>> Ted: NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, THE BORDER CROSSING POINT AT LUKEVILLE REOPENS A MONTH AFTER IT WAS CLOSED DUE TO AN INFLUX OF MIGRANTS.

>>> AN INVESTIGATION INTO A GANG OF WELL-TO-DID EAST VALLEY TEENAGERS.

>>> AND WHAT ADVOCATES WANT TO SEE FROM LAWMAKERS IN THE UPCOMING SESSION.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE ARE NEXT ON ARIZONA.

>> THIS HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE FROM THE FRIENDS OF PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE LUKEVILLE PORT OF ENTRY REOPENED TODAY AFTER THE BORDER CROSSING WAS CLOSED A MONTH.

TODAY'S MOVE FOLLOWS CRITICISM FROM STATE LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ALONG WITH RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THE REOPENINGS IN A MOMENT.

>>> ON CAPITOL HILL, THE HOUSE HAS A BORDER BILL WITH TO CHANCE OF PASSING THE SENATE AND THE AS SOON AS IS WORKING ON BORDER LEGISLATION THAT HAS NO CHANCE OF PASSING THE HOUSE.

BUT NEGOTIATIONS GO ON ACCORDING TO SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA.

>> OUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO FIND A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS THAT CHANGES THE POLICIES SO THAT WE CAN MANAGE AND CONTROL OR BORDER OTHER AND TO ENSURE THOSE WHO REASONABLY QUALIFY FOR ASYLUM HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GET ASYLUM IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE'LL BE VERY PRACTICAL AND REASONABLE ABOUT IT.

>> Ted: OTHER HEADLINES, MARICOPA COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING INTO MISMANAGEMENT BY SUPERINTENDENT STEVE WATSON, LOOKING AN WATSON, AMONG OTHER THINGS MISREPORTED FUNDS AND FAILED SUBMIT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

WATSON DENIED ANY WRONG-DOING.

>>> FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS IN THE U.S.

WERE AS LOW AS THEY'VE BEEN SINCE 2013.

LAST YEAR WAS BELOW 1.2% FOR OVER 16 MILLION FLIGHTS.

AND BETWEEN DECEMBER 17th AND NEW YEAR'S DAY, CANCELLATION RATE WAS BELOW 1%.

THAT COMPARES WITH THE FULL 8%, 8% RATE DURING THE SAME TIME THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

>>> AS WE MENTIONED, THE BORDER CROSSING AT LUKEVILLE REOPENED TODAY AND THE POT OF ENTRY WAS CLOSED DECEMBER 4th DUE TO AN INCREASE OF MIGRANTS.

IT WAS CRITICIZED BECAUSE IT PROVIDES DIRECT ACCESS KNOWN AS ROCKY POINT.

FOR MORE, WE WELCOME RAPHAEL WHO COVERS BORDER ISSUES.

WE HEARD ABOUT THIS AND WAS THIS IS A SURPRISE THAT IT REOPENED NOW?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A SURPRISE.

I THINK THIS HAD BEEN BUILDING FOR SOME TIME AND THE PRESSURE, ESPECIALLY, HAD BEEN MOUNTING ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE PEOPLE REALIZED THE DAMAGE THIS WAS CAUSING NOT JUST TO BORDER BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES BUT POLITICALLY, YOU HAVE MEMBERS FROM BOTH COUNTIES CALLING ON HIM TO TAKE GREATER ACTION GIVEN WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE BORDER.

>> Ted: DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, SOMETIMES THAT WORKS AND SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T.

SO YOU'RE THINKING IT MAY HAVE PLAYED A PART?

>> I THINK IT DEFINITELY PLAYED A PART.

THE WHITE HOUSE HASN'T SAID WHETHER THAT'S A CASE AND THEY ANNOUNCED WHERE THE BORDER CROSSINGS NOT JUST HERE IN ARIZONA BUT ONE IN CALIFORNIA AND A FEW IN TEXAS WOULD BE REOPENING AND IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT THE PRESSURE DIDN'T PLAY A ROLE IN THAT ONLY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S SUCH A BIG PART OF THE TRADE IN COMMERCE AND THE IMPACT OF THE BORDER COMMUNITIES IS SO HUGE THAT LAWMAKERS WERE ECHOING THESE CALLS TO REOPEN THESE PORTS OF ENTRY.

