http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/knau/local-knau-955511.mp3
Phoenix, AZ – The proposal would allow the Legislature, by simple majority
vote, to let Arizonans ignore any federal law, rule, mandate or
executive order. Sen. Ron Gould said the move is necessary.
(The states are the check to overwhelming federal power. And we
have the ability to nullify things. Because we've seen over the
years a consolidation of power to the federal government.
Senate President Russell Pearce said the measure simple paves the
way for a review of the federal action by the U.S. Supreme Court.
(If you're not going to support this bill, I guess Obamacare is
OK for you. You have some egregious things coming down the
federal government beyond their scope of authority, their
enumerated powers. This is just a reflection upon that with a
proper process to at least look at it, evaluate, and then have a
court be the arbitrator relevant to states' rights.)
But Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said the state cannot force the nation's
high court review anything. The measure ended up three votes
short of the 16 needed for final Senate approval. Sen. Lori
Klein, who crafted it, said she will attempt to get a few
colleagues to change their minds and bring the issue back up. For
Arizona Public Radio this is Howard Fischer.