PHOENIX – Several lawmakers from Mesa, Gilbert and Pinal County sharply criticized a Tucson Democrat this week during a vote that ended in her censure in the state House for what she said was a  "playful" act of moving and hiding Bibles in the lounge used by legislators.

Reps. Justin Heap and Barbara Parker of Mesa along with Teresa Martinez of Casa Grande were among many Republicans who rebuked Tucson Democrat Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, who previously apologized for her actions.

And a Gilbert lawmaker said censure was not enough prior to Tuesday's vote.

The censure vote, which passed 30-28, came after a failed attempt by Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, to impose a harsher punishment – expulsion from the Arizona Legislature.

Grantham’s proposal drew 27 votes, far short of the two-thirds required for such a move, as four Republicans said they could not go along.

"Everyone in this room, every family member I know, everyone has made a poor decision at one time,'' said Rep. David Cook, R-Globe.

"I think this is overkill for a bad-chosen prank,'' he said. "Her apology was good with me.''

But Heap, one of three lawmakers who filed the complaint against Stahl Hamilton, said harsh action is appropriate.

He said it was about more than Stahl Hamilton, who said she was making a point about separation of church and state, hiding the Bibles several times in March and April.

"It was the removing of Bibles and then shoving them under the cushions (of chairs) where members and guests sit, which compels other people to sit on their own sacred scriptures,'' Heap said. "To do so is flagrantly offensive and something the House needs to take seriously.''

And he rejected the idea that Stahl Hamilton was sending a message about whether Bibles are appropriate in a legislative chamber.

Instead, Heap said, the message that it sent to Christian members of the House and "millions of believing Arizonans is that their beliefs and their values are no longer welcome in the halls of government.''

Martinez, House majority whip, said Stahl Hamilton’s contention that she was hiding the Bibles in a sort of peaceful protest against what she saw as a violation of mixing church and state did not ring true.

"A protest is to be done publicly, to people, to their face,'' the Casa Grande Republican said.

And Martinez also questioned the sincerity of what Stahl Hamilton offered as an apology after a videotape from a hidden camera in the lounge showing her hiding the books became public.

"It is one thing to be sorry that you did an action,'' she said. "And it is something else to be sorry that you got caught.''

Parker said there was another flaw in what Stahl Hamilton said was a protest against what she saw as improper mixing church and state.

"It was never put into the Constitution, and it should never be said in the government,'' she said.

"We have the right to speak about religion in the public square,'' Parker added.

"And we have a right to talk about it in our laws and as we make legislation,'' she said. "It encompasses everything that we are.''

Several Democrats came to Stahl Hamilton's defense on Tuesday.

"It's only the Bible I've ever seen in the House lounge,'' said Tucsonan Nancy Gutierrez, not other holy books. "So the righteous indignation is misplaced.''

Rep. Mae Peshlakai of Cameron said for her it is simpler than that.

"I believe in forgiveness,'' she said.