BUT IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MUCH OF A ROLE THAT PLAYED.

>> Ted: WHAT WAS THE REASONING, THOUGH, FOR THE REOPENING?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE REASONING FOR THE CLOSURE WAS THAT THEY NEEDED THE HELP TO REDIRECT THE PEOPLE AT THESE BORDER CROSSINGS TO PROCESS MIGRANTS.

IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE SEEN A SMALL DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CROSSING.

BUT THAT'S PART OF THE ADVENT FLOWS ALONG THE BORE ROUTINELY.

THERE'S MORE AND SOME ARE THERE AND THE PRESSURE TO NOT CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, PARTICULARLY BERRING AN ELECTION YEAR TOP OF MINE FOR THE PRESIDENT.

>> Ted: INDEED, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

>> IT EBBS AND FLOWS.

THE SAME INITIALING THING ARE HAPPENING ALSO IN YUMA.

THAT PLAYING CASE IN NOGALES OR THE BORDER, BUT THAT'S JUST A CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME THEY PLAY WITH SMUGGLERS AND WHERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WEAKNESSES TO U.S. ENFORCEMENT TO FUNNEL MORE PEOPLE THAT WAY.

IT'S JUST THAT GAME, THAT YOU'RE CATCHING UP TO THAT AND IT EMERGES SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> Ted: SINCE THE NATIONAL GUARD WITH HELP NOT NECESSARILY GUARDING THE BORDER BUT ANCILLARY HELP, DID THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, DO YOU THINK?

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DETAILS ABOUT THAT DEPLOYMENT OR THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE DOWN THERE YET.

WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS DOWN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE BORDER THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THE DUTIES.

SO WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DETAILS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF TROOPS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT DOWN THERE.

BUT I THINK BORDER PATROL WILL TELL YOU THAT ANY ASSISTANCE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Ted: YES, AND ANY GREED IDEA OF THAT DEPLOYMENT WILL CONTINUE NOW THAT THE BORDER IS REOPEN?

>> I THINK THE NEEDS ARE DEFINITELY STILL THERE AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CROSSING WILL CONTINUE, WHETHER IT'S AN ELEVATED NUMBER OR MORE MANAGEABLE LEVEL, THEY'LL CONTINUE.

SO I THINK THAT THE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES MORE TO PROVIDE SOME MORE PERMANENT ASSISTANCE.

I THINK THAT ANY ADDITIONAL HELP WOULD PROBABLY BE WELCOMED BY A LOT OF THE BORDER ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

>> Ted: IT WILL PROBABLY KEEP THEM DOWN THERE.

THE BORDER COMMUNITIES, AS YOU MENTIONED, HOW HARD WERE THESE COMMUNITIES HIT BY THIS CLOSURE?

JUDGING FROM WHAT I'VE READ AND HEARD, IT CRATERED DOWN THERE.

>> WHEN I TALKED TO BUSINESS OWNERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVING THERE, THEY DESCRIBED THIS AS A CATASTROPHIC IMPACT.

THIS TENDS TO BE A LOWER SEASON FOR VISITORS, BUT STILL, IT'S A POPULAR DESTINATION AND PARTICULARLY DURING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S.

IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE U.S. CONSTITUTIONALCONSULATE USING ALTERNATE ROUTES, THAT CRATERED IT.

AND A LOT OF THE SHOPS WENT WITHOUT CUSTOMERS FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS.

>> Ted: YOUR REPORTING ALSO SAID THAT, YES, FEWER VISITS AND LONGER LASTING VISITORS.

PEOPLE FROM CANADA COME DOWN AND STAY A LONGER WHILE AND THAT IMPACTS BUSINESS AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE OPENING COULDN'T HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME FOR THE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE OF THIS INFLUX OF WINTER VISITORS THAT WILL BE PASSING THROUGH OUR DAYING IN THESE COMMUNITIES AND BECAUSE THEY STAY FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME, THEY'RE HAVING A GREATER ECONOMIC IMPACT AND IT'S A VERY BIG LIFE LINE FOR A LOT OF THE TOWNS, ESPECIALLY IN ROCKY POINT PRIOR TO THE SPRING BREAK AND TEMPERATURES DRAWING MORE VISITORS TO THE BEACHES.

