAT A SURPRISE?
Astrid Galvan: NOT AT ALL. RUSSELL PEARCE INFLICTED DEADLINE SO MOST PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING HIM TO RESPOND.
Ted Simons: DO YOU THINK THE TUITION HIKE WAS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE HE WASN'T DOING RUSSELL'S BIDDING?
Astrid Galvan: I DON'T KNOW, IF IT WAS OR NOT BUT ITS NOT COINCIDENTAL.
Ted Simons: WE ASKED BRNOVICH IF HE WAS DOING THIS BECAUSE OF PRESSURE FROM RUSSELL PEARCE. HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.
Ted Simons: HE SAID HE WOULD FILE IF YOU DON'T FILE BY TOMORROW.
Mark Brnovich: WHO?
Ted Simons: RUSSELL PEARCE?
WHO'S THAT? MY NORTH STAR, AND I SAID THIS WHEN I WAS RUNNING, WILL BE THE LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION. WE DON'T TAKE MARCHING ORDERS FROM ANYONE. WE DO WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES US TO DO AND WHAT'S BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA.
Ted Simons: DID HE HAVE A CHOICE IN THIS?
Bob Christie: NO. WHEN HE SAYS I DON'T TAKE MARCHING ORDERS, HE ACTED TODAY BECAUSE HE HAD TO. HE EITHER HAD TO OR RUSSELL PEARCE WAS GOING TO SUE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AND GET HIS ATTORNEY FEES PAID IF HE WON, BRNOVICH THINKS IT'S LIKELY OR HE WOULD HAVE JUMPED IN. THERE IS POLITICS GOING ON WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HERE. BOTTOM LINE, HE HAD TO ACT BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND BY RUSSELL PEARCE.
Ted Simons: YOU HAD THE LOWER COURT SAYING IT WAS OKAY TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE DREAMER'S LEGAL STATUS GIVING THEM INSTATE TUITION. APPEAL'S COURT SAYS THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT ALL. WHO WINS THIS THING?
Jeremy Duda: IT WAS A TOSS UP A FEW DAYS AGO, BUT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ORDER ON DACA, THIS COULD BE A GAME CHANGER. THE RATIONAL, THEY HAVE LEGAL STATUS NOW. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY AND GET WORK PERMITS, THAT'S GOING AWAY NOW. THERE IS A TIMETABLE ON THAT TOO. LEGALLY, THIS IS A MESS.
Ted Simons: IT COULD BE MOOT, COULDN'T IT?
Astrid Galvan: WELL YEAH, BUT THE ASPECT OF THE DACA BEING LEGAL STATUS, USCIS HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT IT'S NOT LEGAL STATUS. IT'S A TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT. LEGALLY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD SAY BUT EVEN THE CREATORS OF DACA WOULD SAY THEY DON'T HAVE LEGAL STATUS.
Bob Christie: THAT S WHAT THE APPEALS COURT SAID WHEN THEY SAID NO, THEY DON’T HAVE LEGAL STATUS THEY DON’T QUALIFY FOR IN STATE TUITION AND PROPOSITION 300 SAYS IF YOU ARE NOT LEGALLY A RESIDENT OF ARIZONA, YOU CAN'T GET STATE BENEFITS. THAT APPLIES HERE.
Ted Simons: WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES. THE PUBLIC VOTE ON VOUCHER EXPANSION, GETTING OUT SIGNATURES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOT SUMMER, IT WORKED.
Jeremy Duda: IT'S SOMETHING A LOT OF US AT THE BEGINNING SAID NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. YOU CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT FUNDING, WITH VOLUNTEERS ONLY. THEY DID IT WITH FLYING COLORS. WE ARE WAITING FOR MARICOPA COUNTY, 2/3 OR MORE ARE FROM. 86.6% OF THE SIGNATURES WERE VALID. THAT GIVES THEM ALMOST 20,000 MORE TO GET TO THE BALLOT. THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD. THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGAL SAGAS AND COURT HEARINGS TO GO BEFORE THIS GETS ON THE BALLOT.
Ted Simons: YOU HAVE THE LEGISLATURE THAT SAYS YOU DON'T LIKE IT? YOU CAN TAKE IT OFF SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR BILL TURNED DOWN BY THE VOTERS.
Astrid Galvan: AND BRING IT BACK ANOTHER TIME.
Ted Simons: CAN THEY DO THE REPEAL AND REPLACE WITH SOMETHING ELSE, GOING BACK OUT THERE FOR THOSE FOLKS?
