Journalists’ Roundtable

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Join us as three local journalists bring you up to date on the news of the week.


TED SIMONS: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON'S JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE," A MAJOR EDUCATION LAWSUIT COULD BE BREWING, THIS TIME OVER CAPITAL FUNDING. AND A NEW STATE AUDIT SHOWS THAT ARIZONA SPENDS 3,000 DOLLARS LESS THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE TO EDUCATE A CHILD. THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT, ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."


TED SIMONS: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON'S JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, I'M TED SIMONS. JOINING US TONIGHT: MARY JO PITZL OF THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC." HOWARD FISCHER OF THE "CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES." AND LUIGE DEL PUERTO OF THE "ARIZONA CAPITOL TIMES."


TED SIMONS: ARIZONA COULD BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER EDUCATION-FUNDING LAWSUIT, THIS AFTER A DISPUTE OVER "INFLATION" FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS WAS SETTLED LAST YEAR WITH THE PASSAGE OF PROP-123. THIS ONE DEALS WITH CAPITAL FUNDING. WHAT IS GOING ON, MARY JO?

MARY JO PITZL: IT'S CAPITAL FUNDING, THE COST FOR SCHOOL REPAIRS, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT THAT GOES INTO SCHOOLS, CLASSROOMS LIKE DESKS. THERE ISN'T MONEY FOR IT. THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY BUT NOWHERE NEAR WHAT THE STATE OR SCHOOLS WERE PROMISED WHEN THE SUPREME COURT SETTLED A LAWSUIT TWO DECADES AGO.

HOWARD FISCHER: THAT'S KEY. FAIR AND IMMEDIATE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS TODAY. THERE WAS A FORMULA FOR REPAIRS OF YOU KEY THE AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRED SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THERE IS A FORMULA FOR SCHOOLS SO YOU DON'T NEED TO GO OUT TO THE RICH OR POOR DISTRICTS. THEY SAID THERE IS MONEY AND YOU DON'T NEED TO REPAIR THOSE THINGS. THAT PUT IT BACK ON LOCAL DISTRICTS WHEN YOU HAS INEQUALITY. THE CEILING WAS CAVING IN, IN THE GIRL'S BATHROOMS.

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: DURING THE RECESSION, WE HAVE CUTBACK ON EDUCATION FUNDING. IT'S HIT HARD, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND HOWIE'S CORRECT, THE ISSUE, IF AND WHEN THE LAWSUIT IS FILED, IT'S EQUITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. YOU HAVE ONE WEALTHY SCHOOL DISTRICT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND POORER DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

HOWARD FISCHER: THAT'S KEY. BECAUSE IT'S BASED ON PROPERTY VALUES, SAY YOU ARE IN A PARADISE VALLEY, YOU CAN RAISE THREE CENTS ON THE TAX RATE AND RAISE MILLIONS. OR ANOTHER DISTRICT, 30,000. THAT'S KEY.

MARY JO PITZL: THE LAWSUITS IS BEEING WORKED ON WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S COMING FOR PUBLIC INTEREST. COUPLE MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE AGREED TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT. TIM HOGAN THAT WOULD REPRESENT THE CITIES, PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON IT.

TED SIMONS: THIS DATES BACK TO THE '90S WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GET THIS DONE. THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS THE LEGISLATURE NOT LIVING UP TO THEIR SIDE OF THE BARGAIN.

REP. REBECCA RIOS: ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A LAWSUIT THAT CREATED SCHOOLS FIRST AS A MECHANISM TO WHICH WE FUND THE CAPITAL NEEDS. THE LEGISLATURE FAILED TO FUND THEM.

SEN. STEVE FARLEY: WE HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDING WHAT WE AGREED TO. THERE ARE COMPUTERS 12 YEARS OLD IN THE CLASSROOM, TEXTBOOKS WEARING OUT, OUT OF DATE. THERE ARE CLASSROOMS IN MY DAUGHTER'S HIGH SCHOOL, TUCSON HIGH SCHOOL WHERE 10% OF THE CLASSROOMS ARE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY ARE DANGEROUS TO INHABIT. WE SHOULDN'T TOLERATE THIS FOR OUR CHILDREN.

TED SIMONS: IT'S $2 BILLION CUT SINCE 2009.

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: THAT'S WHAT TIM HOGAN IS SAYING. IT'S A BIG AMOUNT. AT SOME POINT, THE STATE MAY HAVE TO SETTLE THIS BECAUSE THE RISK IS IF THE STATE LOSES THE CASE, YOU ARE LOSING $2 BILLION FUNDING. THERE IS NO MONEY FOR IT. YOU CAN'T FIND MONEY, YOU CAN'T FIND $2 BILLION.

