Governor Brewer calls Supreme Court decision a victory

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

 

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Upholds Heart of SB 1070

 

“Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for the rule of law. It is also a victory for the 10^th Amendment and all Americans who believe in the inherent right and responsibility of states to defend their citizens. After more than two years of legal challenges, the heart of SB 1070 can now be implemented in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.

 

“While we are grateful for this legal victory, today is an opportunity to reflect on our journey and focus upon the true task ahead: the implementation and enforcement of this law in an even-handed manner that lives up to our highest ideals as American citizens. I know the State of Arizona and its law enforcement officers are up to the task. The case for SB 1070 has always been about our support for the rule of law. That means every law, including those against both illegal immigration and racial profiling. Law enforcement will be held accountable should this statute be misused in a fashion that violates an individual’s civil rights.

            “The last two years have been spent in preparation for this ruling. Upon signing SB 1070 in 2010, I issued an Executive Order directing the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) to develop and provide training to ensure our officers are prepared to enforce this law efficiently, effectively and in a manner consistent with the Constitution. In recent days, in anticipation of this decision, I issued a new Executive Order asking that this training be made available once again to all of Arizona’s law enforcement officers. I am confident our officers are prepared to carry out this law responsibly and lawfully. Nothing less is acceptable.

 

“Of course, today’s ruling does not mark the end of our journey. It can be expected that legal challenges to SB 1070 and the State of Arizona will continue. Our critics are already preparing new litigation tactics in response to their loss at the Supreme Court, and undoubtedly will allege inequities in the implementation of the law. As I said two years ago on the day I signed SB 1070 into law, ‘We cannot give them that chance. We must use this new tool wisely, and fight for our safety with the honor Arizona deserves.’”

VOW to Hire Heroes Act signed into law

Historic Day for Veterans

White House, Washington D.C., Nov. 21, 2011 - This morning, President Obama will sign into law the “VOW to Hire Heroes Act”.  This bill provides practical support to transition our vets from combat to careers, by offering employees tax credits for hiring veterans. 
This bill will help veterans like Jason, an Army officer in Iraq who managed hundreds of reconstruction projects (worth millions of dollars) for the military but could not find a job once he returned.

Read his story and find out why these credits are so important to veterans.

Arizona Appeals Court lifts injunction on abortion regulations

Governor Jan Brewer: "This is a great day for Arizona women and parents."

Statement by Governor Brewer: “This is a great day for Arizona women and parents.

The 2009 Abortion Consent Act empowers women by giving them the objective information they need prior to deciding whether to have an abortion. Women deserve all the facts from their physician, in-person, before making such a critical decision. Today’s court decision will help guarantee that. 

“The Act also empowers parents by strengthening Arizona’s parental consent laws. Now, in most cases, any minor seeking an abortion must first obtain a notarized statement of parental consent. Effective parental consent is a fundamental principle that Arizonans on both sides of the abortion debate can support. Today’s ruling will also protect women’s health and safety by requiring that surgical abortions be performed by a physician.

“These are common sense regulations that will help protect Arizona families, and I’m thrilled the Court has allowed the law to take effect as intended.”

PHOENIX -- On Thursday, August 11, the Arizona Court of Appeals, in a 3-0 decision,  lifted an injunction against the  Abortion Consent Act, signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer in 2009, thus making it a requirement for a minor child to get a parent's consent before having an abortion.

 

The law was challenged by Planned Parenthood and an injunction against it was issued in Superior Court after the group filed suit.

 

The law also requires that a pregnant woman seeking an abortion first receive counseling from a doctor at least 24 hours before the proceedure can be performed and allows doctors to refuse to perform an abortion if they have religious or moral objections. 

Governor Brewer: Arizona committed to holding feds accountable for lack of border security

Governor in attendance as federal court hears oral arguments regarding state's counterclaim in SB 1070 case

PHOENIX – Attorneys representing the State of Arizona today reiterated the state’s claims against the federal government for its continued failure to secure the border and reimburse the state for the costs it has incurred due to illegal immigration.

Oral arguments were made before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton regarding the state’s lawsuit against the federal government. The countersuit, filed by the state in February, is a response to the federal government’s legal challenge to SB 1070.

“This is not a fight that the State of Arizona sought. But when the federal government took the shameful action of suing an individual state, we had no option but to respond with full force,” said Governor Brewer. “For years, illegal immigration has placed a tremendous burden on Arizona by compromising our security and state resources. The time has come to hold the federal government accountable for years of neglect on this issue. That time is now.”

The federal government asked Judge Bolton to dismiss the state’s counterclaim. No decision has yet been issued, but Governor Brewer is confident the case will proceed.

The counterclaim is based on five fundamental points. The federal government has (i) failed to gain “operational control of the border,” as required by federal law (ii) failed to enforce federal immigration law; (iii) failed to protect Arizona from harms associated with illegal immigration; (iv) been negligent in reimbursing Arizona for more than $760 million in costs for incarcerating illegal aliens; and (v) sought to pre-empt the state from protecting the health, safety and welfare of its citizens.

While the counterclaim case moves forward, the State of Arizona is poised to file its Petition for Writ of Certiorari regarding SB 1070 with the U.S. Supreme Court. Renowned former U.S. Solicitor General Paul D. Clement will serve as lead counsel in representing the state before the nation’s High Court.

“At its core, this case is about holding the federal government responsible for its Constitutional duty to secure the border, and preserving a state’s ability to act in defense of its citizens,” Governor Brewer said. “This case has implications for every state and every U.S. citizen concerned about our nation’s security.”