>> Ted: WHAT ABOUT ARIZONA, LIKE AJO AS FAR AS MIGRANTS AND PROCESSING AND TRAVEL?

THE ECONOMY OF AJO, HOW HAS THAT BEEN EFFECTED?

>> BECAUSE THERE'S A VITAL LINE OF LIFE LINE SHUT DOWN, A LOT OF BUSINESSES HAD TO REDUCE THE HOURS OR CLOSE DOWN COMPLETELY.

THEY'RE DEPENDENT PEOPLE STOPPING FOR GAS AND SNACKS AND SAW A REDUCTION IN 90% OF THEIR BUSINESS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON OUR PAY OTHER UTILITIES.

EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD IS OPEN NOW, IT'S STILL HARD TO SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL MAKE THAT TREK NOW.

SO IT WON'T BE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT.

WE EXPECT IT WILL BE GRADUAL BEFORE THINGS GET BACK TO QUOTE, UNQUOTE, NORMAL.

>> Ted: WHEN DOES IT GET BACK TO NORMAL BECAUSE THERE'S A THOUGHT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN >> NOT NECESSARILY HERE IN LUKEVILLE BUT IN SOME OF THE OTHER CROSSINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED, IN TEXAS AND EAGLE PASS AND SAN DIEGO, WHERE THAT'S HAPPENED AND BEEN REOPEN AND A FEW WEEKS LATER, IT SHUTS DOWN.

>> Ted: LAST QUESTION AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DID SHUTTING DO YOU LUKEVILLE ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING?

AT THIS POINT, IT'S HARD TO SAY ONLY BECAUSE, AS I MENTIONED, SMUGGLERS ARE ADEPT AND WILL FIND WEAKNESSES ALONG THE BORDER TO SEIZE ON THEIR PROFITS, AND MAXIMIZE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CROSSING.

I THINK THAT UNTIL WE -- A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW, WE MAY HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENS THERE, BUT AS OF NOW, I THINK I EXPECT THAT WE'LL SEE MORE CROSSING THROUGH THIS AREA.

>> Ted: GREAT REPORTING AND GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FORWARD HAVING ME.

>> Ted: UP NEXT, DETAILS ON A GROUP OF TEENAGERS TERRORIZING AREAS OF THE SOUTHWEST VALLEY.

>> NEXT ON "FATHER BROWN."

WHEN THE TOWNIONS A LOCAL TEENAGER, SHE RUNS AWAY AND FATHER BROWN EXPECTS SOMETHING MORE SINISTER IS AFIT.

AFOOT.

>> THERE'S A CHANCE SHE'S ALIVE.

>> "FATHER BROWN" SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7 ON PBS.

>> HERE WE ARE IN THE PRESENT AND WE'RE GOING FULL FORCE.

>> NATIVE WOMEN ARE STRONG AND RESILIENT.

>> MY PEOPLE HAVE A SHARED HISTORY.

>> SHE'S A WARRIOR.

>> IT'S ABOUT REPRESENTING OURSELVES IN THE WAY WE SEE OURSELVES.

>> WE'RE SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS AND DOCTORS AND DOING THINGS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD.

>> WHEN YOU SUPPORT ARIZONA PBS, YOU PLANT A SEED, SEEDS THAT PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SEEDS THAT PUT OUR DETALING RESOURCES TO WORK AND SEES THAT FOSTER THE TRUSTED KNEW COVERAGE YOU EXPECT FROM PBS AND SEES THAT CONTINUE THE AMAZING PBS PROGRAMS YOU LOVE.

BUT OUR GARDEN CAN'T KEEP GROWING WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE ALL OF THE WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUR GARDEN GROW.

PLANT A SEED WITH ARIZONA PBS TODAY.

>> Ted: A GAINING OF TEENAGERS KNOWN AS THE "GILBERT GOONS" ALLEGEDLY TIED TO A MURDER IN THE SOUTHEAST VALLEY.

IT LEAD TO COMMUNITY OUTRAGE OVER THE LACK OF ARREST BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, ALL TO WHICH LEAD TO AN INVESTIGATION BY THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC.

WE'RE JOINED BY REPUBLICAN INVESTIGATOR AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTER.

GOOD TO YOU HAVE BOTH AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

ROBERT, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN THIS?

WAS IT THE PUBLIC OUTCRY IN WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA CLAMOR AND WILD ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THIS GROUP OF TEENS.

AND SO WHAT I THINK WE DID MORE THAN ANYTHING WAS FRAME WHAT THE ISSUE WAS.

AND QUITE QUICKLY, WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT NOT ONLY WERE THESE ATTACKS GOING ON, WHERE TEENAGERS WERE ATTACKING PEOPLE RANDOMLY AT MALLS AND PARKS AND FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, BUT THEY WERE POSSIBLY INVOLVED IN A MURDER OF PRESTON LORD, A 16-YEAR-OLD BEATEN AT A HALLOWEEN PARTY AND DIED TWO DAYS LATER.

>> Ted: THE MURDER OF PRESTON, THAT WAS A CATALYST FOR THE OUTRAGE AND THAT WAS THE SPARK WANT,WAS IT NOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE STARTED LOOKING INTO PRESTON'S MURDER AND THEN IT HIT PAUSE AND ROBERT AND I LOOKED INTO THE ALLEGATIONS ONLINE AND THAT'S WHERE WE STUMBLED AROUND THIS.

>> Ted: STICKING WITH YOU, DO THEY CALL THEMSELVES "THE GILBERT GOONS"?

>> WE'VE HEARD FROM COMMUNITY MEDICALS THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL THEMSELVES AND WE'VE SEEN SOCIAL MEDIA OF THEIRS WHERE THEY'VE TAGGED WITH A HASHTAG OR GILBERT GOONIES AND WE'VE HEARD VARIOUS FORMS OF THESE NAMES.

SO IT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS CALLING THEM AND THAT POLICE HAVE LABELED THEM FOR NOW.

>> Ted: ROBERT, AGAIN, THESE ARE MOSTLY WHITE, MOSTLY UPPER MIDDLE-CLASS KIDS IN THE SOUTHEAST VALLEY?

>> THAT'S THE GROUP.

THEY'RE LOOSELY AFFILIATED, DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOLS, DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND MOST OF THE -- SO YOU HAVE TO SEPARATE THE PRESTON LORD ATTACK AND BEATING FROM THE OTHER ATTACKS THAT WE'VE UNCOVERED.

AND THEN WE WENT BACK AND LINKED THEM.

IN FACT, ONE OF THE MOST CHILLING THINGS WE DISCOVERED WAS, JUST DAYS AFTER PRESTON LORD WAS MURDERED, ONE OF THE PEOPLE WE'VE IDENTIFIED IN ATTACK VIDEOS, POSTED SOMETHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WAS AKIN TO A CONFESSION.

I HIT A KID, HE FELL DOWN AND OTHER PEOPLE STOMPED HIM.

I HEARD LATER HE DIED, IDK WHICH IS TEXT SPEAK FOR I DON'T KNOW, WHICH IS AN AMAZING THING TO PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT THIS IS A GROUP OF KIDS FILMING THEMSELVES BEATING OTHER KIDS AVENUE AND POSTING IT.

>> Ted: IS THIS AN INITIAL RIGHT OR TO GO OUT THERE AND BEAT PEOPLE UP FOR THE HECK OF IT?

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> WE HAD A POLICE REPORT THAT WE WENT THROUGH AND ONE KID SAID HE DID IT FOR FUN.

SO MOST OF THE ATTACKS ARE UNPROMPTED.

WE HAD ONE CASE WHERE THERE WAS BULLYING THAT WENT ON AND SOME GOONS WENT TO THE HOUSE OF ONE VICTIM AND THEN THE ATTACK HAPPENED.

IT'S MOSTLY UNPROMPTED.

>> Ted: WHERE HAS LAW ENFORCEMENT BEEN WITH ALL OF THIS?

