Politics | Arizona Arizona Bill Would Let State Ignore Federal Laws One local columnist sees it as secession-lite By John Johnson Posted Feb 4, 2011 11:14 AM CST Copied Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer , left, accompanied by Arizona Senate President-elect Russell Pearce, in a December file photo. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Arizona state lawmakers are considering a bill that one local columnist says amounts to a de facto attempt at secession. The bill would allow the state to ignore any federal law lawmakers deem unconstitutional, reports KPHO-TV. It would create a committee—comprised of 12 state House and Senate members—to vet federal laws and recommend to the full legislature any they think should go. It "essentially would have Arizona secede from the union without having to do so officially," writes EJ Montini in the Arizona Republic. And while bills like these get floated across the country all the time only to be summarily dismissed, this one just happens to be sponsored by state Senate President Russell Pearce, notes Montini. He's the same legislator who led the push for Arizona's controversial immigration law, adds NPR. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. See the best BBQ cities in the US. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. Report an error