Legalizing undocumented immigrants pushed

Mesa, Arizona - Local and national business groups are funding a media campaign launched Wednesday in Arizona to convince voters the United States has done enough to secure the border and now needs to legalize the 12 million or more undocumented immigrants and consider allowing more foreigners into this country.

The group, Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together, is going to spend "several hundred thousand dollars" on TV advertising in four states. Jim Pignatelli, president and chief executive officer of UniSource Energy Corp., the parent of Tucson Electric Power, said the time has come to move the debate along and find ways to help business get the workers they need.

And Pignatelli said the best place to start is with those already here.

Read full story MSNBC

Posted by Phoenix Arizona Construction Site Accident Lawyers

Hundreds of changes to state law take effect today

As of today, it's illegal to sell puppies and other animals along Arizona roads. The state mine inspector can now fill deadly abandoned mines with cement, glass and other donated debris. And fight rules have been relaxed in cage-fighting events, guaranteeing fans more gore.

They are among hundreds of changes to state law that take effect today, the 90th day after the end of the legislative session, referred to by policy wonks as the "general effective date."

The state now will begin enforcing most of the 315 bills Gov. Janet Napolitano signed into law this year. But others, including a bill requiring new fees for off-road vehicles and another that increases penalties for driving a vehicle or boat under the influence, won't become effective until Jan. 1.

Read full story AZ Central

Posted by Phoenix Arizona Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers

Democrats focus on other races to curb sheriff

By East Valley Tribune
East Valley Tribune
updated 3:17 a.m. MT, Mon., Sept. 22, 2008

Mesa, Arizona - Democrats acknowledge the chances of toppling Sheriff Joe Arpaio are slim this year.

But Arpaio is at the core of a strategy Democrats have devised to target other Maricopa County offices to neutralize the popular lawman, whose tactics on issues like combating illegal immigration have polarized the public.

Rather than trying to unseat Arpaio directly, Democrats are trying to keep him in check by claiming victory in other county races, which they have targeted with stronger-than-usual candidates who are raising higher-than-usual amounts of money. And with Democrats vastly outnumbered by Republicans in the county, the party is selectively choosing which GOP candidates to go after.

Read Full Story: MSNBC

Posted By: Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

GOOGLE EXITS THE VALLEY

Google, the Silicon Valley-based search engine company, said Friday that it would close its Tempe office, affecting about fifty jobs. The closure is viewed as a setback to Phoenix's efforts to diversify an economy heavily dependent on low-wage retail jobs.

Read full story on AZ Central Google Exits The Valley

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury and Accidnet Attorneys

More Hispanics expected at polls this year

If there ever was a year in which Hispanics are going to make their presence felt on Election Day, it would seem to be this year.

The 2008 presidential race offers the right mix of candidates and issues to inspire a historically elusive subset of potential voters to mobilize in unprecedented numbers, according to political strategists familiar with the Hispanic market.

Traditionally, Hispanics have lagged behind both non-Hispanic whites and blacks in voting. About 47 percent of all eligible Hispanics voted in the past two presidential elections - the George Bush vs. Al Gore contest in 2000 and the Bush vs. John Kerry election in 2004.

Read full story Eastvalley Tribune More Hispanics expected at polls this year

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys