🚀 go-pugleaf

PHOENIX - As national leaders rev up the debate on border 
security and immigration reform, Arizona Democrats are fighting 
a losing battle in the Legislature to reopen the discussion on 
how this border state treats illegal immigrants.

Democratic lawmakers complain Arizona's tough immigration law is 
an embarrassment to the state that hurts tourism and stifles 
economic development.

But even they concede that efforts to repeal the 2010 law have 
no chance in the Republican-led Legislature.

"They are telling us absolutely no," said state Sen. Steve 
Gallardo, who is pushing a bill to overturn Senate Bill 1070 for 
the second consecutive year. "I believe the vast majority of 
Arizonans believe SB 1070 is the worst piece of legislation ever 
passed.

Gallardo and State Representative John Kavanagh butted heads 
briefly and somewhat comically outside the Senate building when 
Gallardo interrupted his address to the press. Democrats are 
trying to introduce bills in both the House and the Senate.

"Why not hear it?" asked Gallardo and Kavanagh pushed back 
asking if Gallardo had suddenly become part of the press. �This 
is the place to debate it," said Kavanagh. "It is not legitimate 
legislation."

Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that three of 
the four most contentious parts of the law were 
unconstitutional, Republican leaders argue the law is good 
policy and does what it is supposed to do -- go after illegal 
immigrants.

"They lost. Get used to it. The people of America want a secure 
border," Rep. John Kavanagh, one of the Republican leaders 
behind the immigration law, told reporters outside the Senate 
Thursday. "1070 delivered what it promised to deliver."

The most contentious part of Arizona's law required police to 
question people's immigration status while enforcing other laws. 
That provision was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Democrats hold little power in the Republican-led Legislature, 
and they know it.

Gallardo joined several other Democratic and Hispanic lawmakers 
at a news conference Thursday designed to bring their case 
against the immigration law to the public.

Gallardo said GOP leaders won't let his bill be heard in 
committee. House Rep.

Sally Ann Gonzales said her immigration reform bill wasn't even 
assigned to a committee.

Both said they need the public's support to force debate at the 
Legislature.

"We should not have to wait for these lawsuits," Gallardo said. 
"Let's have this bill repealed now."

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoen
ix/Arizona-Democrats-push-to-repeal-SB-1070

Get screwed beaner lovers.

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