>>> COVERING MORE OF ARIZONA'S
KIDS IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET.
>> 30,000 TO 40,000 KIDS WILL BE
COVERED WHO DIDN'T HAVE COVERAGE
BEFORE, AND THAT WILL EFFECT
EXPONENTIALLY THE WHOLE
POPULATION BECAUSE IT WILL HELP
THEIR FAMILIES, IT WILL HELP
THESE KIDS SUCCEED IN LIFE.
>> FROM HEALTH CARE TO
CLASSROOMS.
>> AS FAR AS THE SLICE OF THE
PIE THAT EDUCATION GETS, IT'S
HALF OF THE BUDGET.
SO WE DO TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS WORKING
OVERNIGHT TO AGREE ON A BUDGET.
>>> THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR
STATE LAWMAKERS TO REACH A DEAL
ON ARIZONA'S BUDGET.
THURSDAY I TRAVELLED TO THE
STATE CAPITOL FOR A LOOK AT THE
BIGGEST TALKING POINTS.
HEALTH CARE FOR SOME OF
ARIZONA'S POOREST FAMILIES IS
AMONG THE SUBJECTS.
HERE IS DR. ELIZABETH McKENNA.
>> ARIZONA HAS 160,000 UNINSURED
CHILDREN.
THE SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF
UNINSURED IN THE NATION.
WE ARE THE LARGEST PROPORTIONATE
OF THOSE KIDS ARE IN THE RANGE
OF 138 TO 200% OF THE POVERTY
LEVEL.
SO THE NEED IS VERY, VERY GREAT
IN ARIZONA.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IF THESE KIDS
DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH
CARE?
>> WHEN A CHILD DOESN'T HAVE
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, WHEN
THEY'RE SICK THEY CAN'T GO IN TO
BE SEEN BY A PHYSICIAN OR A
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
SO A MINOR ILLNESS LIKE A COLD
OR BRONCHITIS CAN TURN INTO A
MAJOR ILLNESS LIKE PNEUMONIA,
OFTENTIMES NEEDING EMERGENCY
ROOM CARE AS WELL AS MANY TIMES
HOSPITAL ADMISSION.
THIS OFTEN IS UNCOMPENSATED CARE
AND IS EXTREMELY COSTLY TO THE
STATE AND HOSPITALS.
>> HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FIRSTHAND
IN YOUR PRACTICE?
>> OH, YEAH.
I HAD A MOM JUST LAST WEEK --
WHEN KIDS DON'T HAVE HEALTH
INSURANCE THEY CAN'T GO INTO THE
DOCTOR.
SO THEY HAVE PERSIST INCIDENT
PROLONGED ILLNESS.
THEY MISS A LOT OF SCHOOL AND
THEIR PARENTS MISS WORK.
ONE PATIENT LAST WEEK, THE MOM
CALLED ME AND ASKED ME TO WRITE
A LETTER BECAUSE HER TWO -- TWO
OF HER KIDS HAD BEEN REALLY,
REALLY SICK, AND THEY HADN'T
BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
SO THE SCHOOL WAS GOING TO SEND
HER TO THE COURT BECAUSE THEY
HAD MISSED SO MUCH SCHOOL.
BUT THE REASON WHY THEY HAD
MISSED SO MUCH SCHOOL IS BECAUSE
SHE LOST HER HEALTH INSURANCE
AND WERE UNABLE TO BRING THEM TO
THE DOCTOR'S BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T
HAVE INSURANCE AND COULDN'T
AFFORD IT.
WE HAVE SEEN IT FIRSTHAND.
I HAVE -- WHEN TEMPORARY KIDS
CARE TWO ENDED IN 2014 MANY
CHILDREN OF ARIZONA'S WORKING
POOR LOST THEIR HEALTH
INSURANCE.
AND THESE ARE HARD-WORKING
FAMILIES WHO PAY TAXES, THEY
MAKE TOO MUCH FOR ACCESS BUT TOO
LITTLE FOR PRIVATE HEALTH
INSURANCE PREMIUMS.
AND WE THOUGHT INITIALLY THAT
MANY OF THOSE KIDS WOULD BE
COVERED BY THE ACA MARKETPLACE
PLANS BUT IT RAPIDLY BECAME
CLEAR THAT THE CO-PAYS AND THE
PREMIUMS AND DEDUCTIBLES WERE
PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE.
I HAVE A FAMILY IN MY PRACTICE,
AND THERE ARE FIVE KIDS.
THE FATHER IS A GROCER AND HE
MADE $20 TOO MUCH FOR ACCESS.
SO THEY COULDN'T GET ACCESS.
ONE OF THEIR KIDS WILL A SERIOUS
NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE AND WHEN
THEIR FIFTH CHILD WAS BORN IT
BECAME CLEAR HE MOST LIKELY HAD
IT AS WELL, HOWEVER, THE PARENTS
COULD NOT AFFORD TO BRING HIM TO
THE SPECIALIST FOR THE FULL
EVALUATION AND WORKUP, AND SO
THE KID WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR A
LONG TIME AND HE MISSED REALLY
NECESSARY SERVICES, PROVISION OF
SERVICES, EVALUATIONS,
MEDICINES, THAT WERE IMPORTANT
TO HIM.