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS SAID THAT THEY DID SEE AN INCREASE OF ATTACKS AT THE GILBERT IN AND OUT AND THEY INCREASED PATROLS, BUT THEY SAID THERE WERE NEVER CASE REPORTS OR REPORTS FILED WITH THE NAME "GILBERT GOONS" OR ANYONE POINTING A FINGER TO THAT NAME SINCE THEY'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS DEEPLY.

AND THE POLICE HAVE SAID THEY SAID IT WAS THE GILBERT GOONS, BUT WE DON'T KNOW.

ALL WE KNOW IS NOW THEY'RE INVESTIGATING CASES BACK TWO YEARS.

>> Ted: FROM A DISTANCE, THIS IS WHAT SEEMS FRUSTRATING AND CONFUSING, FRANKLY, ABOUT THIS.

IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE KNOW EXACTLY WHO'S INVOLVED WITH THIS.

THEY KNOW NAMES AND KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE AND KNOW THE FAMILIES.

FROM A DANCE, AGAIN, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME COVERUP?

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE LEX LUTHER TO CONNECT VIDEOS AND PEOPLE'S FACES AND LOOK AT AT THE PATTERNS EMERGE WHERE THE ATTACK WERE SIMILAR AND THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SIMILAR AND SAY WHY WEREN'T THESE CONNECTED.

YOU ASK ABOUT THE POLICE, THEY APPEAR TO BE AN ABSENTEE LANDLORD.

PEOPLE REPORTED BEATEN AND THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THEM AND IN ONE CASE, THEY CHARGED THE SAME INDIVIDUAL IN TWO ATTACKS THAT WERE PART OF A GROUP ATTACKS.

THEY DID NOTHING WITH OTHER CASES, SHELVED THEM AND LABELED THEM INACTIVE AND THE ATTACKS WENT ON.

IT'S WORSE THAN THAT, THOUGH, BECAUSE IN THE AFTERMATH OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THESE GILBERT GOONS, MEMBERS WHO HAVE FALLEN OUT WITH THEM AND GIRLFRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE GROUP, WHEN THOSE PARENTS CAME FORWARD AND STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT, THE GOONS RETALIATED.

THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN OF HARASSMENT AGAINST INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS THAT AGAIN WENT BACK MORE THAN A YEAR AND THEY REPORTED IT.

NOTHING HAPPENED.

>> Ted: I ASKED WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS, BUT WHERE ARE THE COMMUNITY LEADERS?

WHERE ARE THE MAYORS AND RESTS?

REPRESENTATIVES?

FROM A DISTANCE, THIS MAKES NO SENSE.

>> THE POLICE CHIEF WON'T TALK ABOUT IT AND ALANA CALLED THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR GOT MAD WE CALLED HER ON THE CELL PHONE.

>> Ted: NOTHING MORE THAN BOTHERING ME.

>> SHE WONDERED WHY I WAS CALLING HER AND QUESTIONED WHY I WAS CALLING HER ON HER CELL PHONE AND POINTED ME TO HER OFFICE TO RECEIVE A STATEMENT WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS.

BUT TWO OTHER MOMENTUMS FROM MEMBERS FROM COUNCIL SPOKE TO ME, OF WHICH I GOT THEIR OPINIONS.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.

>> Ted: ARE THESE ATTACK STILL HAPPENING OUT THERE?

DO WE KNOW?

>> WE KNOW ONE ATTACK AFTER PRESTON LORD'S DEATH.

>> Ted: FROM YOUR INVESTIGATION, FROM WHAT YOU'VE FOUND, SEEN, HEARD AND READ, IS A COVERUP GOING ON HERE?

>> IT'S CERTAINLY SPECULATED AND WE'RE NOT THERE YET IN TERMS OF KNOWING THE DETAILS.

IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE'RE LOOKING INTO.

>> Ted: ROBERT, YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHAT'S RUMORED, THAT PROMINENT FAMILIES ARE INVOLVED AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE NOT HEARING NAMES OR FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT THE SITUATION THAT HAS A BUNCH OF FOLKS OUT THERE TERRIFIED.

>> AND THEY ARE AND IT'S REAL.

AND THESE KIDS ARE AFFLUENT.

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE IS BEING BROUGHT TO BEAR?

I CAN'T TELL YOU AT THIS TIME, BUT WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT.

>> Ted: GREAT REPORTING BY BOTH OF US.

IT'S FRUSTRATING TO READ BECAUSE IT JUST SEEMS SO WRONG.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR INVESTIGATION PUT A LITTLE BIT OF HEAT UNDER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE SPEAK TO HOMELAND SECURITY AS NEW DEBATE IN CONGRESS AND ACROSS THE NATION.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 6:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> Ted: THE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS NEXT WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND WITH THAT IN FIND, WE WILL BE HEARING WHAT ADVOCATES FROM LOOKING FROM LAWMAKERS IN THE UPCOMING SESSION.

TONIGHT WE HEAR FROM THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY.

HOUR GUESTS ARE THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION AND THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND RELATIONS TO THE ARIZONA SCHOOL BOARD'S ASSOCIATION.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MONDAY?

>> EXCITED WHEN THE GOVERNOR'S TEACHER RETENTION POLICY CAME OUT.

THIS IS GOOD FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS ACROSS THE STATE AND HOPING GOOD POL POLICIES COMING FROM THAT.

>> Ted: CHRIS, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

>> THE TOP OF EVERYBODY'S MIND IS PROPOSITION 1, 2, 3, OUR FAVORITE TOPIC EXPIRING AT THE NEXT OF FISCAL YEAR AND ESA'S, A FAVORITE TWITTER SUBJECT AND BIG DEAL.

>> Ted: LET'S START WITH RENEWING PROP 1, 2, 3 OR 123.

IT'S CONTROVERSIAL AND THIS TIME, REPUBLICANS WANT TO USE IT AND USE IT TO PAY TEACHERS.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS SOMETHING FOR YEARS WE'VE BEEN SAYING THIS IS AN ISSUE AND SO CLEARLY NOW, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S EXTENDED TO EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOL SO EVERY EDUCATOR THAT'S THERE, MY FRIEND LIZ IN THE FRONT OFFICE WHO HAS TO DO WITH PARENTS AND SICK CALLS AND TRACKING DOWN KIDS THAT ARE MISSING FROM CLASS, SHE NEEDS A RAISE, AS WELL.

WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CONVERSATION AND EXCITED TO HAVE IT.

>> Ted: BUT ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK ALONG THE LINES -- I MEAN MAYBE THE CAFETERIA OR BUS DRIVER DOESN'T GET THAT $4,000 OR WHATEVER IT IS RAISE.

JUST TO GET MORE MONEY TO TEACHERS.

SIT WORTH SENDING IT OFF TO THE BALLOT?

>> I THINK NO MATTER WHAT, IT HAS TO GO TO THE BALLOT BECAUSE IT'S STATE LAND TRUST MONEY.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS AND I KNOW THAT'S CLICHE, BUT YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICAN PLAN, THE PRESS CONFERENCE, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE DETAILS OF THAT PLAN AND SO, WE CAN'T START WORKING ON IT UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT THE ACTUAL MECHANICS WILL BE.

SO WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WILL HAPPEN AND WE'LL HAVE THE TUNNEL TO HAVE SOME INPUT AND PUT THE SAUSAGE TO THE GRINDER, AS IT IS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> Ted: CHRIS, ESA'S, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN THAT SHE OUTLINED INCLUDES A LOT OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO SEE.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A PROBLEM WHERE WE ARE SPENDING A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF STATE MONEY THAT WE BELIEVE SHOULD BE GOING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION ON PRIVATE, RELIGIOUS HOME SCHOOLING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IF THAT'S WHAT THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA WILL BE, OK, WE DON'T AGREE, BUT THAT SHIP HAS SAILED AT THIS POINT, RIGHT.

SO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE OUTCOMES, FOR THEIR FINANCES, FOR EVERYTHING AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN A RELIEF ON THAT SIDE AND THE REFRAIN HAS BEEN, OH, IT'S THE PARENT'S CHOICE AND THE PARENT MAKES THE DIS AND THEY KNOW BEST.

