Was SB1070 oversold? By the wrong salespeople?

[IBCoupe]

http://www.kpho.com/news/24362212/detail.html

Rancho de la Osa Guest Ranch is part of Arizona history. Its past is as colorful as its plastered adobe walls. Father Eusebio Kino built it in the late 1600s. Pancho Villa attacked it. President Lyndon Johnson visited it.

Veronica and Richard Schultz have owned the guest ranch for the past 14 years. The operation’s close proximity to the border used to be a selling point for guests. Now, it’s more of a repellent.

“We’ve definitely lost guests and we've had guests call us. We’ve had friends call us from all over the country and say, ‘Hey, are you safe?’” Richard Schultz said.

Between the economy and boycotts related to Arizona’s tough new immigration law, SB 1070, tourism in the state is down 10 percent.

The Shultzes said state politicians are not helping matters. Every day on cable news, anchors and reporters are discussing an invasion at the border, headless bodies in the desert or a rash of kidnappings.

During this election cycle, Arizona politicians are touting the potential dangers of illegal immigration. Gov. Jan Brewer is one of the loudest voices.

She has made several statements to the national media, the validity of which CBS 5 Investigates could not confirm. The governor told one media outlet that almost all illegal immigrants are bringing drugs across the border. U.S. Border Patrol officials said that statement is false.

Brewer also said law enforcement officials have found decapitated bodies in the desert. Calls to all of Arizona’s border county medical examiners revealed no decapitated bodies have been reported to them.

A look at data from the FBI shows crime in Arizona is actually down. Murders in Phoenix have dropped by 50 percent since 2003. The violent crime rate across the state has dropped every year since at least 2004. Even the number of illegal border crossers is down. Border Patrol numbers show they are arresting half as many illegal immigrants as they did in 2004.

U.S. Attorney for Arizona, Dennis Burke, told CBS 5 Investigates, “If you’re not into drug trafficking and you’re not into human smuggling, you’re going to be safe. This is a safe place to live.”

But that message is not getting out, and at the state capitol, there is a real concern that Arizona’s new reputation might be hard to shake.

State Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, D-Phoenix, told CBS 5 Investigates, “If you’re hearing about beheadings and you’re hearing about things that drastic, would you want to bring your friends and family to Arizona?”

Taylor said a drop in tourism dollars from all of the bad publicity could drastically impact the state’s already ailing budget.

In a statement to CBS 5 Investigates, the governor’s office wrote:

“The focus here is crime. Gov. Brewer sees Arizona as a wonderful place to live, work and visit with the state's warm welcoming people, year-round sunshine, business ready environment, rich history, and culture. Statements don't harm Arizona, but crime certainly does.

“Gov. Brewer is concerned that the lack of a secure international border is a serious problem, and if allowed to continue, will hurt Arizona's quality of life. There is no question that the federal government's abject failure to secure our national border has had severe economic impacts to our state. This is not just a Gov. Brewer claim[sic]. In fact, when she was governor, Janet Napolitano frequently made comments about the hundreds of millions of dollars the federal government owed our state due to their failures.”

In the meantime, a CBS 5 News investigation revealed that there is one business that could profit from the implementation of SB 1070 and similar immigration measures. The private prison industry houses illegal immigrant detainees for the federal government. Those companies could gain contracts with state and local agencies to house illegal immigrants arrested for state violations.

Corrections Corporation of America, or CCA, holds the federal contract to house detainees in Arizona. The company bills $11 million per month. CBS 5 Investigates learned that two of Brewer’s top advisers have connections to CCA.

Paul Senseman is the governor’s deputy chief of staff. He is also a former lobbyist for CCA. His wife is listed as a current lobbyist for the company.

Chuck Coughlin is one of the governor’s policy advisers and her campaign chairman. Coughlin’s company, HighGround Public Affairs Consultants, currently lobbies for CCA.

CCA issued the following statement to CBS 5 Investigates:

“CCA, unequivocally, did not at any time lobby -- nor did we have any outside consultants lobby -- anyone in Arizona on the immigration law. Nor are we proposing to house detainee immigrants as a result of SB 1070. We currently have no contracts with the State or any counties. CCA very proudly does have a presence in Arizona, as we own and operate six correctional facilities, employing more than 2,500 Arizona residents. These contracts are with other state and federal jurisdictions.”

Meanwhile, at Rancho de la Osa, Richard and Veronica Schultz said they don’t know much about the motives behind the politicians making alarming statements about the border.

Though their hacienda survived a real attack from Pancho Villa, it might not survive the war of words from politicians, Richard Schultz said.

“I think they’re covering their own personal interests, and as a consequence, Arizona and its tourism needs are being the sacrificial lambs to some extent,” he said.

So what are your thoughts? Are there issues with private prisons? Corruption? Do you think there were scare tactics used in passing the bill? Or is this a hub-bub over nothing?

[heliochrome85]

http://www.kpho.com/news/24362212/detail.html

Rancho de la Osa Guest Ranch is part of Arizona history. Its past is as colorful as its plastered adobe walls. Father Eusebio Kino built it in the late 1600s. Pancho Villa attacked it. President Lyndon Johnson visited it.

Veronica and Richard Schultz have owned the guest ranch for the past 14 years. The operation’s close proximity to the border used to be a selling point for guests. Now, it’s more of a repellent.

“We’ve definitely lost guests and we've had guests call us. We’ve had friends call us from all over the country and say, ‘Hey, are you safe?’” Richard Schultz said.

Between the economy and boycotts related to Arizona’s tough new immigration law, SB 1070, tourism in the state is down 10 percent.

