KJZZ Here and Now Weblog

Here and Now - AG Terry Goddard, 'The Arizona We Want'

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard joins host Steve Goldstein Wednesday. On the agenda: an update on what the state is doing to crack down on fraudulent loan modification scams; why he's hesitant to join the fray of other attorneys general who are raising legal concerns with the federal health care reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate; state budget cuts and how his agency will absorb more likely spending cuts; plus your phone calls and questions.

Last fall, we had Lattie Coor and retired Pinnacle West CEO Bill Post on to talk about a new effort to create a citizen agenda in Arizona called 'The Arizona We Want.' That discussion focused on the results of a new survey that measured the attachments of Arizonans to their communities and what issues they value as most important to them.

Now, we check in with Lattie Coor and Sybil Francis about the progress being made on the campaign, as it has been introduced to communities and organizations around the state. You can visit The Arizona We Want website to learn more about the effort.

Here and Now - Attorney General Terry Goddard, AZ Board of Regents President Ernest Calderón

Terry Goddard is the likely democratic candidate to run for Governor in 2010. But that's not why we're bringing him on. We want to find out what's being done about foreclosures and mortgage fraud. He blasted banks last month for not doing enough to refinanced troubled loans. We also want to get his analysis of what the Department of Homeland Security is doing to improve safety along the border and find out what his office is up to along those lines. (If he is running for governor, he's got to love how Republicans have failed to reach agreement on resolving the budget deficit, which only makes them look bad come election time, but I digress.)

Let us know what you'll like to see Arizona's top law enforcement officer asked.

Ever see those ads for Southwest Airlines where somebody does something stupid or embarrassing? Am I the only person raising a hand? Well, in booking the new president of the Arizona Board of Regents, I did my best to give Ernest Calderón a heart attack.

I first inquired about having him come on Here and Now six weeks ago to discuss the significant issues facing higher education (mostly to do with money).

When we added a new Friday Here and Now I somehow put the date of the new show just above his name on my scheduling calender. And then sent him an email suggesting I had him booked for Friday, August 14th when he was really scheduled for Wednesday August 19th. (Yes, journalists are human, and we make mistakes). After he caught the screw up, I sent him another email just to confirm we had him scheduled for Wednesday, August 21. Wednesday is the 19th, not 21st. Friday is the 21st. Needless to say I dashed to the Southwest Airlines website looking for a 'Wanna Get Away' fare only to realize I'm kinda stuck here for a while until I can get more than one day off in a row. So for now, I can blame the mishap on exhaustion, the hot weather, or my post graduate degree from one of Arizona's esteemed public universities. I don't think our guest would like option 'c.'

Have a question about Arizona's public universities? The cost? The effectiveness? The poor excuse of asphalt that makes up what are supposed to be streets on the University of Arizona campus? It is U of A of course, which any self-respecting Sun Devil inherently knows is inferior. But, yet again, I digress.

Your comments, questions, and lowered opinions about the producer of this fine show are welcome.

Here and Now - Light Rail / Arizona Attorney General

Phoenix City Councilman Tom Simplot joins Here and Now to discuss issues related to light rail. The transit system just celebrated its first 100 days. While ridership is higher than projected, light rail has had a few run-ins, so to speak, not just with cars, but with faulty fare readers that have not secured payment, thus costing the system a couple hundred thousand dollars in lost fares.

Oh, and no sooner does light rail debut in the valley then the cost to ride will double. We'll talk to Councilman Simplot about what's behind that.

Attorney General Terry Goddard joins Here and Now to discuss the latest issues his office is working on, including helping stop gun smuggling into Mexico.

Your questions and comments for Councilman Simplot and Attorney General Goddard are welcome!

Here an Now - Attorney General Terry Goddard

Attorney General Terry Goddard is the top law enforcement officer in the state. Goddard's office is going after immigrant smugglers by intercepting wire transfers used for payment. The office also prosecutes consumer fraud cases and educates the public about the latest scams.

Your questions and comments are welcome!

Here and Now: Terry Goddard

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard will talk about the issues facing his office Wednesday, August 8 from 11am to noon. Goddard's office sponsors a new campaign aimed at reducing teenage addiction to Crystal Methamphetamine. AG investigators are currently looking into mail sent to seniors in an effort to stop scams aimed at that age group. The AG will soon hold crime forums around the state.

But some have questioned the performance of Terry Goddard. Critics say that Goddard's office is reaching in its probe of illegal human smuggling by asking for financial wire transfer records from other states and Mexico. Others have raised questions about his office's handling of the investigation of former state treasurer David Peterson.

Have a question or comment for the Attorney General? Post it below! Or call live on Wednesday, August 8 from 11 am to noon.

Terry Goddard

 Listen to the previously aired show

Terry Ward talks with Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.

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