DECISION AND THEY KNOW BEST.

WE PUT THE SAME ON ESA OPPORTUNITIESESSTUDENTSAND LET'S LOOSEN THE MANDATES.

>> Ted: IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SCHOOLS.

IT'S ABOUT MONEY TO PARENTS.

>> I MEAN, THE IRONY THAT THESE ARE THE SAME FOLKS WHO MAKE IT SINCE I'VE BEEN TEACHING IN 2006, I'M HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FIRST HOUR OF MY CLASSROOM MORE THAN ANY PARENT THAT HAS ESA'S.

I'M JUST AS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 32 KIDS IN MY SOCIAL STUDY'S CLASS.

THESE ARE CHILDREN AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE, A, AND B, AS A TAXPAYER, WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT MONEY.

>> Ted: SO WHAT DO YOU REALISTICALLY EXPECT?

>> I HOPE THERE'S A CUSHION ABOUT THEDISCUSSIONTHAT THERE'S A CUSHION THAT OUR TAXPAYER MONEY GOING TO A VACUUM.

IT SEEM LIKE A BIPARTISAN THING TO WANT AND YEAH, IT'S THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE AND YEAH, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> Ted: YEAH.

>> SO WE'LL JUST LEAN ON PARENTS THAT HAVE OVER AND OVER SAID WE WANT GREAT STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO WORK WITH US AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE LEGISLATORS.

>> Ted: THE AGGREGATE SPENDING THAT MADE FOR MUCH DRAMA BEFORE IT WAS AVOIDED IN GOING OVER THE CLIFF, BUT WILL WE DEAL WITH THIS EVERY YEAR AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?

>> WE WILL DEAL WITH THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE WE HAVE A SPENDING LIMIT THAT IS FAR BELOW WHAT THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE EDUCATION SPENDING HAS BEEN AND SO, AS MY FRIENDS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE LIKE TO REMIND ME, THEY'VE SPENT A TON OF MONEY ON EDUCATION LATELY AND IT'S TRUE, THEY INCREASED EXPENDITURES THAT RAISED US FURTHER.

BUT A LIMIT THAT WE HAVE TO OVERRIDE BECAUSE IT'S SO FAR ABOVE AND WON'T COME DOWN.

WE'RE IN THE CLEAR FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR AND SO OUR EXPECTATION NOW IS THAT, HEY, IF YOU'LL APPROPRIATE A BUDGET OVER THE LIMIT, THANK YOU, BUT MAKE SURE YOU GAIN GUARANTEE WE CAN SPEND THAT.

>> IS THAT A REALISTIC EXAMINATION?

>> IT SHOULD BE.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAY, WE'LL LET THEM USE THE MONEY AND SO I THINK IT'S A REALISTIC THING.

I THINK THAT WE'RE DONE WITH HAVING THIS FOOTBALL GAME EVERY SESSION AND READY FOR A MUST ONE.

>> Ted: YEAH, 1 POINT $1.4 BILLION AND IT HADS UP.

>> WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND HOW DOES THAT WORK INTO YOUR WANTS?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THE REALITY IS THAT IT'S A VERY ARIZONA LANDSCAPE.

LIKE MOST OF MY NEIGHBORS ARE ALL DIFFERENT PARTIES, BUT SOME OF THE ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE PART STAN.

PARTISAN.

WE'RE TAXPAYERS AND WE WANT TO FEEL SAFE IN OUR HOMES AND SCHOOLS AND QUALITY PEOPLE IN THEM.

THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

>> Ted: ABOUT 15 SECONDS.

SAME QUESTION, REALISTICALLY, WHAT CAN YOU GET?

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THEY CAN GIVE US THIS YEAR IS NOTHING ELSE.

AND I MEAN THAT NEARLY.

NEARLY.

SINCERELY.

IF INFLATION INCREASES IN FUNDING AND TAKE A PAUSE ON THE INNOVATION AND LET DISTRICTS DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WITH TUNES, TUNE STUDENTS, WEEDING WE'D BE ALL SET.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE.

>> Ted: I'M.

>> Ted: AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.