THEY HAD ANOTHER CHILD THAT WAS
A CHILD WITH SPEECH DELAY, AND
THIS WASN'T DIAGNOSED UNTIL
REALLY LATE BECAUSE THEY WERE
UNABLE TO BRING THEIR CHILD IN
FOR THEIR ROUTINE HEALTH CARE
VISITS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T
AFFORD IT.
SO THE CHILD WENT REALLY LATE
WITHOUT BEING GIVEN LIKE PERFECT
THERAPY AND EVERYTHING.
SO I SEE A LOT OF IT IN OUR
PRACTICES.
>> LEGISLATORS ARE WRESTLING
OVER PROGRAMS LIKE KID CARE.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM ABOUT
THESE STORIES AND WHAT THE
OVERALL IMPACT COULD BE ON OUR
STATE IF IT'S NOT CONFRONTED?
>> KIDS CARE IS GOING TO BE 100%
PAID FOR BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY
COST TO THE STATE AT ALL FOR --
UNTIL OCTOBER 2017.
AND LIKELY FOR A FEW YEARS AFTER
THAT THROUGH 2019.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE
HEALTH OF ARIZONA TO HELP THESE
KIDS.
THE KIDS ARE NOT RECEIVING
SERVICES.
THEY HAVE SCHOOL DIFFICULTIES.
THEY HAVE PROBLEMS IN, YOU KNOW,
BEING ABLE TO GO TO SPECIALISTS
AND GET APPROPRIATE MEDICINES.
AND IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE
FAMILIES BECAUSE, WHEN THE KIDS
DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE, THE
WHOLE FAMILY IS DISRUPTED.
THE PARENTS CAN'T GO TO WORK.
IN ADDITION, WHEN THERE IS NO --
THESE KIDS CARE IS REALLY
IMPORTANT FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL
HEALTH CARE NEEDS AS WELL
BECAUSE THOSE KIDS HAVE REALLY
HIGH EXPENSES.
SOMETIMES LIKE, YOU KNOW, 15% OF
THEIR INCOME GOES TO HEALTH
CARE.
SO -- AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
THAT THESE KIDS GET TAKEN CARE
OF.
THE CHILDREN -- ARIZONA NEEDS TO
TAKE CARE OF ITS CHILDREN
BECAUSE THEY ARE ITS FUTURE.
SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT
ARIZONA PASS THIS KIDS CARE.
30,000 TO 40,000 KIDS WILL GET
COVERED WHO DIDN'T HAVE COVERAGE
BEFORE, AND THAT WILL AFFECT
EXPONENTIALLY THE WHOLE
POPULATION BECAUSE IT WILL HELP
THEIR FAMILIES, IT WILL HELP
THESE KIDS SUCCEED IN LIFE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT FOR
ARIZONA'S FUTURE IS A HEALTHY
POPULATION OF KIDS WHO HAVE
GROWN UP, BEEN ABLE TO GO TO
SCHOOL AND BEEN ABLE TO THRIVE.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO TAKE
CARE OF THE CHILDREN IN ARIZONA.
IT'S NOT A DEMOCRATIC ISSUE,
IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN ISSUE.
IT'S JUST PLAIN RIGHT TO TAKE
CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN.
>> THE CHILDREN'S ACTION
ALLIANCE IS LEADING THE PUSH FOR
WHAT'S KNOWN AS KIDS CARE.
HERE IS PRESIDENT AND CEO DANA
WOLF NAMARK.
>> WE HAVE HAD REALLY A
STATEWIDE EFFORT OF SO MANY
PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO SPEAK
UP, ASKING OUR LAWMAKERS TO LIFT
THE FREEZE ON KIDS CARE.
WE'VE HAD ENROLLMENT FROZEN
SINCE 2010.
AND NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO BRING KIDS CARE BACK TO GIVE
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE OPTIONS
TO 30,000 CHILDREN.
AND IT WOULD BE PAID FOR WITH
THE FEDERAL TAXES ARIZONANS HAVE
ALREADY PAID.
SO, IF WE DON'T DO THAT, OUR TAX
DOLLARS ACTUALLY GO TO CHILDREN
IN OTHER STATES, WHEN THE NEED
HERE IS SO GREAT AND SO HIGH.
WE WANT THOSE RESOURCES AND THAT
HELP AND THAT HEALTH CARE TO
STAY RIGHT HERE IN ARIZONA.
>> IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH
LAWMAKERS, WHAT HAVE YOU
LEARNED?
BECAUSE AS YOU HAVE SAID THERE
ARE SOME WHO BELIEVED IN IT OR
WHO DIDN'T AND NOW THEY DO.
