Napolitano yanks Arpaio's immigration funding

by everchanging | May 19, 2008 at 06:32 pm

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As expected, Sheriff Joe Arpaio threw a tantrum when he found out Governor Janet Napolitano was cutting his allowance.

After first reading of the cuts to his immigration enforcement efforts in New Times, Arpaio held an impassioned, late-afternoon news conference on Tuesday to protest the governor's move with his political buddies, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Arizona House Speaker Jim Weiers and Mesa state Representative Russell Pearce.

The story of two powerful Arizona politicans battling over the hot-button immigration issue has now made headlines from here to New York City. You can watch raw video of the news conference on KTVK Channel 3's Web site.

"One thing you don't do is try to take away my money," Arpaio spewed. "I still have a gun and a badge."

The sheriff admitted that he was miffed at Napolitano. The two "had a little meeting" last week, but she hadn't warned him what was coming, he said. He wouldn't elaborate on what was discussed.

"I just want my money back," Arpaio said. "I want her to double it." (Note the emphasis on my).

Meantime, he said, he plans to soon take his ICE-trained deputies back to Mesa, whose police chief, George Gascon, is one of his biggest critics.

"Who says I don't have the money [without the lost state funds], "Arpaio said. "I know how to manage money. We'll get it done one way or another."

Also See Nowpublic: Arizona politicans battling over the hot - button immigration