Arizona Legislature Gives Conservatives Plenty To Cheer About

Across the country, they are known as the conservative lawmakers who are taking illegal immigration into their own hands.

But the Arizona Legislature adjourned this week with a legacy of new laws that put it at the forefront of the nation's growing conservative movement.

There's the law that allows adults to carry a concealed weapon without the permit, background check or training course that was previously required, and the declaration that the federal government has no right to regulate light bulbs or guns manufactured entirely within the state.

In response to big budget deficits, lawmakers also cut health insurance for 36,000 children, making Arizona the first state to eliminate coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program. They later reversed those cuts to avoid risking the loss of billions of federal Medicaid dollars because of the new health care overhaul.

Lawmakers also restricted the use of human embryos in scientific research, and made it illegal for a school district to have any courses that promote a particular ethnic group or advocate ethnic solidarity.

Finally, there is the law that has gotten the most attention: The crackdown on illegal immigration by requiring police to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally, and making it a state crime to be in the United States illegally.

"We are so far ahead of the other states that they can hardly see us," said Rep. John Kavanagh, a Republican from Fountain Hills.

Others see it differently.

"We have raised the bar on the definition of crazy and ridiculous," said Democratic Rep. Ed Ableser.

The immigration law will take effect in late July, three months after the legislature adjourns, unless opponents succeed in blocking it with a referendum or lawsuits. Those who oppose the measure say it promotes racial profiling and other abuse.

Arizona has always been a Republican state, but the ascent of a Republican governor, the creation of publicly funded campaigns, and a lack of competitive legislative districts have combined to make the Arizona Legislature a national pioneer in advancing conservative causes.

Other measures championed by conservatives made it out of one chamber but not the other, such as a bill to require presidential candidates to prove their citizenship to get on Arizona's ballot and a measure giving priority in adoptions to married couples.

Here is more