Smith discusses border issues with presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann

Sen. Steve Smith (R-Maricopa) was among members of a group of Arizona legislators who met with presidential candidate Michele Bachmann on Monday at the State Capitol.

Bachmann, a Republican congresswoman from Minnesota, said if she is elected president the federal government will finish the job of building a fence along the United States-Mexico border. After Republican leaders met with the Bachmann for about 40 minutes, a 30-minute press conference was held.

“Things went great,” Smith said. “Michele Bachmann is a smart and well-informed person and wanted to discuss border issues. We let her know what we face in Arizona.”

State Republicans who met with Smith and Bachmann included Senate President Russell Pearce, Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Glendale) and Sheriff Larry Dever of Cochise County. Representatives from law enforcement, border patrol organizations and affected business owners also were present.

Asked when construction of the fence will begin, Smith said he hopes there will be something in ground as soon as possible.

"We are speaking to some folks about getting some fence donated,” Smith said. “We have construction firms on hand and inmate labor.”

Smith said if some of the fence is donated, construction can start before the end of the year.

Much of Arizona’s southern border is on federal land that has a 60-foot easement. Smith said building the fence on that easement will be contingent upon approval from the federal government.

“But the federal government seems to want to do nothing about it,” he said.

The fence can be built on state land and private lands with the property owners’ permission.

The state’s border with Mexico spans for nearly 400 miles, with 60 miles running through the Tohono O’odham Nation.