>> WE HAVE LEARNED THAT
CONSTITUENT VOICES REALLY MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
AND WE HAVE BEEN SO INSPIRED TO
HAVE PEDIATRICIANS AND NURSES
AND TEACHERS AND WORKING PARENTS
AND BUSINESS LEADERS AND FAITH
LEADERS ALL AROUND THIS STATE,
PHILANTHROPIC LEADERS AS WELL
SPEAKING UP AND JOINING TOGETHER
SAYING WE NEED TO LIFT THE
FREEZE ON KIDS CARE.
WE'VE SEEN IT MAKE AN IMPACT.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS
LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN JANUARY
WHEN THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED HIS
BUDGET, NEVER MENTIONED KIDS
CARE.
WHEN ASKED, HE REALLY WASN'T
INTERESTED.
WE WERE VERY NERVOUS THAT WE
DIDN'T HAVE MUCH CHANCE.
BUT WE KNEW HOW IMPORTANT IT
WAS.
AND SO WE INVITED ARIZONANS TO
JOIN IN THE EFFORT, AND BOY, DID
PEOPLE RESPOND.
AND ALSO, STATE REPRESENTATIVE
REGINA COBB, WHO IS A REPUBLICAN
FROM LAKE HAVA SU CITY, SHE IS A
DENTIST, SHE RECOGNIZED
IMMEDIATELY THE CRITICAL
IMPORTANCE OF KIDS CARE.
SHE HAS SEEN PATIENTS WHO LOST
THEIR KIDS CARE COVERAGE, DIDN'T
HAVE DENTAL COVERAGE, DIDN'T
HAVE CHECKUPS AND HOW IT
AFFECTED THEIR HEALTH.
SHE HAS BEEN A PASSIONATE,
DETERMINED, FEARLESS CHAMPION OF
KIDS CARE AND SPONSORED THE BILL
THAT PASSED THE HOUSE AND SHE
HAS CONTINUED TO FIGHT FOR KIDS
CARE ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
>> DEMOCRATIC ERIC MEYER IS
HOUSE MINORITY LEADER AND HE IS
ALSO A PHYSICIAN.
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER SAYS
LAWMAKERS ARE WRESTLING OVER
NUMBERS IN THE BUDGET.
>> WELL, I THINK THE HANGUP
ESSENTIALLY HAS BEEN THE SENATE
PRESIDENT WHO DOESN'T WANT TO
SEE IT HAPPEN.
WE PASSED A BILL OUT OF THE
HOUSE WEEKS AGO WITH BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT, I THINK AROUND 50 OF
THE REPRESENTATIVES VOTED FOR
IT.
I DIDN'T SUPPORT THE CUT THAT WE
MADE WHEN WE MADE IT.
WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE
COUNTRY THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE
KIDS CARE PROGRAM.
AND AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICINE
PHYSICIAN I SEE WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN KIDS DON'T HAVE HEALTH
CARE.
THIS WILL RESTORE HEALTH CARE TO
30,000 KIDS IN OUR STATE
APPROXIMATELY.
SO WE NEED TO RESTORE THAT IF WE
WANT TO ATTRACT PEDIATRICIANS TO
OUR STATE AND ACTUALLY SAVE
TAXPAYER DOLLARS BY ALLOWING
KIDS TO GET PRIMARY CARE AND NOT
ENDING UP IN THE E.R.
IT WOULD BE A GREAT INVESTMENT.
>> AS A PHYSICIAN AND AS A
POLITICIAN YOU'RE PROBABLY
PRETTY HOPEFUL THIS WILL PASS.
>> I ACTUALLY AM HOPEFUL.
THIS YEAR.
I HAVEN'T BEEN IN PAST YEARS.
BUT I THINK THERE IS A
GROUNDSWELL AMONG RANK AND FILE
MEMBERS AND I THINK WE'LL SEE AN
AMENDMENT TO RESTORE THE
PROGRAM.
>> THE BUDGET IS REALLY CAUSING
SOME TURMOIL HERE.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THIS
WRAPPING UP THIS WEEK?
>> THERE IS A CHANCE.
I NEVER KNOW.
IT'S WHENEVER YOU GET THE 31 AND
16 VOTES AND THE GOVERNOR ON
BOARD, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL
HAPPEN.
AND WE COULD DO IT -- THE TIMING
IS SO THAT WE COULD FINISH BY
TOMORROW MORNING IF WE START
VOTING AT 12:01 FRIDAY MORNING
AND WRAP IT UP.
THAT IS AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
WAY TO DO THINGS.
I JUST LEFT A MEETING WITH A
NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE
MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE BUDGET
BUT THAT'S THE WAY THE
LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE
CHOSEN TO DO THIS.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE FOR OPENNESS,
TRANSPARENCY AND DOING THE RIGHT
THING FOR THE STATE.
>> WHAT DOES THAT DO TO TAXPAYER
ARIZONANS TRUST OF OUR
GOVERNMENT?