HOWARD FISCHER: COURTS DON'T LIKE TO TELL THE LEGISLATURE YOU WILL DO IT THIS WAY TO THEY SAID IF YOU DO NOT SOLVE THE EQUITY QUESTION, WE'LL DENY FUNDING OF STATE AID FOR SCHOOLS AND THAT WILL GET THE ATTENTION OF PARENTS.


TED SIMONS: WASN'T THERE A BILL TO ADDRESS THIS?

MARY JO PITZL: YES, I THINK IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE HEATHER CARTER HAD AN INFORMATIONAL HEARING ON A BILL JUST LAST WEEK ON THIS. IT WOULD BE A PATH OUT OF THERE. I WILL SAY HOUSE SPEAKER J.D. MES NARD AND PRESIDENT YARBOROUGH IN THE SENATE. THEY DON'T WANT THIS LAWSUIT. THEY DON'T WANT SOMETHING SHOVED DOWN THEIR THROATS. THEY WOULD RATHER THE LEGISLATOR DEAL WITH THIS THEMSELVES BUT ASIDE FROM THE HEAR, WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING.

HOWARD FISCHER: THAT THE KEY, NOBODY WANTS TO RAISE THE MONEY NECESSARY.

MARY JO PITZL: AND YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE WHERE WOULD YOU GET IT AT THIS POINT? YESTERDAY, THE LEGISLATURE KILLED OFF A MAJOR TAX BREAK PACKAGE AND DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR IT, LIKED IT ANYWAY. REPRESENTATIVE FREEZE SAID, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET MONEY IS GROWING BUSINESSES. WE HAVE TAKEN THE OATH THAT WE'LL NEVER RAISE TAXES. YOU WON'T GET TAX INCREASES OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE.

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: EVEN THE IDEA OF GROWING TAX CUTS PROVIDING AND GIVEN AWAY ACCORDING TO DEMOCRATS, SOME WILL QUESTION THAT YOU SEE THE BENEFITS. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION IS HOW SOON WILL WE SEE THE BENEFITS. 150 TO $200 MILLION A YEAR, WHERE DO YOU GET THE MONEY.

TED SIMONS: LAST QUESTION ON THIS, IF TIM HOGAN DROPS THE SUIT, THE LEGISLATURE IN THE PAST HAD AN ARGUMENT AGAINST INFLATION FUNDING. THEIR HANDS WERE TIED AND THEY DID WHAT THEY DID ETC. AS FAR AS A DEFENSE AGAINST THIS, WHAT IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO -- OTHER THAN WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

HOWARD FISCHER: THAT'S WHAT IT CAME DOWN TO. THEY ARGUED THIS IN PROP 123, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. COURTSARE LOATHE TO SAY, ASSIGN A TAX, BUT THEY'LL SAY THERE ARE WAYS TO DO THIS. THE WAY WE DO IT IN FUNDING OPERATION, YOU DETERMINE THE BASE NEED, THE DISTRICTS STATE AID GET IT. THOSE THAT RAISE IT LOCALLY PUT IT IN A POT. YOU CAN DO THAT ON THE CAPITAL SIDE. THAT CAUSES WAR BETWEEN THE RICH AND POOR DISTRICTS. YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED MORE STATE DOLLARS.

MARY JO PITZL: IF THE STATE CONTINUES TO TURN ITS POCKETS INSIDE OUT AND SAY WE HAVE NO MONEY, IS THIS PART OF THE STARVE THE BEAST STRATEGY? WE CAN'T DO IT, SO WE'LL HAVE TO BRING ON VOUCHER, PRIVATIZATION.

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: TALKING ABOUT THE BRAND BIG SCHEME OF THINGS, THERE IS ANOTHER THING COMING UP, PROP 301, SALES TAX THAT THE STATE HAS TO DECIDE IF WE CONTINUE THAT OR EXPAND IT. IT MAY BE AN OPTION, A VEHICLE TO SOLVE THE LARGER ISSUE OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
HOWARD FISCHER: PROP 301 IS SIX CENTS ON A SALES TAX OF 2020. YOU TAKE IT UP TO A PENNY, YOU GET $400 MILLION A YEAR, YOU CAN START MAKING A DENT.


