Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick & Immigration Poll

>>> Coming up next on "Arizona Horizon," congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick joins us to talk about a variety of issues affecting Arizona, including immigration, which is the focus of a new statewide poll that shows support for comprehensive immigration reform. >>> Those stories, next, on "Arizona Horizon." >> "Arizona Horizon," is made possible by contributions from the friends of eight. Members of your Arizona PBS station. Thank you. >>> Good evening, and welcome to "Arizona Horizon." I'm Ted Simons. >>> Attorney general Tom Horne is warning the town of Bisbee that the state will go to court to stop a proposed city ordinance allowing civil union force Gay couples. The council is considering that ordinance tonight. Horne says the city does haven't the authority to enact such a measure and the impact of the ordinance goes beyond city boundaries. Horne issued the warning after receiving complaints from the three-state lawmakers that represent Bisbee. >>> "Arizona Republic" reports there's another group interested in big the coyotes and keeping the 19 Glendale. The group is led by Darin pastor, the founder after wealth management firm out of California. Pastor says he's been in communication with the national hockey league and hopes to meet with city officials tomorrow. But Glendale mayor Jerry Weiers says he's never spoken to pastor and doesn't know who he is. >>> A5-year plan to expand terminal three at Sky Harbor will be considered by the Phoenix city council tomorrow. If approved the renovation was begin next year and involvement expansion of security checkpoints, ticket areas, baggage claim, and passenger loading areas. The plan also includes adding nine gates to the terminal. Once the expansion of terminal three is completed, terminal two is scheduled to be closed. >>> Arizona representative Ann Kirkpatrick is backs on Capitol Hill after a two-year hiatus following a defeat in the polls. Kirkpatrick is back representing Arizona's first congressional district which covers much of northern and eastern Arizona. Joining us now is representative Ann Kirkpatrick. Good to see you again. >> Thank you so much. My pleasure. >> We touched on this in the headlines, we're going to talk about it later in the show regarding the statewide poll on immigration reform. What is happening back on Capitol Hill? >> You're seeing a lot more bipartisan action. Happy to see that eight senator were able to get together and define the principles they'd like addressed. There's a group in the house of representatives also working on that. And it should be a bipartisan solution. One of the first reasons I ran for Congress was my frustration that Congress wasn't dealing with this and addressing the problems. So I'm more optimistic than ever that we'll be able to get this done it. >> seems like securing the border is always a major factor here. A major impact at play. What does that mean? >> That's always been the question. What does that mean? One of my colleagues, the congressman in Texas would like to define what that means. As working on legislation that would do just that. Because then that takes that off the table. So we can say, OK, here's the definition. Where is the border, and where does it need that criteria, where does it not? Then we direct resources to that area. Then we can move to the more economic issues, dealing with worker Visas, people who really want to come here and contribute to our economy. >> Does the idea of a group of perhaps sheriff, counsel city officials, just some sort of state official that work along the border and getting them together as a group and they define border security, does that make sense to you? >> It does make sense to me to have a definition. We've always been saying what is border security? Let's define it and let us move on. >> What about E-verify? Is that enough for employee verification? >> That's a question still. What I did is I put together an immigration advisory group, broad spectrum. It has restaurant owners, motel owners, farmers, ranchers, chambers, business people, dreamers -- Faith groups, let's talk about that. I've heard from some folks yesterday when I was down in Oro valley, they're not sure the system works. So I think we need to look at it. >> How about this idea of admitting new workers only when Americans can't be found? Again this, is part of the gang of eight platform here, and yet how viable is something like that? >> I think it is important to protect American jobs. We still have a jobs deficit in this country. We have 11 million people who still aren't working. We're going to have to find a balance, but the farm bureau has introduced a bill that's very interesting and is getting some support. It businessically says if you're an agricultural worker and you can show that you have an employment U. then you're given legal status at that time, and you're given about a year in which you can convert that into either a work Visa or a pathway to citizenship. So very sensible way to deal with agricultural workers. >> But that's agricultural workers, what about other workers, would they need to be sponsored? And again, it seems there's a dispute over the wages for low-skilled workers. How do you see that? >> It will be interesting to see what the senate does with those details. And of course we're still waiting to see. >> Sure. OK. Sour waiting for the gang much eight to -- >> seeing progress, but -- That's right. Not details. I'm sure there will be much debate about that. >> I know something you're very interested in, very involved in is this planned copper mine in superior. Give us an overview of what's going on there and give us an update of what's happened recently. >> I talked about more bipartisan action, and certainly we're finding that with that issue. I'm working with congressman Paul GOSSAR, we've cosponsored legislation are terror make that land swap available so they can develop that mine. We believe that the indirect and direct jobs that it will create is 3,700, and the financial impact of the state of Arizona is in the billions of dollars. It is one of the richest copper ore. ORE