/ Modified may 15, 2012 9:02 a.m.

State Challenges to Fed Authority Vetoed

Brewer says no to land takeover, banning law-enforcement cooperation

Gov. Jan Brewer Monday vetoed two bills meant to challenge federal authority in Arizona.

The first, SB1332, would have led the state to demand of the federal government that it turn over control of most federal land in Arizona to the state. Supporters of the bill said federal control of millions of acres of forest and range land is stifling the state's economic development efforts.

Brewer said the bill violates the U.S. Constitution and that she was worried about how the state would handle management of an estimated 23 million federal acres.

The bill would have matched a measure passed in Utah, where Gov. Gary Herbert has tried to coalesce fellow governors to challenge federal sovereignty over much of western states' land.

The second bill, SB1182, would have prohibited any Arizona law-enforcement officer from complying with the National Defense Authorization Act, which an anti-terrorism measure. According to the Arizona Republic, Brewer said the bill would force law enforcement to choose between following the U.S. Constitution or state law. She said she would not force police to make such a choice.

The governor has until the end of Tuesday to make decisions on the few bills reminaing on her desk.

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