TED SIMONS: IT MAY NOT BE ONE FAIL SWOOP BUT INCREMENTALLY YOU WITH SHOW AN ATTEMPT TO GET THERE. I GUESS WE ARE WAITING FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. WE HAD A STATE AUDIT ON EDUCATION. ARIZONA DIDN'T LOOK GOOD AS FAR AS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE PER PUPIL SPENDING.

HOWARD FISCHER: THAT'S WHAT WE DO ALL THE TIME. WE ARE AT 48, 49TH AND 50TH. THE CONCERN IS THE TREND. THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME REPORT SINCE 2001. NOT ONLY ARE WE BELOW, FAR BELOW AVERAGE IN PER PUPIL SPENDING, BUT THE AMOUNT THAT ENDS UP IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHER SALARY AND BOOKS IS AT THE LOWEST POINT IN 16 YEARS. THE SCHOOLS WILL TELL YOU IF YOU ADD INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT, COUNSELORS, NURSES, SOCIAL WORKER, WE ARE PROBABLY STAYING EVEN. TRUE APPLES TO APPLES, THE CLASSROOM SPENDING IS DOWN. WHAT THAT'S MEANT ACCORDING TO AUDITOR GENERAL DAVENPORT, TEACHER SALARIES ARE FLAT, GOING DOWN IN REAL DOLLARS WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON TEACHERS LEAVING THE CLASSROOM.


TED SIMONS: HOW IS THIS BEING RECEIVED BY LAWMAKERS?

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: TEACHER SALARIES ARE FLAT, THE GOVERNOR OFFERING A 0.04% PAY HIKE AND REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO ENSURE MORE MONEY IS GOING INTO THE CLASSROOM. THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAME UP WITH THEIR OWN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IS GOING TO THE CLASSROOM. THEY HAVE A MORE EXPANSIVE VIEW OF SPENDING.

HOWARD FISCHER: YOU NEED COUNSELORS AND SCHOOL NURSES AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT THE TREND LINE HAS NOT BEEN GOOD. PART OF THE PROBLEM, YOU HAVE EXPENSES. YOU HAVE TO RUN THE SCHOOL BUSSES. YOU HAVE TO FIX THE AIR CONDITIONER. NO CAPITAL TO BUY A NEW AIR CONDITIONER OR NEW ROOF, SO THEY HAVE TAKEN CLASSROOM MONEY AND PUT IT INTO OTHER THING.


TED SIMONS: IMPACT ON THE EDUCATION FUNDING BATTLE?

MARY JO PITZL: THIS WILL RENEW THE ARGUMENTS THAT SCHOOLS SPEND TOO MUCH ON ADMINISTRATION. ALL OF THE EXPENSES HOWIE IS DETAILING UNDER THE AUDIT GET LUMPED INTO THE ADMINISTRATION CATEGORY NOT THE CLASSROOM CATEGORY. EVERYONE IS COMMITTED TO GETTING MORE MONEY TO THE SCHOOLS. YOU CAN'T TARGET IT TO SAY THIS GOES SPECIFICALLY TO TEACHER PAY RAISES.

HOWARD FISCHER: THIS SUPPORTS THE POLITICAL NARRATIVE THAT WE ARE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH FOR THE CLASSROOMS. TEACHERS AND OTHERS WILL SAY WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. EVEN IF YOU RAISE THE SALES TAX FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU RAISE THE TAXES YOU CAN RAISE, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO PUT US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK WHEN IT COMES TO PER PUPIL FUNDING.


TED SIMONS: WHEN WE COME BACK, THE HOUSE ISSUES A BILL TO TARGET INITIATIVES. THAT'S NEXT.


TED SIMONS: ALL RIGHT, LUIGI, CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS 109, YOU NEED SIGNATURES FROM EVERY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT PASSES THE HOUSE. NOT A LOT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE HAPPY ABOUT THIS. WHAT'S GOING ON?

