In 2006, Barbara Leff sponsored the original bill establishing trespassing by illegal aliens as a state crime. Senate Bill 1157 was vetoed by former Governor Napolitano.

Had it been enacted, authorities would have been able to arrest the violators and either refer them for prosecution or transfer them to the Federal agency with jurisdiction. This would have created a second line of defense when illegal immigrants evade Federal authorities and enter Arizona.

For more information, see ILLEGAL ALIENS: AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED

Sun

News Room

BRIGHTENING OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE

From the Arizona Republic, July 2, 2009 Editorial Page

One ray of sunshine managed to break through the stormy final hours of the Legislature. Lawmakers approved a package of incentives for the solar-power industry and other alternative-energy enterprises.

All it needs now is a signature from Gov. Jan Brewer.

Senate Bill 1403, sponsored by Paradise Valley GOP Sen. Barbara Leff, gives us the economic-development tools we've been missing to compete with other states. 

Businesses with an estimated $4 billion in solar capital investment and more than 4,000 jobs are on the prowl for sites. But they can't ignore the fact that other states are dangling tax breaks and other incentives. Until now, Arizona has been playing on a severely skewed field. And places like Oregon and New Mexico are snapping up alternative-business opportunities.

This legislation has been honed to promote the creation of high-paying jobs that boost our economy. It sets performance standards to ensure that the incentives produce real benefits.

The legislators who approved SB 1403 are brightening Arizona's future leadership.