bodies in North America, maybe in the world. We've got a great opportunity for all of Arizona. >> This would be the largest copper mine in North America? >> The richest copper ORE body, so the largest concentration of copper ORE in the extraction. >> You mentioned jobs and economic impact, so -- But that would be over the 60 some-odd year life span of the mine. Correct? >> That's correct. The bill is not purr. There's some issues regarding the environment that we're still trying to work out. We had a hearing right before I came back for this district work period, and there are some folks who have some serious concerns and they were able to testify in the congressional hearing, have their comments put in as part of the congressional record. >> And we've had some of those folks on the show, and some of the things they're especially worried about is maybe threatening of the water supply out there. Is that a serious threat? >> Well, that's why we have to do these environmental impact studies. Because we won't know that until we have the data and the science. >> There's also a concern regarding some of these areas are sacred tribal areas. What do you know about that? >> There are sacred tribal areas for the San Carlos Apache, and I understand having grown up on tribal land myself, that that is part of their spirituality and their culture, and very respectful of that. On the other hand, this is the copper corridor. I have to represent all my constituents, and the folks in that area are miners. They have been for generations and generations. And they want this to happen. >> There's also a bit of concern regarding -- There are foreign firms in here, foreign companies, and they would pay little if any in the way of royalties. That doesn't sound right. Talk to us about that. >> Well, you're right. They should be community partners. And that's one of the things we're talking about that's ongoing. It's interesting that mining companies, the international mining companies have gotten so large, that there's just a handful of companies big enough to do this kind of mining. >> So basically this -- These are the only people you can get involved with, you sometimes have to play by their rules? >> Well, let's have a conversation. What I'm saying, there's a balance to this. And we've been talking with all the stakeholders on this. Trying to address their concerns. You and I had talked earlier about the rock climbers. There's been an agreement reached with the rock climbers, so that area where they like to climb has been protected. So there's movement. There are ways to do this in a bam answered way, and that's what we're striving to do. >> Last question on this, it sounds like the company is threatening or has laid off hundreds of work there's were involved in this particular project. What's that all about? >> Apparently they had some concerns about the ongoing negotiations for this land exchange, and without that, they can't do the mining. And so they felt I think for economic reasons they needed to be careful. >> So does that mean it's slow going here right now, or -- >> actually, it isn't. We're working in the house, I think the fact congressman Gosar and I are working together is good, and people perceive that as a balanced approach. Talking now with some of the senators who will move this forward. >> It's a controversial issue. What are you hearing from the residents in that area? Or close to that area? >> They've been miners for generations. They want the jobs. And the way I look at it, what I'm striving for, Ted, is a diversified stable economy in Arizona. And that means mining is part of that, we have ranching, farming, we have biotech, I was just at a biotech firm yesterday, we've got great opportunities. And this is one of those. It is a diverse district, diverse state, but the folks in that area are miners, and these are the jobs that they want. And we've got this opportunity with this very, very rich copper ore body. >> Something else that critics say will threaten jobs is this new EPA haze standard over Arizona. And this involves three Arizona coal fire plants and if these standards -- We're hearing everything from these plants closing down, to eight times higher rates for rural customers. What do you know about the EPA regulations? >> We still have a jobs deficit in this country. And certainly in congressional district one. And so the Anthony Forschino hoe generating station and the mine create about 1100 jobs in that area. And the vast majority of those jobs go to Native Americans. You know the district has 12 tribes, it's 25% Native American, and the median household income is $7,000 per family. So these are good jobs, there is no other economy that can pick up those jobs if we lose them. So we'd like again to have a balanced approach with the EPA. Yes, we want clean air, but we also need to balance that with jobs and economic development. And so the other concern we have is that it's not only northern Arizona, but that generating station is the primary energy source for the CAP. And so my farmers in the southern part of the district are very concerned because if we don't get these negotiations right, they're going to see their cost of water go up. And that's going to hurt agriculture. >> It's -- >> it's a delicate balance. >> Indeed. We've had people on the show regarding this particular issue, and some would say the state put itself in this position because the EPA kept asking for a plan, and the state kept slow-footing it, and the EPA finally said, here's your plan. >> Well, what we would like to do now is work with the EPA. We do need some time to implement the plan. But keep in mind, I have four coal fire plants in my district. All were established with approval of the government regulations at the time. Things have evolved. But let's work together. >> Is there a compromise here? >> There is. I really do think there is. >> We're talking about haze of the Grand Canyon. That's pretty sensitive stuff. >> And it is sensitive. And we can get there. We can work together. >> Sequestration, what is the latest, and how again does it affect your district and what can you -- What can anyone back there on Capitol Hill do? >> It's here. I am