Governor Jan Brewer says federal government is blackmailing Arizona

PHOENIX - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer scolded the federal government during an interview with ABC15 News Thursday.

"It makes it extremely hard when you have a federal government demanding the states to provide certain services and blackmailing you by taking other dollars away if you don’t do what they wish you to do; it makes it very, very difficult," said Brewer.

The Republican said that despite Arizona's hardships, the state is still performing better than California and Nevada, but that it is difficult to live up "to the politics of the federal government."

WATCH THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW IN THE ATTACHED VIDEO WINDOW

Brewer defended her record on Arizona's economic state during the interview, saying she has been governor under very difficult times.

"When you think of what I inherited from five high-rolling years of growing programs, increasing programs, and spending, and then being hit by a recession on top of it, I was faced with a huge crisis, the largest crisis Arizona has ever faced, and we rolled up our sleeves," said Brewer.

Governor Brewer also explained her decision to stay away from more debates with opponent Terry Goddard.

"I think I am in the public forum," said Republican Brewer. "I’m out in the community every day…people have known Jan Brewer for 28 years, they know exactly what her philosophy is and they know what her platform is."

Brewer said there are striking differences between her and Goddard.

"I’m Jan Brewer, who makes tough decisions and tries to do the right thing," said the governor. "Mr. Goddard kinda waits around, and puts his finger in the air and decides."

The governor reiterated her platform on border security, saying it's the responsibility of the federal government to secure our border.

She said that Arizona cannot sustain illegal immigration and the costs related to it. She highlighted healthcare, education and incarceration costs as problems.

"Secure our borders and most of these problems will go away," said Brewer. "Quit taxing and spending and regulating federal government and the states can do well in their own states, we know what’s good for Arizona, we don’t need those kind of mandates."

While Brewer addressed many issues during the conversation, she spent most of her time addressing the economy, calling our state's budget a moving target.

The governor said she would continue to fight Arizona's budget deficit in a variety of ways.

"I think we need to go back and re-evaluate everything the government provides, we need to do a better job of using our dollars in the appropriate places," said Brewer. "Bottom line is when you deal with the budget, you have to take into consideration and do the best you can with what you’ve got for the people of Arizona."

Brewer said protecting education was also vital to the state's future.

"If we’re going to turn the state around, if we’re gonna get our economy turned back, than we have to protect education, it’s the bottom line," said the governor. "We know when we go out to recruit businesses and talk to Arizona businesses, that they need a skilled workforce and that is only based on good education."