S2 EP03: Burn that Capitol down

For two decades and through three administrations, Arizonans waited for the federal government to solve the issue that many felt was right at their doorstep. They were left without a solution. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all tried to move the needle on immigration reform. They were unsuccessful. The unsolved murder of a Cochise County rancher, which was pinned on undocumented immigrants by authorities and echoed in mass media, exacerbated hostilities.   Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1070 had passed both Arizona chambers and was sitting on Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk. The political pressure weighed on the governor, who had to consider her upcoming re-election bid.  She could sign it into law, veto it, or let it pass by default without her signature. Nobody, not even her closest staff, knew what she would do.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices