By The Time I Get To Arizona, Part 4

The immigration law backlash against Arizona's tourism industry is getting so bad that bond rating agency Moody's says it may soon have to lower the state's credit rating.

Nineteen conferences have been canceled so far in Arizona as a result of the legislation adopted last month, according to a Moody’s Investors Service report Monday. The desertion — with threats of more to come on the horizon — casts a cloud over the state’s bond rating, according to the Moody’s outlook reported by Bloomberg News.

Arizona was among the states hit hardest by the home-mortgage meltdown, and threats of travel boycotts have only darkened the state’s financial picture. Tourism spending produced $1 billion in state and local tax revenue for Arizona in 2008, Moody’s said.

“Preliminary response to the immigration legislation has already had some impact on the state’s tourism/travel sector,” Maria Coritsidis, a Moody’s analyst, wrote in this week’s report from the ratings company. “A serious weakening of this important sector, however, could have a negative impact on the state’s credit, as it could lead to further weakening of state finances that have already been negatively affected by the recession.”

The cancellations thus far will cost the state only about $6 million in revenue, Moody’s said, but critics of the new law are swinging for the fences. The National Council of La Raza has threatened to boycott Major League Baseball's 2011 All-Star Game, slated for Phoenix, and nearly 30 organizations have now joined the protest, CNN reported Tuesday. Some Congress members, including Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.), also have pushed for a boycott of the game.

"We've been very encouraged by the response," Clarissa Martinez, director of immigration and national campaigns for La Raza, told CNN.

Direct-travel spending in the Grand Canyon State is about $19 billion a year, according to CNN.

The Phoenix area alone could take a $90 million hit in lost tourism revenue, not including the all-star game, the New York Daily News reported. Four major events in the city have been canceled.

"We have an image and public relations problem of what might be unprecedented proportions," said Deputy City Manager David Krietor.

Does the phrase "Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind" mean anything to you, Arizona GOP?   It should.

Having said that, the argument is that the boycott is doing more damage to Arizona's poorest residents than anyone, and that's a legitimate argument.  On the other hand, Arizona wants to boycott the cities and businesses boycotting Arizona back, and wants FOX viewers to help.

We'll see who wins.