Astrid Galvan: I THINK SO.
Bob Christie: IT'S ON THE TABLE. THAT'S WHAT THEY DID LAST TIME WITH THE REFERENDUM. IN 2013, IT WAS RAMMED THROUGH, AND IT DID A LOT OF THINGS VOTER SUPPRESSION. REPUBLICANS SAID WE ARE TRYING TO CLEAN UP STUFF. THEY GOT 180,000 SIGNATURES. BOOM. THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEXT YEAR, THEY DON'T WANT THAT ON THE BALLOT FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. ONE, THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD LOSE. TWO, IT'S VOTER PROTECTED. LEGISLATURE SAID YOU CAN'T MESS WITH IT. THREE, IT'S JUST BAD. THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH VOUCHERS. DOUG DUCEY DOESN'T WANT IT AND THEY DON'T WANT IT VOTER PROTECTED.
Jeremy Duda: THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER FACTORS. IF THEY REPEAL, NO GUARANTEE THEY CAN GET IT BACK. ONE VOTE IN THE SENATE. DRAGGED BOB WORSELY KICKING AND SCREAMING BECAUSE OF THE CAP ON EXPANDING ONLY TO HAVE THE GOLD WATER INSTITUTE SAY WE ARE GETTING RID OF THAT. HE HAD EGG ON HIS FACE. THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE ANOTHER VOTE. YOU REPEAL THIS, NO GUARANTEE. PLUS FOR SCHOOL ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WERE HAILING THIS MOVE. THEY WOULD LOSE A LOT OF FACE IN THE REPEAL OF THAT. IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT TO GET PASSED AT THE BALLOT. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING TO DIE ON AT THIS POINT.
Ted Simons: YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS. YOU REPEAL IT. EGG ON CERTAIN FACES. YOU REPEAL AND REPLACE WHICH I IMAGINE WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DO BECAUSE IT WAS A CLOSE VOTE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND HERE'S AN IDEA, LET PEOPLE VOTE ON IT. IT'S THERE FOR GOOD.
Astrid Galvan: IT'S A CLASSIC ARIZONA THING, RIGHT? YOU WANT LEGISLATURE TO DO IT, BUT THEY DON’T WANT THE VOTERS TO DO IT. IT'S A MIX.
Ted Simons: DO YOU THINK REPEAL AND REPLACE IS MOST LIKELY? THAT WOULD BE A NERVY MOVE.
Astrid Galvan: I DON'T KNOW. I HEAR WHAT JEREMY SAYS.
Ted Simons: THREE OPTIONS, WHICH IS MOST LIKELY?
Bob Christie: I THINK IT WILL BE REPEALED. DOUG DUCEY DOESN'T WANT SOMETHING THAT WILL DRIVE OUT PEOPLE ANGRY WITH HIM FOR SIGNING THE BILL IN A NON-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR. HE'S UP FOR REELECTION. HE DOESN'T WANT SCHOOL TEACHERS RUNNING AROUND SAYING LOOK WHAT DOUG DUCEY DID TO US. SCHOOL, FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS ARE THREE GROUPS YOU DON'T WANT UPSET WITH YOU.
Jeremy Duda: BY THE TIME THEY COME BACK IN THE LEGISLATURE, THERE WILL BE DRAWN OUT CHALLENGES. RIGHT BEFORE THE BALLOTS ARE PRINTED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF TIME ON THEIR HANDS. YOU MIGHT SEE THE COURT CHALLENGE ON STRICT COMPLIANCE DRAGGING ON TO THE POINT IT MIGHT BE A WHILE SO THEY KNOW WHETHER THEY NEED TO REPEAL.
Ted Simons: THE STRICT COMPLIANCE THROWS A MONKEY WRENCH INTO A LOT OF THINGS. WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT. YOU MENTIONED CONGRESSMAN BIGGS NOT HAPPY WITH DACA. HE'S NOT HAPPY WITH HURRICANE RELIEF EITHER. TALK TO US ABOUT IT?
Astrid Galvan: ONE OF THREE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT VOTED AGAINST THE RELIEF PACKAGE. THE MAN HAS HIS PRINCIPLES. HE'S AGAINST THINGS HE DOESN'T AGREE WITH. HE TALKED ABOUT OUTSIDE MONEY COMING IN. HE'S STICKING TO HIS GUNS.
Ted Simons: 419-3 AGAINST HURRICANE RELIEF BECAUSE -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. NOT AS THOUGH, PUT IT ON THERE LAST SECOND. ITS BECAUSE THAT WAS THERE. IT WAS THE EASIEST THING TO TACK HURRICANE RELIEF OUT THERE TO GET THE MONEY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Bob Christie: RIGHT, YOU CAN'T WHOLE CLOTH COME UP WITH A NEW LAW. YOU HAVE TO TAKE SOMETHING GOING THROUGH THE PIPELINE AND TACK IT ON WHICH IS WHAT THEY DID IN THE HOUSE AND THEN THEY SEND IT TO THE SENATE. THE SENTATE SAYS WERE GONNA THEY HAD THE DEAL WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WHICH SHOCKED EVERYBODY AND THE PRESIDENT AND FLAKE AND MCCAIN VOTED AGAINST IT. MCCAIN IS FURIOUS WE ARE NOT GOING THROUGH REGULAR ORDER AND DOESN'T WANT A CONTINUING RESOLUTION WHICH IS GOING TO DRAG OUT THE BUDGET NEGOTIATION. HE WANTS A REGULAR BUDGET, MORE FUNDING FOR THE MILITARY. JEFF BLAKE SAYS IT'S HORRIBLE, $15 BILLION IN SPENDING. IT'S NOT WHAT A CONSERVATIVE DOES. A CONSERVATIVE SHRINKS GOVERNMENT AND THERE IS NO OFFSET.
Ted Simons: BIGGS WASN'T ALONE IN HURRICANE RELIEF?
Bob Christie: NO. BUT IT WASN’T ALONE IN THE WAY IT WAS DONE, BIG'S VOTE CAME BEFORE. WE LOST OUR TWO SENATORS ON 15 BILLION DOLLARS HURRICANE RELIEF AS WELL SHOWS YOU THAT NOBODY LIKES THIS -- WELL, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING ARIZONA LAWMAKERS DON'T LIKE THIS STUFF RAMMED THROUGH LAST SECOND.
Jeremy Duda: AND THE VOTE WITH BIGGS, HE HAD A PROPENSITY FOR DOING SUCH THINGS. IF EVERY REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE VOTED ONE WAY, VOTED YES. AND ONLY ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED NO THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE ONE REPUBLICAN WAS ANDY BIGGS. LOOKS LIKE HE'S CARRYING IN CONGRESS AS WELL.
Ted Simons: IS THIS WHAT HIS CONSTITUENTS WANT?
Jeremy Duda: SPENDING HE DOESN'T LIKE. FOREIGN COUNTRIES, FOREIGN AID PROGRAMS. HE'S IN A COMFORT DISTRICT NOT HIT BY A HURRICANE RIGHT NOW. I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'LL HOLD THAT AGAINST HIM.
Ted Simons: 419-3. THREE.
Jeremy Duda: PRETTY JARRING NUMBERS.
Ted Simons: YES, THEY ARE. JEFF DEWITT, STATE TREASURER. TOM, CORPORATION COMMISSIONER, WOULD LIKE TO BE THE NEXT STATE TREASURER. THEY ARE NOT BUDDIES, ARE THEY?
Astrid Galvan: I THINK DEWITT WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE TO BE THE STATE TREASURER BASED ON EVENTS.
Ted Simons: WHAT HAPPENED? TELL US.
Astrid Galvan: HE CAME AN AWARD TO STATE SENATOR KIMBERLY YATES, MADE A PRESS EVENT OUT OF IT AND WENT ON TWITTER TO MAKE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THE COMMISSIONER.
Ted Simons: NEGATIVE COMMENTS INCLUDING A VERY TRUMPIAN SORT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUFF.
Bob Christie: KIMBERLY IS NOT OFFICIALLY RUNNING. I'M THE MAJORITY LEADER. DEWITT SAYS BUT SHE WOULD MAKE A GREAT TREASURER. I MIGHT BACK HER. MR. FA REECE, I WOULDN'T TRUST HIM WITH A DOLLAR OF THE STATES MONEY. SECOND HE CALLED HIM SLEAZY. A LITTLE REPUBLICAN FIGHT GOING ON THAT IT WAS JUST QUITE FUNNY TO WATCH IF IT WASN'T QUITE SO --
Ted Simons: WELL, SLEAZY FARIZY. THAT'S NOT HOW YOU PRONOUNCE HIS NAME. WHERE DOES THIS COME FROM?
