There has been both concern and discussion in the border state of Arizona as Republican Governor Jan Brewer tries to balance numerous issues. Oh, and she, uh, does not exactly see eye-to-eye with the Obama administration.
Brewer has been a member of both the Arizona House of Representatives and the State Senate. She also served as Secretary of State from 2002-2009 before becoming Governor following Janet Napolitano’s acceptance of the Director of Homeland Security position.
Key issues for Brewer include border security, gun policies, healthcare, and gay rights (or, uh, lack thereof). Brewer is obviously a motivated, dedicated, accomplished, and … uh, opinionated public servant to the people of Arizona. This has created a feeling of unsettledness to Arizonians.
Brewer has had some rather pointed words for President Obama. She stated, “No one in Arizona is laughing,” following comments made by the President (she refers to him as the “Comic in Chief”) at the White House Correspondents dinner, and her website reads:
In December 2008, the U.S. Justice Department said that Mexican gangs are the “biggest organized crime threat to the United States.” In 2009, Phoenix had 316 kidnapping cases, turning the city into our nation’s kidnapping capital. Almost all of the persons kidnapped were illegal immigrants or linked to the drug trade.
“The very same week that Governor Brewer signed SB 1070, a major drug ring was broken up and Mexican cartel operatives suspected of running 40,000 pounds of marijuana through southern Arizona were indicted. A week later, a local deputy sheriff was assaulted by suspected drug smugglers carrying an automatic weapon,” said campaign spokesman Doug Cole. “The drug trafficking and border violence is out of control in Arizona and demands serious attention. President Obama and Congress ignored several requests from Governor Brewer for help in securing the border.”
Brewer’s recent victory, Proposition 100, is legislation requiring an extra one cent sales tax increase that is expected to generate $1 billion.
From AZCapitol Times:
A year ago, Jan Brewer’s proposed sales tax hike seemed like a goner and her political career didn’t seem far behind, but after voters cast their ballots for Proposition 100, the landslide victory may be enough to carry her to a full term as governor.
Voters approved Prop. 100 by a 64-36 margin, handing Brewer what many observers view as a knockout punch against her challengers in the Republican primary and the general election.
The victory party by the Yes on 100 committee wasn’t a celebration for the governor per se, but the sea of red ‘Brewer for governor’ shirts in the crowd was an unmistakable reminder that Brewer and Prop. 100 are essentially one and the same.
There have been, however, some specific concerns regarding this legislation. Just two examples:
Arizona resident Lupita Majalca stated to the Arizona Republic that she was torn about the sales tax question, because her Douglas, Arizona business, a refrigerator and cake supplies store, would lose money if the sales tax increases and if she keeps her prices the same.
According to a report by The Explorer News, if the proposition failed, the Arizona Department of Corrections would cut $63 million from its budget and would send thousands of inmates from state prisons to county jails. The reason for such action would minimize the state’s budget deficit.