Southern Arizona Republicans Fail to Stand Up for Public Safety; Bow to Phoenix Political Bosses

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Press release from the Pima County Democratic Party:

Southern Arizona Republicans Fail to Stand Up for Public Safety; Bow to Phoenix Political Bosses

State Senate President Russell Pearce has put politics ahead of public safety by slashing all of Pima County's border security gang task force money, and southern Arizona’s GOP lawmakers voted right along with him. 

Pearce’s budget also guts funding for roads and other infrastructure projects in the county to the tune of $15 million, an expense that will surely be passed on to local taxpayers. 

Last week Republican state Sens. Frank Antenori, Gail Griffin and Al Melvin stood by and did nothing as Pearce funneled Pima County's much-needed border safety dollars to his political ally, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. Pearce admitted that it was an act of political retribution against Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who strongly opposed Senate Bill 1070 and has been critical of the Far Right's immigration policies. 

“It was by design,” Pearce said of his move to slash funding for border-related gang violence and make Pima County — which has more border miles than any county in the state — ineligible for that money. 

Babeu on the other hand has been a strong supporter of Pearce’s anti-immigration policies, a fact that was not lost on Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers. 

“I understand his desire to reward Babeu – Pearce needs all the friends he can buy right now," Rogers said. “His agenda of extremism has cost him the support of mainstream Arizonans.” 

And what do southern Arizona voters get from Republican lawmakers? Support for Pearce's vendetta against Pima County, which endangers our community. 

“They had a defining choice to make,” Rogers said. “Do they represent the people who elected them to office? Or their Phoenix political bosses, pursuing a dangerous and unpopular agenda? I guess we got our answer.” 

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