Arizona governor vetoes birther, campus gun bills

[hogger129]

Arizona governor vetoes birther, campus gun bills

PHOENIX (Reuters) – Arizona's Republican Governor Jan Brewer on Monday vetoed two controversial bills, one mandating proof of U.S. citizenship to run for president, the other allowing guns on college campuses, in a clear setback for conservatives who control the state legislature.

Brewer, who grabbed headlines a year ago when she signed a get-tough state law cracking down on illegal immigrants, vetoed the bills in an announcement late on Monday.

The so-called "birther bill," would have made Arizona the first state in the nation to require presidential candidates prove U.S. citizenship by providing a long form birth certificate, and other forms of proof including baptismal or circumcision certificates, to be placed on the state ballot.

"I never imagined being presented with a bill that could require candidates for president of the greatest and most powerful nation on earth to submit their 'early baptism or circumcision certificates' ... This is a bridge too far," she said..

A former Arizona secretary of state, Brewer said she did not support designating one person as "gatekeeper to the ballot for a candidate," as it "could lead to arbitrary or politically motivated decisions."
[ For complete coverage of politics and policy, go to Yahoo! Politics ]

The Republican-controlled state legislature passed the measure at a time when some foes of President Barack Obama, a Democrat question whether he is a native-born U.S. citizen. Real estate mogul and television reality show host Donald Trump is among those questioning Obama's birth in Hawaii.

Brewer also vetoed a bill that would have made Arizona the second state in the nation to allow an individual to carry a firearm -- either concealed or not -- in the public rights of way on higher education campuses, because it was "so poorly written."

Brewer said shortcomings in the bill included a failure to define "public rights of way" and the inclusion of state schools, where firearms are prohibited by federal and state laws.

Neighboring Utah allows firearms inside campus buildings.

Last April, Brewer caused a national furor when she signed the state's controversial crackdown on immigration, which required police to investigate the immigration status of anyone they detained and suspected of being in the country illegally.

Opponents of the law said it would lead to harassment of Hispanic-Americans, and the Obama administration argued the U.S. Constitution gave the federal government sole authority over immigration matters.

A U.S. federal judge blocked the most controversial parts of the law shortly before it came into effect last July. Arizona appealed the stay, but it was upheld by a federal appeals court in a ruling last week.

Arizona Sen. Steve Gallardo, an outspoken Democrat, said the governor realized that the bills would be bad for the state's image and had nothing to do with the challenges it faces.

"She know that these bills are not going to help with Arizona's image," Gallardo told Reuters.

"All they do is put us in the national spotlight and make us look silly. She's saying she doesn't want that to happen any longer."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110419/...rizona_birther

[rentalguy1]

I'd guess the Obama folks got to her...

[redwing carson]

She sold out her supporters. It seems everyone thought she would sign these 2 bills. These liberals fly below the radar even in Az.

[ofitg]

Last month the Arizona legislature caved in to pressure from local businessmen and killed a handful of bills dealing with illegal immigration.

This month, Gov. Brewer vetoed the "Birther Bill" and the "Campus Carry Bill".

I suspect that all of these outcomes would have been different if 2011 was an election year.

[RunningOnMT]

As unpopular as this mght be I agree with her on the birther bill. It's not Arizonas responsibility to check the credentials of presidential candidates BUT it IS the responsibility of the nominating party, the electoral college, the congress of the United States and the supreme court. This fiasco has gone on long enough. He very well may have been born in the United States but a man who wont answer to the American people doesn't deserve to be president. I think the guy actually believes he's above it all.

As to the carry on college campuses goes, I believe the governor supports that but expects the legislature to word the bill so as not to allow for any misinterpretation.

I still think Gov. Brewer is doing a damn good job and deserves the support of Arizona citizens. This lady doesnt buckle to political pressure from anyone.

[redwing carson]

She caved in to the Tuscon liberals. I fully expected this out come no shocker. The people who voted for her wanted to send a message. She refused to carry the mail. She should be voted out of office.Good luck

RC

[ozo]

"but a man who wont answer to the American people doesn't deserve to be president"----

AMEN !!!

[jbmid1]

ater having the Immigration bill dismatled in Federal court, I can understand her wanting
bills that are written well enough to survive the scrutiny.

[Old Grump]

she vetoed the gun bill because she thought it was poorly worded. She could be right. A little more time to make it right will pay dividends later when it is challenged. It's harder to challenge a good law.

[Python]

Originally Posted by Old Grump

she vetoed the gun bill because she thought it was poorly worded. She could be right. A little more time to make it right will pay dividends later when it is challenged. It's harder to challenge a good law.

+1

[gunmad]

At least you guys are not fighting over a 60,000.00 dollar labor poster being removed from a state building or have a gov: telling people to kiss his butt yes this is the same one that said he would tell the pres: to go to hell. there not tring to figure out who was stupid enough to waste tax dollars on this or the fact that they are wasteing money fighting him over it. how about cutting my taxes i don't want or care about a poster i look out and see the hard workers that make this country work.

[rentalguy1]

Originally Posted by Old Grump

It's harder to challenge a good law.

...not for a democratically controlled White House and Senate, and a iffy Supreme Court. How exactly do you think we got to this place? Decades of bad laws.