Zero tolerance enforcement of seat belt law in effect May 23 to June 5

Click It or Ticket Enforcement Campaign

Click It or Ticket Campaign returns starting Monday May 23, 2011 - Sunday June 5, 2011

In an effort to save more lives on Arizona’s roadways this month the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is partnering with Arizona Department of Public Safety and other local law enforcement agencies to increase seat belt usage throughout Arizona

Although Arizona has a secondary seat belt law, the enforcement campaign is based upon high visibility traffic enforcement with a “zero-tolerance” approach towards seat belt and child safety seat usage.

As part of a special of the 2011 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies across the state will be stepping up traffic enforcement patrols and increasing other enforcement efforts to drive home the message: Buckle Up Arizona…It’s the Law!

Despite widespread efforts to educate drivers about the importance of wearing seat belts, motor vehicles collisions continue to be the leading cause of death and serious injuries to the citizens of our state.

The enforcement mobilization will run from May 23 to June 5, 2011.

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45% – and by 60% for occupants of pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans.

Funding was provided to these agencies from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designed to increase and sustain the seatbelt usage throughout Arizona.

BUCKLE UP ARIZONA….CLICK IT OR TICKET

Governor Brewer to petition Supreme Court on SB 1070

Governor Jan Brewer to petition United States Supreme Court to

lift injunction on SB 1070

        PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today announced that she will immediately petition the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction on the Arizona immigration law known as SB 1070.

        “I’ve always known this legal fight would be a long one,” said Governor Brewer. “But now that this is the path we’ve chosen, I am confident Arizona will prevail.”

        Just over one year since Governor Brewer signed SB 1070 into law, the state of Arizona remains on the front lines of a fight against cartel-fueled crime and violence that is spilling over the international border. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to lift injunctions imposed upon four key provisions of the law. Those provisions include a requirement that law enforcement officers verify immigration status when they arrest an individual and have reasonable suspicion to believe they’re in the country illegally, and a mandate that specific alien or foreign visitors register with the government and carry documentation.

        Time is of the essence. By appealing this case straight to the U.S. Supreme Court, rather than back to the Ninth Circuit Court, there is greater likelihood that legal questions surrounding SB 1070 will be resolved quickly so that the law can begin to do its job. The state of Arizona has until July 11, 2011, to file its official petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. It will likely be late September or early October before the court announces whether it will hear the case.

        “When faced with injustice, Arizonans will not sit idly by. We will act,” said Governor Brewer. “For decades, the federal government has neglected its constitutional duty to secure the border. It is because of that negligence that Arizona was forced to take action to protect its citizens via SB 1070.

         “Our issue is bigger than simply border security. It’s about the principle that a state must be able to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens, especially in the absence of sufficient federal assistance. I’m confident that Arizona will emerge victorious from this legal fight.”

Bill allowing GCC to receive workforce money passes AZ State Senate

 Bob Ashford, Governing Board President of GCC, issued the following statement:

"I am very pleased to announce that SB 1217, our bill to allow Gila Community College to receive Proposition 301 workforce development monies, passed the Senate 21 to 9.  The bill now goes to the House where the entire legislative process will begin again."
SB 1217, titled "shared revenues; provisional community colleges," was introduced by Senators Allen and Crandall; and Representatives Barton, Court and Crandell.
It is an act amending Section 42-5029, ARS, relating to shared state transaction privilege tax revenues.

Senate Education Committee will hear GCC Independence Bill

Senator Sylvia Allen's office reports that the Gila Community College Independence Bill, SB1213, will be heard in the Education Committee Monday, Feb. 7 at approximately 2 p.m. (pending the adjournment of the Floor session and the Rules Committee).
To read the bill, SB1213, go to http://www.azleg.gov/ 


Below is a list of the Education Committee members with their email addresses:
Senator Sylvia Allen -- sallen@azleg.gov
Senator Nancy Barto -- nbarto@azleg.gov
Senator Rich Crandall -- rcrandall@azleg.gov
Senator Linda Gray -- lgray@azleg.gov
Senator Lori Klein -- lklein@azleg.gov
Senator Linda Lopez -- llopez@azleg.gov
Senator David Schapira -- dschapira@azleg.gov
Senator Steve Smith -- smith@azleg.gov
To see a list of ALL the legislators with their email addresses:  Member Roster

AZ Legislature passes bill to protect mourners against protestors

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

        PHOENIX – "This evening, I have signed Senate Bill 1101 into law.  This bill passed unanimously out of both houses of the Arizona Legislature and represents a truly bipartisan effort to assure that grieving families and friends will be free from harassment and intimidation at the funerals of their loved ones.

“Senate Bill 1101 creates a 300-foot barrier between picketers and any location where a funeral or burial service is held.  Any person who violates the legislation is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.  This bill contains an emergency clause and is therefore effective upon my signature.

“In addition, last year I instructed the Arizona Attorney General to join 46 other states in a brief at the United States Supreme Court filed in support of the right of grieving families to seek a civil remedy against those that choose to protest and disrupt the funerals of their loved ones. 

“Such despicable acts of emotional terrorism will not be tolerated in the State of Arizona.  This legislation will assure that the victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve.

“I want to commend the Arizona Legislature for coming together in a bipartisan manner to pass this legislation on the first full day of the legislative session.   This represents a remarkable spirit of unity and togetherness following Saturday's tragedy.”