disappointed. I was hoping we could work in a bipartisan manner. To not take a meat axe approach to this, but let's look at targets, where ecan cut the budget. But it's seriously affecting my district. I have 11 national parks. You mentioned the Grand Canyon. That's going to affect operations at the Grand Canyon. Over 95% of the land in the district is public land. So we rely on the reimbursement to run our schools, so that's going to be cut. So we're seeing cuts in schools, head start, national park service, job layoff, at a really critical time when things are starting to improve slightly, in terms of economic development jobs, but they're very fragile, and this is not going to help. >> You mentioned sequestration is here, and it is, but there's also I've heard the idea that you can phase in slowly some of these cuts, phase some of them in quicker, maybe delay as much as you can, that it's not just one curtain fall and everything ends. >> that's right. >> Is there movement on Capitol Hill to, you know, stretch it out to the point where calmer heads can prevail? >> There is. We did pass the continuing resolution to fund the budget for the rest of the fiscal year, so we're not going to shut down government. In that legislation we provided for some administrative decision making in terms of some of the departments in terms of sequestration. So we said, we'll let you decide where it makes sense to make these cuts. Homeland security is one of those, agriculture, FDA. And so giving them the discretion to determine what's best for their agency. >> Does it sound like they're taking that discretion and using it and then some? >> It does. I think everybody is taking this seriously. And we'd like to have more efficiencies, and economies in the way we run our government. We've got to do that. >> And it brings up my last question, you alluded to it when you talked about the superior coal mine and your copper mine and your cooperation and your work with representative Gosar. From when you were there before to when you're back there now, are you seeing a difference? From a distance it seems like between gay marriage and other issues, immigration, that seems like the ice has been broken a little bit. Do you get that impression? >> I do. Very much so. All of the major pieces of legislation that we've passed since January have had democrats and Republicans voting for them. And as I said, I see much more bipartisan action. Not just talking about it, but actually doing something. The freshman class, this new class that came in really is dedicated to working across the aisle. That's good policy making. And they've set up a new caucus called united solutions. Really to, let's work together, let's solve these problems. >> Why do you think that change has happened? >> Because of the last election. That's what we heard from the voters, that they want. They want people who can work across the aisle and get things done. And we listened. >> And this is my last question. What do you plan on working on, what do you emphasize now as you get back to work and get back to D.C.? >> For me it's still about jobs and building this diversified stable economy in Arizona. One of my committees is transportation and infrastructure. So we're working on some good highway projects, water resource projects, we may do some nationally. But I'm also going around to all the communities talking about roads, bridges, in our local communities. That we may be able to get funding for that will create jobs, but also build up our critical infrastructure at a time when it's really decaying and we need to do something. >> Sounds like that all bets are off with sequestration, correct? >> In the committee we'll be talking about the projects, but also how to fund them. >> All right. Very good. It's good to have you. Good to see you again. >> Thank you so much. >> Expand your horizon with the "Arizona Horizon" website. To get there, go to www.azpbs.org, click on the "Arizona Horizon" tab at the top of the screen. Once there, you can access many features, watch interviews by click OK the video button. You can also find out what's on "Arizona Horizon" for the coming week. If you would like an RSS feed, a podcast, or want to buy a video, that's all on the website too. Want to learn about specific topics like immigration or the legislature? You can visit our special web section. Show your support for "Arizona Horizon" at www.azpbs.org/Arizonahorizon. >>> A new statewide poll commissioned by the Arizona chamber of commerce and industry shows widespread support for the immigration reform plan being worked on by the so-called gang of eight, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators that includes Arizona's John McCain and Jeff flake. Here to tell us more about the poll is Garrick Taylor, he's senior vice-president of government relation and communications for the chime per of commerce and industry. Thanks for joining us. >> thanks for having me. >> Statewide survey on immigration, what were you looking for, what did you find? >> We've got two senators here who as you mentioned are part of the gang of eight. We wanted to see what do Arizona voters think about what they're putting on the table, and the results are pretty positive. >> Let's start with who conducted the public opinion strategy. >> It's a brand name firm, national reputation. They are partners in the NBC "Wall Street Journal" poll. >> What question were asked? >> We put in front of voters, these are the elements that the gang of eight is pursuing, what do you think? It was straight up or down. Do you support or oppose? >> Not necessarily being -- Not all together, just again, if there are four separate entities, can you like one and disapprove of three? >> It was up or down, one question. That included everything from the path to citizenship with the stronger border security down to a stronger worker verification system. >> Let's start with that path to citizenship. Securing the border, stopping -- Talk to us more about that. >> Jeff flake was at a chamber luncheon, and he talked about this. The vast majority of the legal im-- The illegal immigrants are not necessarily those who hop the fence and came across the border. But