The Shultzes said state politicians are not helping matters. Every day on cable news, anchors and reporters are discussing an invasion at the border, headless bodies in the desert or a rash of kidnappings.

During this election cycle, Arizona politicians are touting the potential dangers of illegal immigration. Gov. Jan Brewer is one of the loudest voices.

She has made several statements to the national media, the validity of which CBS 5 Investigates could not confirm. The governor told one media outlet that almost all illegal immigrants are bringing drugs across the border. U.S. Border Patrol officials said that statement is false.

Brewer also said law enforcement officials have found decapitated bodies in the desert. Calls to all of Arizona’s border county medical examiners revealed no decapitated bodies have been reported to them.

A look at data from the FBI shows crime in Arizona is actually down. Murders in Phoenix have dropped by 50 percent since 2003. The violent crime rate across the state has dropped every year since at least 2004. Even the number of illegal border crossers is down. Border Patrol numbers show they are arresting half as many illegal immigrants as they did in 2004.

U.S. Attorney for Arizona, Dennis Burke, told CBS 5 Investigates, “If you’re not into drug trafficking and you’re not into human smuggling, you’re going to be safe. This is a safe place to live.”

But that message is not getting out, and at the state capitol, there is a real concern that Arizona’s new reputation might be hard to shake.

State Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, D-Phoenix, told CBS 5 Investigates, “If you’re hearing about beheadings and you’re hearing about things that drastic, would you want to bring your friends and family to Arizona?”

Taylor said a drop in tourism dollars from all of the bad publicity could drastically impact the state’s already ailing budget.

In a statement to CBS 5 Investigates, the governor’s office wrote:

“The focus here is crime. Gov. Brewer sees Arizona as a wonderful place to live, work and visit with the state's warm welcoming people, year-round sunshine, business ready environment, rich history, and culture. Statements don't harm Arizona, but crime certainly does.

“Gov. Brewer is concerned that the lack of a secure international border is a serious problem, and if allowed to continue, will hurt Arizona's quality of life. There is no question that the federal government's abject failure to secure our national border has had severe economic impacts to our state. This is not just a Gov. Brewer claim[sic]. In fact, when she was governor, Janet Napolitano frequently made comments about the hundreds of millions of dollars the federal government owed our state due to their failures.”

In the meantime, a CBS 5 News investigation revealed that there is one business that could profit from the implementation of SB 1070 and similar immigration measures. The private prison industry houses illegal immigrant detainees for the federal government. Those companies could gain contracts with state and local agencies to house illegal immigrants arrested for state violations.

Corrections Corporation of America, or CCA, holds the federal contract to house detainees in Arizona. The company bills $11 million per month. CBS 5 Investigates learned that two of Brewer’s top advisers have connections to CCA.

Paul Senseman is the governor’s deputy chief of staff. He is also a former lobbyist for CCA. His wife is listed as a current lobbyist for the company.

Chuck Coughlin is one of the governor’s policy advisers and her campaign chairman. Coughlin’s company, HighGround Public Affairs Consultants, currently lobbies for CCA.

CCA issued the following statement to CBS 5 Investigates:

“CCA, unequivocally, did not at any time lobby -- nor did we have any outside consultants lobby -- anyone in Arizona on the immigration law. Nor are we proposing to house detainee immigrants as a result of SB 1070. We currently have no contracts with the State or any counties. CCA very proudly does have a presence in Arizona, as we own and operate six correctional facilities, employing more than 2,500 Arizona residents. These contracts are with other state and federal jurisdictions.”

Meanwhile, at Rancho de la Osa, Richard and Veronica Schultz said they don’t know much about the motives behind the politicians making alarming statements about the border.

Though their hacienda survived a real attack from Pancho Villa, it might not survive the war of words from politicians, Richard Schultz said.

“I think they’re covering their own personal interests, and as a consequence, Arizona and its tourism needs are being the sacrificial lambs to some extent,” he said.

So what are your thoughts? Are there issues with private prisons? Corruption? Do you think there were scare tactics used in passing the bill? Or is this a hub-bub over nothing?

in an age where everyone is an armchair quarterback thanks to the internet, can Major legislation be passed on any level WITHOUT scare tactics?

[IBCoupe]

Perhaps not, but must the scare tactics be employed by public officials?

[heliochrome85]

Perhaps not, but must the scare tactics be employed by public officials?

its a sad state of affairs, but in this day and age, yes. the American political system is deeply flawed. That being said, I cant honestly say its much worse than it has ever been. With every new generation comes the advent of new technology that our political system has to adapt to. each adaptation has brought out the worst in people. TV/radio helped make McCarthy who he became. (Incidentally, McCarthyism in turn, helped elect Eisenhower) In the 60s, TV helped defeat Nixon. In the 70s, Cronkite destroyed the Vietnam War's credibility when he finally came out against it. You also saw the end of Presidental innocence. and on and on and on.

Every generation has their McCarthy, just as every generation has their Goldwater.

[stebo0728]

Perhaps not, but must the scare tactics be employed by public officials?

its a sad state of affairs, but in this day and age, yes. the American political system is deeply flawed. That being said, I cant honestly say its much worse than it has ever been. With every new generation comes the advent of new technology that our political system has to adapt to. each adaptation has brought out the worst in people. TV/radio helped make McCarthy who he became. (Incidentally, McCarthyism in turn, helped elect Eisenhower) In the 60s, TV helped defeat Nixon. In the 70s, Cronkite destroyed the Vietnam War's credibility when he finally came out against it. You also saw the end of Presidental innocence. and on and on and on.

Every generation has their McCarthy, just as every generation has their Goldwater.

And henceforth every generation will have their Pelosi's and Reid's