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: YOU HAVE TO GET A NUMBER OF VALID SIGNATURES FROM EACH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CONSTITUENTS SAY I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU 5% OF VALID SIGNATURES. THAT'S IT. YOU CAN'T GET THE REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT.
TED SIMONS: IT MAKES IT TOUGHER. IF YOU ARE AGAINST AN INITIATIVE, YOU ONLY HAVE TO FIND ONE DISTRICT TO POOL YOUR MONEY AND GET THAT GROUP OF FOLKS NOT TO GET SIGNATURES. YOU COULD FOCUS ON ONE DISTRICT.
MARY JO PITZL: YOU COULD. YOU HAVE A GROUND GAME. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SIGNING A PETITION. YOU PUT UP BARRIERS, TALK IT DOWN. REPRESENTATIVE DON SCHULER SAID THIS WOULD SHOW BROAD BASED SUPPORT. PEOPLE RUNNING RECENT INITIATIVES SAY WE HIRE PROFESSIONAL FIRMS, THEY TEND TO GET SIGNATURE FRS EVERY COUNTY. NOT THE SAME PERCENTAGE. YOU TAKE IT DOWN FROM 15 COUNTIES TO 30 DISTRICTS, IT'S EASIER TO MESS THINGS UP.
HOWARD FISCHER: SOME VERSION OF THIS HAS BEEN UPHELD IN OTHER DISTRICTS. YOU CAN HAVE UP TO 10% DIFFERENCE AND IT'S BASED NOT ON THE REGISTERED VOTERS BUT THOSE THAT SHOWED UP AT THE LAST GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION. IN ONE DISTRICT YOU MIGHT NEED 3,000 SIGNATURES, ANOTHER 8 OR 12. HE SAID YOU WANT TO DO THIS, LET'S GO TO COURT.

TED SIMONS: I WAS GOING TO SAY, THIS LIKELY WINDS UP IN COURT.

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS ALREADY AMONG BACKERS OF INITIATIVES DOING THINGS. ONE, A REFERENDUM ON THE ISSUES THAT THE ISSUE PASSES, AN INITIATIVE TO LOCK IN PLACE THE STATUTES THAT GIVE THE PROCESS. REFERENDUM PUT IN HOLD WHATEVER IS PAST THE LEGISLATURE AND AN INITIATIVE WOULD SAY, WHATEVER'S IN PLACE RIGHT NOW, THAT GOVERNS THE PROCESS HERE ONWARD. IF IT'S VOTER APPROVED, YOU CAN'T CHANGE THAT.

HOWARD FISCHER: THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO OVER TURN THE VOTER ACT. THOSE REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL. THE ONE THAT DOESN'T WOULD BAN PER SIGNATURE PAYING. AGAIN --


TED SIMONS: ARE THERE LIKE FOUR, FIVE? HOW MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE OUT THERE THAT TARGET THE INITIATIVE PROCESS?

HOWARD FISCHER: FOUR. PAPER SIGNATURE AND THIS ONE FROM SENATOR SHOOTER.

THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF PROP -- THE MINIMUM WAGE -- IT'S BEEN GROWING. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FIGURES PEOPLE GO TO THE BALLOT WHEN THE LEGISLATION DOESN'T WANT TO DO SOMETHING. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SAYS, WHY DO WE WANT TO GO TO THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE THE LAWMAKERS HERE. A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATION, A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR. IT'S EASIER FOR US. WE WANT TO KEEP THE PROCESS THE WAY WE WANT IT.


TED SIMONS: LUIGI, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH PAUL BABUE?

LUIGE DEL PUERTO: THE FBI HAS TALKED TO OFFICIALS IN PI NELL COUNTY. THEY ARE SUSPECTED CONVICTED OR NOT CHARGED, PEOPLE NOT CHARGED WITH ANY CRIME, POLICE ARE ABLE TO CEASE THIS FUNDING. WE KNOW THE FBI IS TALKING TO COUNTY OFFICIALS. COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE COOPERATE WITHING THE FBI. THIS IS A SUBJECT BEING DEBATED IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THIS IS A CONTROVERSIAL ABILITY BY THE POLICE TO SEIZE PROPERTIES.

HOWARD FISCHER: THAT'S PART OF IT. THE FIRST HALF, RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN SEIZE PROPERTY BASED ON THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE. YOU DON'T NEED CRIMINAL CHARGES. IF YOU LOSE YOU PAY THE LEGAL FEES. AT THE TIME HE PUT OUT AN EDUCATIONAL PROSURE TO TALK ABOUT HIS OFFICE. MAYBE IT WAS AN EDUCATIONAL REVIEW. IS THIS A RACKETEERING FUND FOR USING THE FUND ON HE IS HOUSE. THE FBI WANTS TO KNOW, WAS THIS FOR PERSONAL GAIN?
LUIGE DEL PUERTO: THERE ARE ENRICO FUNDS IN PI NELL COUNTY. CAN YOU USE THAT MONEY TO FUND A NONPROFIT ENTITY.

TED SIMONS: WASN'T HE IN LINE FOR THE BORDER WALL?

HOWARD FISCHER: WE HEARD ABOUT IT. HE'S BEEN ON AND OFF. ELI POLICE CHIEF. THEY COULD PARDON HIM.


