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Lawmakers want Arizona border fence started
Members of the Arizona Legislature's border security advisory committee want the state to begin building a mile of fencing along the border with Mexico even though it has raised only a fraction of the needed money.
Smith ’emboldened’ by minority opinions
Kavanagh may not have been bullish on the prospects for a revival of the 2011 immigration bills that failed, but Smith said he not only plans to bring his bills back, he is hopeful that Monday’s ruling will reignite anti-illegal-immigration fervor at the Capitol. “I would certainly like to think that people would be emboldened by the decision, especially when you read what Scalia and Thomas wr[...]
Pearce allies: Cut him $250K check for recall costs
Former Senate President Russell Pearce is facing a wealthy opponent in this year’s elections, but his campaign could receive a six-figure windfall from the state treasury if some Republican lawmakers have their way.
Constitutionality of recall election changes questioned
Following the historic recall of former Senate President Russell Pearce, the ousted immigration hawk’s legislative allies are striving to change the state’s recall process to make it more difficult to remove elected officials. But the effort to add a primary election to the process has run into some obstacles.
Smith vows to push more immigration bills, despite limited success
Sen. Steve Smith said he doesn’t care how Arizona lawmakers try to stop illegal immigration, and that he supports any action taken to stop it. “Any attention to securing our borders and fighting illegal immigration is good,” Smith said. “I’ve introduced bills to do both. I will continue to introduce bills that do both... I’m going to continue on both fronts as long as I’m here.”
Border Bound: Immigration hawks take battle south — push for fence, militia
During the past several years, the Republican-led Legislature has passed some of the county’s toughest laws aimed at driving illegal immigrants from the state and deterring them from entering it.
For the most part, those laws have focused on enforcement within the state’s boundaries.
Now the strategy has shifted, and immigration hawks in the Legislature are taking their fight dir[...]
Report: Number of illegal immigrants in AZ dropped
A new report by the federal government estimates that the number of illegal immigrants living in Arizona has fallen by 200,000 since 2008. Experts say the primary factor behind the exodus was a lack of jobs during the recession, but also noted that tighter border enforcement and tough immigration laws were contributing factors.
Arizona mulls drug testing for jobless benefits
State officials warn that legislation to require drug testing for all people applying for unemployment benefits conflicts with federal rules and law.
Senate OKs recall elections overhaul
The Senate today approved legislation that could make it more difficult for voters to remove lawmakers from office. The measure stems from the defeat of then-Sen. Russell Pearce, the architect of SB1070 and major anti-illegal immigration laws in Arizona, following a successful recall effort last year.
Capitol Quotes: Feb. 17, 2012
This week's most outstanding quips, jibes and utterances.
Immigration measures stuck in committees
Two anti-illegal immigration bills that were among a slew of measures last session that divided the Senate Republican caucus are stuck in committee and the odds of their passage appear dim.
Sen. Smith makes way for Melvin; will run in House
Sen. Steve Smith, a Republican from Maricopa, has reached a deal with a colleague to run for the House, a move that avoids what could have been a bruising primary slugfest for the Senate seat.