>> I THINK TRUST IS AT AN
ALL-TIME LOW OF POLITICIANS, FOR
GOOD REASONS.
WHEN YOU DON'T INVOLVE THE
PUBLIC IN MAKING DECISIONS THAT
IMPACT THEM, THEY GET MAD.
WE SAW THAT WITH THE ELECTIONS
KIND OF DEBACLE.
THEN WE ASKED PEOPLE TO COME
DOWN AND THEN DIDN'T WANT TO
HEAR WHAT THEY WANTED TO SAY AND
THEY GOT ANGRY.
>> HOW BIG A PART OF EDUCATION
IN THE BUDGET?
>> WE'RE NOT FUNDING THAT.
WE'RE FUNDING DCS.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO
UNIVERSITIES WE'RE GIVING $5
MILLION FOR A FREEDOM SCHOOL,
WHICH IS JUST, YOU KNOW, A THINK
TANK THAT ESPOUSES GETTING RID
OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
IT MAKES NO SENSE.
WE SHOULD BE DIRECTLY FOCUSING
ON THINGS THAT HAVE REDUCED
COLLEGE TUITION FOR OUR STUDENTS
ACROSS THE STATE AND THEN INVEST
IN K-12 SO THAT WE CAN REDUCE
CLASS SIZE.
WE HAVE A TEACHER RETENTION
PROBLEM THAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEED
TO ADDRESS.
>> THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH MORE
MONEY TO PUT INTO K THROUGH 12
FUNDING AND WHAT WILL THE
NUMBERS LOOK LIKE IF PROPOSITION
123 PASSES IN MAY'S SPECIAL
ELECTION.
THE REPUBLICAN CHAIR OF THE
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
>> IT'S FOUR COMPONENTS.
SMALL SCHOOL WEIGHT OR
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR
SCHOOLS THAT ARE SMALLER ON
PURPOSE.
DISTRICT SPONSORED CHARTER
SCHOOLS, CURRENT-YEAR FUNDING.
THAT'S A MAJOR ISSUE.
THEN INVISIBLE SPACE.
THOSE FOUR COMPONENTS ARE REALLY
WHAT'S HOLDING UP THE BUDGET
PROCESS RIGHT NOW.
>> HOW DOES PROP 123 PLAY A
ROLE, IF ANY, IN THE BUDGET?
>> I THINK IT'S MORE OF A
PERCEPTION FROM THOSE WHO ARE,
YOU KNOW, ON THE OUTSIDE PAYING
ATTENTION.
FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE I THINK
THEY BOTH NEED TO PASS.
JUST BECAUSE THE K-12 APPROACH
AT THE LEGISLATURE IS A HOLD
HARMLESS APPROACH.
WE DON'T WANT TO HURT EDUCATION.
SOME OF THE CUTS IMPLEMENTED
FROM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET WE DON'T
WANT TO SEE PHASED INTO THIS
YEAR'S BUDGET.
THEN, OF COURSE, PROP 123.
I THINK FOLKS LOOK FROM THE
OUTSIDE AND SAY WE'LL VOTE ON
PROP 123 BASED ON WHAT YOU DO ON
THIS BUDGET.
BECAUSE, OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW,
MAY 17th IS THE ELECTION.
IF WE VOTE ON A BUDGET THAT
DOESN'T PROTECT K-12 EDUCATION
THERE IS A FEAR, IN SOME CASES
IT MIGHT BE LEGITIMATE, THAT THE
LEGISLATURE AS A WHOLE DOESN'T
PRIORITIZE EDUCATION.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY TO
CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE BUT ALSO
TO CHANGE THE POLICY AND MAKE
SURE THAT WE DO PROTECT K-12
EDUCATION.
>> YOU'RE ALSO A TEACHER.
>> YEAH.
>> SO PERSONALLY THERE IS A
CONNECTION TO THIS ISSUE FOR
YOU.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT THAT
THIS PASS AND THAT EDUCATION
CONTINUE TO GET THE FUNDING THAT
YOU SAY IT NEEDS?
>> WELL, I THINK IT DOES TWO
THINGS.
NOT ONLY DOES IT PROVIDE
$3.5 BILLION OVER TEN YEARS FOR
K-12 EDUCATION THAT GOES INTO
THE BASE SO WE LET EACH DISTRICT
AND CHARTER DECIDE THIS IS WHERE
THE MONEY WILL GO.
WE'RE NOT DICTATING IT HAS TO BE
EAR MARKED FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE.
IT ALSO RESOLVES THE LAURT.
THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING
LAWSUIT SINCE 2010 WHERE A JUDGE
SAID THAT THE STATE OF ARIZONA
OWES $3.8 BILLION.
IT RESOLVES THAT, PROVIDES
CERTAINTY AND GETS THE
MUCH-NEEDED MONEY INTO SCHOOLS.
>> WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO YOU
ENVISION HAPPENING IF THIS
EDUCATION FUNDING GOES THROUGH
AND THEN PROP 123?