TED SIMONS: THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING. PARK'S DIRECTOR, MARY JO CELAK IS FACING A STATE INVESTIGATION. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THAT?

MARY JO PITZL: SHE'S NOT BEEN KIND AND GENTLE WITH EMPLOYEES ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE FILED. IT'S THE FIFTH STATE DIRECTOR. THEY ARE CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.

TED SIMONS: DRUNK AND BELLIGERENT IS ONE OF THE ALLEGATION?.
LUIGE DEL PUERTO: THERE IS STUFF I CAN'T SAY ON T.V. THERE ARE RACIAL COMMENTS, DRUNKEN ESCAPADES, A STATE EMPLOYEE WORKING ON A PERSONAL ISSUE. MARY JO IS RIGHT. THE LATEST ONE IS FACING A CONTROVERSY OF HER HANDLING OF HER JOB.

HOWARD FISCHER: THERE ARE THINGS, THE EMPLOYEE WANTED TO DO PERSONAL WORK IS AN ATTORNEY. THEN THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE ASKED ANOTHER STATE EMPLOYEE, GET AROUND THE PESKY PROCUREMENT CODE. WE HAVE A HISTORY HERE. WE HAVE A LOTTERY DIRECTOR THAT WENT OS TA LA BYE BYE. DOES THIS COME BACK ON THE ADMINISTRATION FOR POOR OVERSIGHT?

TED SIMONS: SHE SAYS IT'S ALL HEARSAY AND ALL WRONG.
MARY JO PITZL: IT MAKES YOU WONDER IF LAWMAKERS WILL MAKE YOU RECONSIDER THE PARKS BOARD. DOES THIS RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FATE OF THAT?
TED SIMONS: BEFORE WE GO, WE HAD A HEARING, STATE SUPREME COURT, IS THE LAW THAT SAYS THE STATE CAN WITHHOLD STATE SHARED REVENUE IF THE CITIES VIOLENT THE LAW, WE HAD A DEBATE ON THIS WITH THE LEAGUE OF CITIES AND TOWNS. HE SAID IT'S COERCION BY WAY OF STATE REVENUE SHARING.
TED SIMONS: FOR TUCSON, IT'S $115 MILLION HERE. THIS ISN'T CHICKEN FEED.
HOWARD FISCHER: IF THE CITY WANTS TO CHALLENGE IT, THEY HAVE TO POST A BOND TO HALF REVENUES. THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SITTING AROUND. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY HAVE BAIL BONDS AND ONE THE JUSTICES ASK. IS THIS PUNITIVE? THE JUSTICE SAID, YOU CAN JETTISON THAT AND KEEP THE REST OF IT THERE. IT'S DESIGNED TO GET THE ATTENTION. IT'S PUNITIVE. FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE LEGISLATURE, ARE CITIES A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE? WHY SHOULDN'T THE STATE DICTATE WHAT THEY DO.


TED SIMONS: THEY HAVE A CHARTER TO DEAL WITH LOCAL ISSUES.

MARY JO PITZL: THEN THAT BECOMES A QUESTION OF, IS THE CASE IN POINT TUCSON'S GUN DESTRUCTION POLICY, IS THAT LOCAL INTEREST ONLY, WHAT THE CITY ARGUES, OR DOES IT HAVE BROADER CONCERN? CAN GUNS MOVE AROUND? WHAT IF THEY SEIZE MY GUN? I'M FROM PHOENIX, BUT I HAPPEN TO BE PASSING THROUGH TOWN. THEN THEY DESTROY IT WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOLD TO SOMEONE.

HOWARD FISCHER: THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION WEIGHED IN AND SAID WHAT THIS DOES IS REDUCES THE SUPPLY OF WEAPONS, MAKES WEAPONS MORE EXPENSIVE AND THAT'S WHY IT'S OF STATEWIDE INTEREST. THEY ACCUSED TUCSON OF HAVING A VAST CONSPIRACY. WHAT IF THEY COME BACK AND SAY YOU CAN'T DO THIS.


TED SIMONS: THE CITY'S CHARTER ALLOWS THEM TO WRITE THEIR OWN ORDINANCE. IF THE STATE SAYS YOU CAN'T DO THAT,
LUIGE DEL PUERTO: SEEMS LIKE THE JUSTICE SEEMS SKEPTICAL IN THIS CASE.


TED SIMONS: WE HAVE TO STOP IT RIGHT THERE. GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US.

Mary Jo Pitzl: Arizona Republic; Howard Fisher: Capitol Media Services; Luige del Puerto: Arizona Capitol Times

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