those who legally entered through a port of entry, and merely overstayed their Visa. And we don't have a system, at least robust one in this country, for internal enforcement that sends those people back. In Arizona we've got E-verify that's used in the workplace to determine worker eligibility. And we ask folks if we could strengthen border security, and then move to some sort of system of the path to citizenship for those folks who are here in an undocumented way, would you support it? And it seems, and like we talked about, we can't break it out by point by point, it seems there's support there. >> And again, as I continually ask, securing the border. Does that mean not a single individual, not a fly can get across, or what does it mean? >> As senator flake has said, we don't need a sealed border. We need a secure border. He's pointed to the Yuma border patrol sector as one that fits that definition for him. So we probably have a ways to go in the Tucson sector, but right here in the Yuma sector we've got some positive things to show. >> Another aspect of the questionnaire was, improving the legal immigration system. How was that worded, what did you find? >> That's a big issue in Arizona. Especially within the high-tech community. We've got a system here where we're training the best and brightest in our Universities. And then we wish them bon voyage as they go back to their home country. We've got to find a way around that. If you talk to employers around the chamber board table, whether it's from the AG sector, low-skilled sector, or the high-skilled sector, somebody making silicone wafers, they will tell you our immigration system, our legal Visa system has too much red tape and bureaucracy. And it seems that voters agree. They recognize the need to have ready and able work force to meet our labor needs, whether it's on the low-skilled end or high-skilled end. >> As far as the labor needs are concerned, another aspect of the question was that you need that verification system improved. >> That's right. >> Strengthening, what, E-verify or just a system period? >> Or something like it. In Arizona you go into most business establishments and you'll see the placard in the window, this business participates in E-verify. You're not going to see that in every state around the country. A lot of it has to do with our legal Arizona workers act that the statewide law that was signed here that puts tough sanctions on businesses that knowingly hire undocumented workers. It seems that the Arizona electorate has gotten to a comfort level with that. It seems it's working. And if that were to be rolled out nationwide, voters might -- They might have some comfort with that. >> The final aspect, the top four, the main Len Munsiling of this reform plan is admitting new workers only when Americans can't be found. I asked representative Kirkpatrick, I'll ask you, how viable is something like that? >> It's going to be tough. The chamber would tend to trend towards something that is market driven, at least as much as possible. It would seem voters -- And I don't think anybody can fault this, we don't want a guest worker system that is displacing available American workers. But if you have those sectors of the economy, whether it's agriculture, whether it's high-tech, a guest worker system might be the best way to fill those positions. >> is there a time frame to search for those U.S. workers? >> There is, but as senator flake at our luncheon today did not want to get too far now the front of the gang of eight today. Something he said, Ted, is that when the gang of eight's proposal finally becomes solid at the end of this congressional recess, not everybody is going to be overjoyed with what's in there. And that might be the sign that we have hit the sweet spot. That might be the bill that gets throughout house and senate. It's going to be a bill that not everybody loves. >> Let's talk about the results as far as your statewide survey is concerned. 72%? >> It's surprising. And that is across ethnic selection, the -- Where the -- Whether you're rural or urban. You name it, it's got broad support, 72%. And it's got high support I respective of party affiliation. >> I was going to say sounds like Republicans, 74%, democrats, 69%. Independents, 75%. And by ideology, you've got liberals at 76% approval and Tea Party members 73%. I find it difficult to believe any questionnaire that includes the phrase "path to citizenship" would get much support from the Tea Party at all, regardless of what else is involved. >> Without my crystal ball I don't know how every respondent may have taken that question, but they were told up front, we were talking about this being incumbent upon, or being predicated on strong border security. And that seems ton the linchpin. You saw senator McCain and senator flake and senator Bennett, they are very aware, and are terror senator McCain and senator flake's credit they've made high pressure their fellow gang of eight members know that border security has to be a top component of this package. And perhaps it's the electorate in Arizona that knowing and with some measure of confidence that the border security is going to be there, they'll support the package. >> So what do we take from this? >> It seems the gang of eight has hit the sweet spot. These four broad points they're laying out, it's going to have support, even the senator today mentioned that he's getting a lot of calls, a lot of feedback, but not at the pitch level of rhetoric he was seeing a few years ago. >> Garrett, good to have you here. Thanks for joining us. >>> Wednesday on "Arizona Horizon," it's our weekly legislative update with the "Arizona Capitol Times" and representative Ed pastor will join us in studio to discuss state and national issues. and 10:00 on the next "Arizona Horizon." >>> That is it for now. I'm Ted Simons. Thank you so much for joining us. You have a great evening. >> "Arizona Horizon" is made possible by contributions from the friends of eight. Members of your Arizona PBS station. Thank you. >> When you want to be more informed, eight delivers news and analysis were multiple perspectives. 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