Capitol Quotes: Dec. 16, 2011

This week's most outstanding quips, jibes and utterances.

Courting immigration

With U.S. Supreme Court taking on SB1070, illegal border crossers are back in campaign spotlight

Just as the founders intended

Still stewing over the Pearce recall, Antenori told our reporter yesterday he’s meeting with Republican activists on Friday to plan revenge.

Pearce still stinging from loss; says he’s working to ‘forgive’ Lewis

Former Senate President Russell Pearce says he is disappointed with the man who ousted him from office, but that he is working on forgiveness.

“I’m not a hateful guy. It’s difficult with the dishonesty that took place in that campaign. It’s disappointing, a lot of things that happened in the campaign. I tend to get over things, so we’ll work on that. I should forgive him, so w[...]

Group wants county to seek Arpaio’s resignation

Roughly 100 opponents of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio turned out at a meeting of Maricopa County officials Wednesday to urge the officials to call for his resignation amid reports of botched sex-crime investigations and other problems in his department.

That should go over well

Gallardo told our reporter that legislators can bring two guests for the opening day of session in the House chamber, where Brewer will give her state address. So he’s bringing a familiar figure – activist Randy Parraz.

Brewer on SB1070 appeal: ‘I like our chances’

Gov. Jan Brewer is confident that the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold Arizona’s landmark illegal immigration law.

The Supreme Court today announced that it would hear Arizona’s appeal of a 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that SB1070 is unconstitutional because it is preempted by federal law.

Counties plan to lobby against giving money to state budget

Maricopa County has decided to push back against the multi-million dollar contributions the state has forced it and four other counties to provide during the past three fiscal years to help fill holes in the budget.

Self preservation: Lawmakers lament recall process, want to make it more difficult

Still shaken from the successful recall of Senate President Russell Pearce, some lawmakers are seeking to make it more difficult for voters to oust politicians from office.

One Pearce ally plans to sponsor legislation that would require recall organizers to obtain signatures from a majority of registered voters in a district — an unprecedented proposal that would far exceed signature [...]

Lewis raises $85K

Sen. Jerry Lewis raised almost $85,000 in his successful campaign to defeat former Senate President Russell Pearce earlier this month. Lewis spent all of it, based on his latest campaign report to the Arizona Secretary of State.

Protests planned against conservative lawmakers

Community members and organizations are planning protests Wednesday against groups of conservative lawmakers meeting in Scottsdale. Various organizations ranging from labor to civil rights groups plan to protest against the American Legislative Exchange Council's States and Nation Summit.

Loophole enables groups to conceal sources of electioneering money

The elections last month exposed what appears to be a gaping hole in Arizona’s campaign finance laws: The inability of elections officials to force groups to register as political committees or report their spending.