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Train Wreck Coming, Pearce Says
Rep. Russell Pearce, Chairman of the State House Appropriations Committee, told his audience at the October 18 Freedom Conference in Heber (Arizona) that he foresees a fiscal trainwreck not too far down the track. "Our state has huge financial problems and they're all because of overspending. We have a $437 million structural deficit, that we've admitted to, an $800 million deficit going into 2005, and $ 12 BILLION in obligations. We have too many people who just can't seem to understand that we can't continue to spend more than we take in."
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment (an oxymoron if there ever was one) System is one example of a major financial problem facing the state. Rep. Pearce said it jumped 500 percent between 2001 and 2003, largely because of the flood of illegal immigrants swarming over the border. Arizona hospitals are overwhelmed by the free medical emergency services they are required by law to provide. "Controlling the border is a federal responsibility," he said, "but once they're past the border they become our problem. Right now, it's costing us $600 million a year to educate illegals (also required by law), 20 percent of our (in-state) federal prisoners are illegals and 15 percent of our state prisoners are illegals. 80 percent of the violent crimes committed in the state involve illegals."
Pearce said that many of the immigrants are good, desperate folks looking for work, but many are "bad, bad people." He said that Mexico is now teaching its citizens how to get into the U.S. welfare system and added that a rapidly growing number of illegals are also coming from Asian and Arab countries.
Pearce said all of America has become a "bloated social welfare state" that will not be able to sustain itself much longer. He said that the uncontrolled borders are hastening the trainwreck and that lawmakers and other leaders just don't have the political courage to do what needs to be done with the borders.
Pearce supports the 'rotect Arizona Now' initiative drive that would deny some benefits to illegal immigrants. The initiative is now circulating around the state and requires 122,000 valid signatures by July 1, 2004 in order to get on the ballot for November, 2004. Pearce can be contacted at the legislature by calling 1-800-352-8404, or writing 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix 85007.
Payson.cc © 2004 Carrol Cox
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