DOES IT CHANGE ARIZONA'S FACE OF
EDUCATION?
>> WELL, PERSONALLY I'LL BE
DOING CARTWHEELS.
NO, I THINK THERE IS STILL WORK
WE NEED TO DO.
I THINK WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE A
LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE THAT WE
REALLY WANT TO PROTECT K-12 AND
UNIVERSITY FUNDING AS WELL BUT
IN PARTICULAR K-12 EDUCATION.
AND THAT MEANS PROP 301 EXPIRES
IN 2021.
WE NEED A LONG-TERM, SERIOUS
CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE
EDUCATION COMMUNITY, WITH THE
LEADERSHIP, WITH THE GOVERNOR,
ON ARE WE GOING TO EXTEND IT,
ARE WE GOING TO EXPAND IT, WHAT
CAN WE DO TO PROVIDE EVEN MORE
CERTAINTY TO SCHOOLS.
>> IS THIS REALLY A QUESTION OF
HOW ARIZONA VALUES EDUCATION?
>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WE HAVE
1.2 MILLION STUDENTS IN THE
STATE OF ARIZONA.
WE ARE A GROWTH STATE.
SO WE DO SPEND 43% OF ALL STATE
SPENDING ON K-12 EDUCATION.
IT'S THE SINGLE LARGEST
BUDGETARY ITEM IN STATE
SPENDING, SO THERE IS CERTAINLY
A PRIORITY THERE.
BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN DO MORE.
>> YOU'RE IN A CLASSROOM.
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO TEACHERS
AND STUDENTS NEED TO CONTINUE TO
BE SUCCESSFUL?
>> THEY NEED A FEW THINGS.
THE SALARY, OF COURSE, IS
SOMEWHAT ARGUE NUMBER ONE.
THEY NEED TO BE SUPPORTED.
THEY NEED GOOD ADMINISTRATORS,
GOOD PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT
PRINCIPALS.
THEY NEED TO KNOW THEIR VOICES
MATTER WHEN THEY RAISE THEM TO
THEIR PRINCIPALS.
FOR MY SCHOOL I NEED MAPS.
I TEACH HISTORY.
BUT THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT.
WE JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT -- I
THINK TO COMMUNICATE A CERTAINTY
THAT THE LEGISLATURE, THAT WE
HAVE YOUR BACK.
>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE
SPLIT WHEN IT COMES TO
EDUCATION.
I SPOKE WITH REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE TJ SHOPE, HE IS
ALSO A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.
>> YOU ARE PUSHING FOR MORE
K-THROUGH 12 EDUCATION FUNDING.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS IS
THERE IS ACTUALLY A MAJORITY OF
THE CAUCUS IN THE REPUBLICAN
SIDE IN THE HOUSE THAT'S PUSHING
FOR MORE K-$12.
I THINK WE'VE LOOKED AT THE
BUDGET THIS YEAR, AT LEAST
LEADERSHIP HAS, AND I AM NOT
GOING TO KNOCK THEM.
THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY THINK
THEY NEED TO DO, HOWEVER, I
THINK THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT AT THE VERY LEAST K-12 IS
HELD HARMLESS FOR THIS YEAR'S
BUDGET.
LOOKING AT LAST YEAR'S.
>> A LEGISLATURE ALWAYS TAKES
HEAT FROM THE PUBLIC WHEN IT
COMES TO FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.
WHAT DON'T MOST MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S
HAPPENING HERE DURING THIS
SESSION?
>> RIGHT.
FIRST OFF, I THINK, YES, YOU'RE
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
LEGISLATURE OFTEN DOES TAKE HEAT
FOR K-12 OR FOR ANY KIND OF
EDUCATION.
WHAT MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC,
WHEN I SPEAK TO FOLKS, AND I GO
OUT ALL THE TIME -- IS IT'S
ABOUT HALF OF THE BUDGET.
SO WE CAN ARGUE ABOUT THE PIE
SIZE, PERHAPS, AND THAT IS
PROBABLY RIPE FOR DISCUSSION
ACROSS MANY SPECTRES OF THOUGHT.
AS FAR AS THE SLICE OF THE PAY
THAT EDUCATION GETS, IT'S HALF
OF THE BUDGET, SO WE DO TAKE IT
SERIOUSLY.
I TAKE IT SERIOUSLY PERSONALLY.
I DOUBLE AS A SCHOOL BOARD
PRESIDENT IN COOLIDGE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS A
TOPIC OF CONVERSATION FOR MOST
OF THE MEMBERS BECAUSE WE KNOW
THAT IT IS THE LARGEST SINGLE
ISSUE IN THE STATE BUDGET ON A
YEAR BY YEAR BASIS.
>> WHAT IF PROP 123 DOES NOT
PASS?
HOW DOES THAT CHANGE THINGS?
>> WOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE A
VERY AWFUL THING TO HAPPEN TO
EDUCATION IN THIS STATE IF 123
DOESN'T PASS.
I HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF
MAKING SURE THAT IT DOES.
I BELIEVE IN IT WHOLE HEARTEDLY.
AS A GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER, AS
I MENTIONED, OF A SCHOOL
DISTRICT, WE ARE COUNTING ON
THAT.
MY SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ONE OF
THE ONES LAST YEAR THAT WAS ABLE
TO GIVE A 5% RAISE TO TEACHERS.
WE HEAR IT ALL THE TIME, WHETHER
IT'S CONSERVATIVES, WHETHER IT'S
FOLKS ON THE LIBERAL SIDE OF THE
EQUATION, WE WANT DOLLARS TO GO
INTO THE CLASSROOM TO MAKE SURE
THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE GETTING
PAID.
THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO
ACTUALLY DO THAT, PAY THE STAFF
THAT'S THERE TEACHING OUR KIDS.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE
THAT 123 IN THE FALL AS ENTICING
FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS POSSIBLE
BY MAKING SURE THAT THERE WERE
NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
THEY WILL GET TO DETERMINE.
THE GENERAL PUBLIC THEN WILL
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, BY
INFLUENCING THEIR LOCAL ELECTED
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS, OF
WHERE THOSE DOLLARS SHOULD GO.
I HAVE A STRANGE HUNCH THAT MOST
OF THOSE DOLLARS WILL GO INTO
THE CLASSROOM IN THE FORM OF
WHETHER IT'S TEACHER SALAIES OR
MAKING SURE THAT TEACHERS IN
SOME DISTRICTS THAT I REPRESENT
MAYBE HAVE HAD TO TAKE ON ADDED
COSTS OF HEALTH INSURANCE,
THINGS LIKE THAT, SO MAYBE SOME
OF THOSE FEES WILL BE WAIVED AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
YEAH, IF 123 DOESN'T PASS, THEN
WE'RE BACK IN COURT TWO TO THREE
YEARS DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL THERE
IS A RESOLUTION.
I WANT THE MONEY TO GO TO THE
KIDS RIGHT NOW.
>> ANOTHER BUDGET ITEM IS FOR
THE BORDER STRIKE FORCE, MORE
MONEY FOR BORDER ENFORCEMENT.
A FEW WEEKS AGO SENATOR JOHN
CAVANAUGH FROM THE SENATE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND I
TALKED ABOUT THE $30 MILLION
PRICE TAG.
>> IT WILL BE FUNDED.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT WILL GET THE
FULL $31.5 MILLION.
THE RECENT RESTORATION OF THE
J-TED MONEY BASICALLY TOOK THE
BUDGET NUMBER FOR THAT FROM 10
MILLION TO 30 MILLION.
THE OTHER 20 MILLION HAS TO BE
FOUND SOMEWHERE, AND WE ARE NOT
INCREASING TAXES, SO I SUSPECT
THAT IT WILL BE WHITTLED FROM
DIFFERENT PLACES.
THIS IS A PRETTY BIG ASK, $31
MILLION.
IT'S MAYBE SOMETHING THAT COULD
BE PHASED IN OVER TWO YEARS
INSTEAD OF ONE, SO I SUSPECT A
LITTLE BIT MIGHT BE CHIPPED OFF
THIS.
>> SOME OF THE CRITICISM THAT WE
HEAR IS THAT THERE ARE OTHER
BORDER RESOURCES IN THE STATE,
WHY SHOULD THE STATE BE FUNDING
SO MUCH OF THIS.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?
>> WELL, THERE ACTUALLY ARE NOT
TOO MANY ORGANIZED BORDER
RESOURCES.
WE HAVE SEEN A TSUNAMI OF DRUGS
AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND
SMUGGLERS COMING OVER THE
BORDER.
SO IT'S A TERRIBLY POROUS, UNDER
PATROLLED BORDER.
YOU PROBABLY NEED $100 MILLION
TO PROPERLY POLICE IT.
EVEN WITH THIS FULL FUNDING, WE
WOULDN'T BE ALL THE WAY TO A
SECURE BORDER.
>> SOME OF THE CRITICS HAVE SAID
THAT THIS MONEY COULD BE BETTER
SPENT ON THINGS LIKE EDUCATION.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS THERE?
>> WELL, YOU CAN ALWAYS SAY YOU
CAN SPEND MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF
YOU'RE NOT SAFE, THEN AN
EDUCATION DOESN'T HELP YOU
BECAUSE YOU MIGHT BE DEAD.
SO WE HAVE TO TAKE PUBLIC SAFETY
AS A PRIORITY IN ADDITION TO
EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY.
>> YOUR BACKGROUND IS IN LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT
TO YOU AND SOME LEGISLATORS,
THOUGH YOU SAID YOU DON'T HAVE
TO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE
GRAVITY OF THIS SITUATION.
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.