Jeremy Duda: I SPOKE WITH TOM. HE SAID HE'S ANGRY BECAUSE HE WANTED ME TO ASK PERMISSION TO RUN FOR TREASURER. NOW REMEMBER FRUIS ANNOUNCED HIS CAMPAIGN AFTER DEWITTS SAID IM NOT GOING TO SEEK RE ELECTION. HE SAID DEWIT WANTED TO ASK ME I WOULDN'T KISS THE RING, HIS EXACT WORDS. NOW HE'S UPSET WITH ME. HE IS BACKING KIMBERLY. HE'S RUMORED TO BE READY TO GET READY FOR TREASURER HERE. I THINK WE CAN CALL THE KIMYE FOR STATE TREASURER AWARD.
Ted Simons: I THINK HE SAID IT WAS A RACIST PLAY.
Jeremy Duda: SAID IT WAS AN ITALIAN SLUR. ANTI-ITALIAN PLAY ON HIS NAME. I INTERPRETED IT AS INTENTIONALLY MISPRONOUNCING THE NAME TO MESS WITH HIM OR FINDING SOMETHING THAT RHYMES.
Bob Christie: IF YOU ARE TOM, YOU DON'T HAVE TO MANUFACTURE SOMETHING THAT SAYS IT'S RACIST. WHY IS A FELLOW REPUBLICAN USING KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL YARD DEROGATORY TERMS ABOUT SOMEBODY.
Ted Simons: YOU ASK THAT QUESTION AND WE LOOK TOWARD THE WHITE HOUSE AND THIS IS KIND OF HOW THINGS ARE DONE THESE DAYS.
Astrid Galvan: JEFF DEWITT HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE WHITE HOUSE. THEY ARE BUDDIES.
Ted Simons: HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR TREASURER AGAIN. WHAT IS JEFF DEWITT'S FUTURE?
Astrid Galvan: THAT, I CANNOT TELL YOU.
Ted Simons: IS THERE ANY INDICATION WHAT HE'S INTERESTED IN? TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?
Astrid Galvan: THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT. IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN.
Jeremy Duda: FERES INSISTED THAT HE WILL TAKE A JOB FROM NASA, I HAVE HEARD. DEWITT WON'T COMMENT ON IF THAT'S THE CASE.
Bob Christie: SUPPOSEDLY GRAHAM AND DEWITT ARE LOBBIED BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO RUN. GRAHAM IS OPEN ABOUT IT. DEWITT IS CLOSED MOUTH AS YOU CAN GET. HE HAS IT IN AT THE WHITE HOUSE. IF THE PRESIDENT WANTS HIM TO RUN, HE HAS THE PRESIDENT'S BACKING. IF HE GETS ANOTHER JOB, HE WILL HAVE THE PRESIDENT'S BACKING. HE'S IN THE CAT BIRD SEAT.
Ted Simons: BUT IT SEEMS LIKE HE’S BEEN IN THE CAT BIRD SEAT SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, DIDN'T YOU EXPECT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN BY NOW?
Bob Christie: I DID. I TALKED TO HIM EARLY JANUARY. I SAID, YOU KNOW, ASSISTANT TREASURY SECRETARY. FINANCIAL BACKGROUND? HE SAID I HAVE TEENAGE GIRLS. MY WIFE LOVES PHOENIX. I DON'T WANT TO MOVE. SLOWLY OVER THE SIX MONTHS MAYBE IT'S GOTTEN EASIER TO SAY WASHINGTON DOESN'T LOOK SO BAD. WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
Ted Simons: GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE. APPRECIATE IT. MONDAY ON ARIZONA HORIZON, THE IMPACT OF RECENT HURRICANES ON ARIZONA GAS PRICES. AND THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY CELEBRATES ITS 70TH YEAR IN BUSINESS. THAT'S MONDAY AT 5-30 AND 10 ON ARIZONA HORIZON. TUESDAY, AN IN-FOCUS SPECIAL ON THE FIRST BLIND PERSON TO CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST. WEDNESDAY, BEST SELLING SCIENCE WRITER LAWRENCE KRAUSS JOIN US IN-STUDIO TO DISCUSS THE LATEST SCIENCE NEWS. THURSDAY: A NEW STUDY USING NEURO-IMAGING SHOWS HOW THE BRAIN MANAGES SELF CONTROL. FRIDAY, ANOTHER EDITION OF THE JOURNALIST ROUND TABLE. THAT IS IT FOR NOW. I'M TED SIMONS. YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
Astrid Galvan from the Associated Press
Jeremey Duda from Arizona Capitol Times
Bob Christie from the Associated Press