Rep. Nancy Barto was one of six legislators (aka the “Sanctuary Six“) who walked out during the vote on HB2280, a bill to ban sanctuary cities, resulting in its defeat. As discussed in a prior post, Barto ran on a platform sounding tough on illegal immigration. Turns out her fellow five walkers also have made statements in the past indicating they would be tough on illegal immigration. They can’t have it both ways, if you’re going to represent to your constituents that you will vote for laws cracking down on illegal immigration, you can’t sneak out your responsibility as a legislator to vote, which essentially amounts to a “no” vote defeating the bill. Let’s look at what these other members of the Sanctuary Six said in the past:

Rep. Rich Crandall – Dist. 19

2008 Publicity Pamphlet:
There are several issues being addressed by the legislature that are important to me but my top four are education, safety and security, family values and meaningful economic development. I am for school choice, a strong border, protecting the unborn and lowering taxes, especially business and personal property taxes.”

What one state action do you think would work best to combat the problem of illegal immigration. Why?

The currently enacted employer sanctions legislation needs to be given a chance to work. Before we add more regulations to businesses, let’s see how the already passed bills work.

from http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/questionnaire2008/legislative08.php?action=ViewAns&canname=crandar

Rep. Adam Driggs – Dist. 11

2008 Publicity Pamphlet:
“I currently have my own law firm, specializing in federal immigration law. Immigration is one of the most controversial issues confronting our state today. My practical knowledge in this area will be an asset as the state works to solve one of its biggest problems.”

State Rep. Adam Driggs, R-Phoenix, introduced a bill in February that would increase penalties for human smugglers and make selling, renting or leasing property for the purpose of smuggling a felony.
from http://www.saveourstate.org/vforums/showthread.php?t=40135

Rep. Bill Konopnicki – Dist. 5

• House Bill 2386 — Employer sanctions. Establish a fine and civil penalty for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers. Primary sponsor: Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford.
from http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/165295

Defending his employer sanctions bills on Horizon on Jan. 22, 2008 -
“If the individuals [critics] would read the bills and see what is there, they would actually see that it is strengthening the law and removing some of the problems. It puts teeth into the employer sanctions law so it can be enforced. Now we have a lot of people who have the emotion piece that say ‘Oh he’s trying to tear the law down,’ but in fact what we’re really trying to do is have something that we can live with. The citizens of the state of Arizona want something that’s enforceable. These bills make that law more enforceable.”
from http://www.azpbs.org/horizon/detailvid.php?id=1346

Regarding building a private prison to house illegal immigrants –
“This is a creative idea and worthy of exploration,” said Republican Rep. Bill Konopnicki of Safford.
from http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/archives/2005/02/az_wants_to_bui.html

His recommendations on 2006 ballot propositions:
Yes on Prop. 100, prohibiting bail for illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes
Yes on Prop. 104, English as official language
from http://web.archive.org/web/20070907115057/www.kono4.us/exec/eAnnouncements.asp?id=24

Rep. Lucy Mason Dist. 1

2008 Publicity Pamphlet:
“Lucy believes it is critical to secure our borders. She met with federal Homeland Security officials and as a result, proposed a border security plan that increases law enforcement on the border immediately, deports criminal illegals quickly, and protects Arizona citizens by providing resources that support the federal government’s plan, rather than duplicating it.”

Rep. Doug Quelland Dist. 10

Supported Prop. 200
from http://www.pan2004.com/about.htm

X

f) Children of illegal immigrants, born in the United States, should not automatically receive U.S. citizenship.

from http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=16323#863

The recent vote on HB2280 made it clear which legislators want to crack down on illegal immigration, and which ones don’t (perhaps they’re beholden to business interests?) Rep. Nancy Barto, Rep. Rich Crandall, Rep. Adam Driggs, Rep. Doug Quelland, Rep. Lucy Mason, and Rep. Bill Konopnicki all conveniently walked out just before the vote on HB2280, which would have banned sanctuary cities. Skipping the vote has the same effect as voting no, although those legislators are probably hoping the general public doesn’t realize that. House Republicans who stuck around to vote no were Rep. Andrew Tobin, Rep. Russ Jones, and Rep. John McComish.  In the Senate, Sen. Carolyn Allen and Sen. John Nelson voted no. Folks, these legislators are the Republican legislators who aren’t cracking down on illegal immigration, contrary to the platforms many of them ran on.

Rep. Nancy Barto, in a defense of her non-vote posted on this blog, said she had national interviews that conflicted with the vote. But that’s not what we elected her for. We elected her to serve in the legislature and vote on legislation, not to do national interviews. And this sanctuary city bill was one of the most important bills in Arizona, since we are overrun with illegal immigration.

Rep. Barto ran on a tough platform against illegal immigration. She can’t have it both ways. She needs to represent the constituents who elected her based on that platform, not cave in to special interests after she gets elected. Here are statements she has made about illegal immigration when running for office, indicating she would be a strong proponent of laws against illegal immigration:

2006 & 2008 Publicity Pamphlets: “Representative Barto understands the need to secure our borders, and will continue to support legislation that stems the tide of illegal immigration into our state.”

From her webpage –

SECURING OUR BORDERS The Federal government has failed us by not securing our borders and addressing both the causes of illegal immigration and its effects upon our state.
Nancy believes our government has a moral obligation to the citizens of Arizona to solve this problem. That’s why Nancy supported and will continue to push critical legislation that effectively addresses this issue including:
Funding the GIITEM Task Force
Sanctioning employers who engage in illegal hiring practices
Enhanced border funding and national guard measures
Strengthening Arizona’s human smuggling and drop house laws
Assuring state welfare benefits are not awarded to those in the state illegally

Securing Our Borders
It is clear that our Federal government has failed miserably in securing our borders and addressing the effects illegal immigration has had upon our state. Nancy Barto believes that government has a moral obligation to the citizens of Arizona to deal effectively with the problem of illegal immigration. That’s why Nancy supports taking every necessary step to secure our borders and stop those who choose to break our laws and come into Arizona illegally.

From an Arizona Republic interview -