I SUPPOSE SOMEBODY WITH A LAW
ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND, HAVING
SEEN THE VICTIMS OF CRIME, IS A
BIT MORE SENSITIVE TO THE NEED
TO CONTROL CRIME.
BUT EVERYONE REALIZES THAT --
WE'RE NOT TALKING JUST ABOUT
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HERE.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
PRIMARILY FROM THIS STRIKE FORCE
IS DRUG SMUGGLING.
THE DRUGS KILL OUR CHILDREN AND
ADULTS.
HUMAN SMUGGLING.
PROSTITUTION.
THERE IS A LOT OF MISERY THAT
COMES ACROSS THIS BORDER BY
ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GROUPS AND
DRUG CARTELS.
>> WE'VE HEARD THAT ARIZONA IS
GROUND ZERO WHEN IT COMES TO
DRUG AND HUMAN SMUGGLING.
WHAT ARE YOU HEARING THAT'S MOST
STRIKING IN THE BRIEFINGS ABOUT
WHAT'S HAPPENING ALONG OUR
BORDER?
>> THE OPEN DOOR THAT IT IS.
THERE IS LITERALLY NO STOPPING
THESE PEOPLE.
AND THAT THEY WALK ACROSS THE
DESERT ALL THE WAY UP.
WE LITERALLY HAVE NO CONTROL
OVER WHAT'S GOING ON OR VERY
LITTLE CONTROL OVER WHAT'S GOING
ON.
PARTS OF -- THE ENTIRE SOUTHERN
HALF OF THE STATE THERE ARE
DANGER ZONES THAT PEOPLE DON'T
WANT TO GO INTO.
SO WE NEED TO GET CONTROL BACK
OF OUR STATE.
PEOPLE NEED TO BE SAFE.
AND WE NEED TO KEEP THE DRUGS
OUT.
>> SENATOR CAVANAUGH SAYS THE
BORDER STRIKE FORCE WILL MOSTLY
BE FUNDED BUT IT'S STILL UNCLEAR
WHAT THE FINAL FIGURE IS.
A LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP NOW IN THE
BUZZ.
>>> THE ARIZONA CAPITAL TIMES,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS REALLY
THE STORY OF THIS LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
>> IT'S ALL ABOUT SCHOOL
FUNDING.
ALL ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION.
AND THE MONEY THAT GOES TO
SCHOOLS.
OR WILL GO TO SCHOOLS.
OR THE MONEY THAT MAY NOT GO TO
SCHOOL.
THAT REALLY IS THE -- THE GIST
OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> SO ARE LAWMAKERS TRAINING TO
SOLVE THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WITH
RESPECT TO WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN
MAY'S SPECIAL ELECTION?
>> IT CERTAINLY IS A BIG PART OF
THIS BUDGET.
THIS BUDGET PRESUMES, FOR
EXAMPLE, THAT THE VOTERS WILL
APPROVE PROPOSITION 123.
THERE IS ABOUT $50 MILLION IN
FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT --
THAT PRESUMES THAT THE VOTERS
WILL SAY YES, GO AHEAD, THIS
PROPOSITION THAT SETTLES THIS
LAWSUIT.
IT'S A GOOD THING, AND YOU CAN
GO AHEAD AND TAKE MONEY OUT OF
THE STATE LAND TRUST.
>> SO KIDS CARE, EDUCATION
CONTINUE TO BE SOME OF THE MAIN
STICKING POINTS OUT OF THIS
SESSION.
WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT WHAT'S
HAPPENING IN THE STATE AND WHAT
LAWMAKERS NEED TO CONSIDER AS
THEY MAKE DECISIONS?
>> EDUCATION HAS BEEN, OF
COURSE, A VERY BIG ISSUE IN THE
STATE FOR ETERNITY, IF YOU WILL,
FOR A LONG TIME.
BUT LAST THREE, FOUR YEARS OR SO
WE HAVE SEEN THE STATE REALLY
TAKE A LOOK AT EDUCATION AND SAY
WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE IT.
THE REASON FOR THAT ARE A
COMBINATION OF THINGS.
ONE IS THAT WE HAVE HAD REPORTS
ABOUT RANKINGS OF PUPIL FUNDING
THAT SHOW THAT THE STATE IS
LAGGING BEHIND 48 STATES OR 47
STATES OR 49 STATES IF YOU ASK
SOME.
THAT'S ONE PART OF IT.
THE OTHER PART OF IT IS THAT THE
ECONOMY IS IMPROVING.
THERE IS MORE MONEY THAT THE
STATE IS GETTING.
WE'RE ANTICIPATING GETTING ABOUT
$620 MILLION, $630 MILLION MORE
IN WHAT WE CALL CASH BALANCES
FOR FISCAL YEAR '17.
THAT'S MONEY WE CAN USE AS A
ONE-TIME AMOUNT.
SOME OF IT COULD BE USED FOR
ONGOING SPENDING.
SO THERE IS THAT PART OF IT.
