Cards' president says feds failed to secure borders

by Jim Cross/KTAR (September 8th, 2010 @ 12:40pm)

PHOENIX -- Senate Bill 1070, the new immigration law, was the most polarizing issue of the summer in Arizona and it came up Wednesday before a panel on how to repair Arizona's battered image.

Without taking a position for or against the law, Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said there's no doubt that the federal government has failed Arizona and other border states.

"They didn't protect our borders. It's been an open sieve and what we've got to focus on is getting that border secured and making sure that we protect our national interest," said Bidwill, speaking at the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Cox Communications Economic Outlook luncheon.

Bidwill said he believes SB1070 eventually will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. He did not venture a guess about the final outcome of the fight over the measure which gives local law enforcement officers sweeping powers to enforce immigration laws. Most of the controversial parts of the bill have been put on hold by a federal judge, pending the outcome of the court fight.

At the luncheon, Valley economist Elliott Pollack said there is a light at the end of the tunnel in Arizona's economic recovery. He said Arizona has a lot to build on, starting with affordable housing. He said housing and unemployment have bottomed out.

"Long-term considerations, people will move here again. We will create jobs at a rapid pace down the road."

Pollack said his biggest concern is there's no real engine to drive the economy, so the recovery will be painfully slow. He said it looks like it will be 2013 before the state is firing on all cylinders again.


Last 5 Comments

  • Reply Abuse Vote
    99% really?
    Azbrianhu
    99% of cardinals fans are illegal or hispanic? exactly where did you get these statistics from? If that's the case the all of those 99% of fans are just bandwagon fans any ways and didn't start liking the cards until they started winning. So they can go back to liking the cowboys and raiders. We don't care. also
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Yo Michael Bidwell....
    my2cents
    ....don't bite the hand that feeds you. 99% of your fans are illegal or hispanic. Now that they are leaving the state, your seats will be empty and as soon as the Crudinals start losing again (coming real soon by the way) what few white people you had will be denying they ever liked that team. Jerseys, flags and window decals will disappear as if Chris Angel was here.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    AZ's "image" is awesome!
    Legal_or_Leave
    "AZ's battered image", KTAR? What "battered image"? 70% of Americans *agree* with SB 1070! 22 states are considering legislation like SB 1070. I'd say AZ is taking a leadership position! The choice faced by Americans is either kick out the illegals and bring more jobs into the state: http://bit.ly/a7OyNa, or coddle the illegals and have riots in the streets: http://www.ktar.com/?nid=509&sid=1333267 . That's a pretty easy choice. Except for Obama/Pelosi/Reid and all the other illegal-lovers, of course. But they don't care about average Americans.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    I attended the
    América patriota
    breakfast. Pollack also said the long-term effect of SB1070 would be ZERO. If the Supreme Court overturns, all is forgotten. If it is upheld, 20 other states will pass the same law and Arizona will be forgotten. Another interesting point he made. We will begin to see more of an upswing in 2012. Hmmmm, isn't that the same year we get a new President!
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Simply stating
    Drum Man
    the obvious. Well obvious to everyone except Nobama and his gang of crooks.
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