THE BIGGEST PART, I THINK, IS
THE GOVERNOR THIS YEAR IN HIS
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
SAYING, LOOK, WE HAVE TO SETTLE
THIS K-12 INFLATION LITIGATION
THAT WE HAVE.
THE SENSE THAT HE GAVE IS THAT
THERE IS THIS NARRATIVE THAT
WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH FOR THE
SCHOOLS.
LET'S PUT A STOP TO THAT.
THAT WAS THE SENSE, THAT WAS THE
IMPRESSION THAT HE GAVE.
AS A RESULT OF THAT WE NOW HAVE,
AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS
SETTLEMENT IN PROPOSITION 123.
>> ARE LAWMAKERS SORT OF WAITING
TO SEE WHAT THE FEELING IS, THE
GENERAL SENSE IN ARIZONA WHEN IT
COMES TO PROP 123?
BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE
TO WAIT AND SEE BUT THEY CAN'T
WAIT UNTIL THE END OF MAY.
>> RIGHT.
THE BUDGET IS TYPICALLY PASSED
BETWEEN MARCH AND FIRST COUPLE
OF WEEKS OF APRIL.
AND WE ARE NOW GETTING INTO THE
END OF THE MONTH.
WE STILL DON'T HAVE A BUDGET.
WE AVOID PASSING THE BUDGET
EARLY FOR MANY REASONS.
AGENCIES HAVE TO MAKE THEIR
BUDGETS, AND IF THEY HAVE THE
NUMBERS FIRMED UP EARLY ON,
THAT'S GOOD FOR THEM.
BUT ALSO IT'S REALLY GOOD FOR
THE SCHOOLS TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE
GOING TO GET, EARLY.
THAT'S WHY EACH YEAR THEY TRY TO
PASS THE BUDGET, YOU KNOW, AS
FAST AS WE THEY CAN.
OF COURSE, THE BUDGET IS THE
ONLY THING THEY REALLY IS
CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED TO DO.
EVERY OTHER LAW IS -- THEY DON'T
HAVE TO DO ANY OF THOSE.
>> YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING THE
LEGISLATURE FOR A WHILE NOW.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS SET
OF LAWMAKERS THAT YOU HAVEN'T
SEEN IN THE PAST?
>> THIS YEAR THERE IS NOT A
WHOLE LOT OF CONTROVERSY THAT
EMANATES FROM BILLS DEALING WITH
IMMIGRATION OR SOCIAL
CONSERVATIVE ISSUES.
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN MORE POLICY
ORIENTED.
THAT'S A RESULT OF THE CONSENSUS
IS CHANGING AND WE'VE HAD MORE
OF A CHANCE TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE
WANT TO DO FOR KIDS, FOR
EXAMPLE, EVEN FOR KIDS CARE, BUT
SPECIFICALLY K-12 EDUCATION
BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD MORE MONEY
COMING IN THAN WE'VE HAD IN THE
PAST.
AND ANOTHER REASON FOR THAT IS
THAT I THINK THE STATE HAS DONE
OR HAS TRIED TO DO WHAT IT COULD
ON THE IMMIGRATION FRONT, FOR
EXAMPLE, WITH 1070.
AND THE COURT SAID, YOU KNOW, WE
CAN'T REALLY DO A WHOLE LOT.
AND I THINK THERE IS AN
UNDERSTANDING AMONG LAWMAKERS,
EVEN AMONG THOSE WHO SUPPORT
1070 TYPE OF MEASURES, THAT
WE'VE DONE WHAT WE COULD, AND
EITHER WE END UP IN LITIGATION
AGAIN AND LOSE OR SOME OF THE
MEMBERS PROBABLY WON'T GO ALONG.
AND THOSE BILLS WILL PROBABLY
JUST DIE, YOU KNOW, ON THE
SENATE FLOOR OR ON THE HOUSE
FLOOR.
SO THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF
APPETITE FOR THOSE KINDS OF
MEASURES.
AND OF COURSE, AS I MENTIONED,
THE GOVERNOR IS REALLY FOCUSED
ON IMPROVING THE IMAGE OF THE
STATE.
I THINK TO A CERTAIN EXTENT HE
HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO
PREVENT THOSE TYPES OF BILLS
FROM REACHING HIS DESK, WHICH IS
ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE JOB OF THE
GOVERNOR.
IF HE DOESN'T WANT SOMETHING, HE
DOES HIS BEST TO KILL IT BEFORE
REACHING HIS DESK.
>> AS OF OUR FRIDAY AFTERNOON
RECORDING, ARIZONA LAWMAKERS
STILL HAD NOT SUBMITTED A FINAL
BUDGET.
ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA WILL
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE
LEGISLATURE'S PROGRESS AND ANY
UPDATES WILL BE POSTED ON OUR
WEBSITE.
NEXT WEEK AN INTERVIEW WITH THE
GOVERNOR.
FOR ALL OF US AT ARIZONA PUBLIC
MEDIA I'M LORRAINE RIVERA.