Posted on 06/22/2006 1:09:23 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
PHOENIX - Arizona lawmakers agreed to let voters decide whether to deny more state services to illegal immigrants and whether to make English the state's official language.
The GOP-dominated Legislature rejected other ballot measures to criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants in Arizona, set state punishments for businesses that hire illegal foreign labor and stop communities from prohibiting police enforcement of federal immigration law.
The ballot questions emerged after Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano rejected a wide-ranging immigration bill two weeks ago, saying it would have been too easy on errant employers and too expensive for police agencies.
The two measures approved late Wednesday, at the close of a 164-day session, will go on the November ballot.
One would bar illegal immigrants from receiving state-funded child care assistance, attending adult education classes and getting cheaper in-state tuition and financial assistance at the state's public universities and community colleges.
Supporters say such restrictions were needed to discourage illegal immigrants from setting up lives in Arizona. Opponents said it was unfair to punish children whose parents sneaked them into the country.
Supporters of making English the state's official language and requiring that government functions be conducted in English said that proposal was needed to encourage the assimilation of immigrants. Opponents say the proposal wasn't so much about protecting English as it is an attack on illegal immigrants.
Southwestern Arizona has become the nation's busiest immigrant-smuggling hotspot, and the state has huge health care and education costs for illegal immigrants and their families. The Pew Hispanic Research Center estimates that 500,000 of the state's 6 million residents are illegal.
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On the Net:
http://www.azleg.gov
President Bush and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano L) tour the International Border with Mexico (on right) from the Yuma Sector Border on the United States side in San Luis, Arizona, May 18, 2006. Napolitano vetoed a $160 million legislative package on Tuesday that would have made illegal immigration a state crime, saying it was unconstitutional and 'offers no constructive new ideas.' (Larry Downing/Reuters)
Let's see WHO is on the side of Arizona taxpayers.....and who is not!!!!!!!
What is it with these people? Breaking the law is Constitutional? These people are violating their oath of office.... And no one seems to care. Including W.
The military SDIIABCPS (SDI IllegaL Alien Border Crossing Prevention System).
It is fully operational, and awaits the approval by Congress.
She is so scre**ed up. The US constitution specifically gives the states the right to determine who is a legal resident or citizen of their respective states. There is no way a law making illegal aliens subject to state law is unconstitutional. What crap! Why don't the legislature read the US contitution and impeach this bitch?
I'm tempted to press '2' and say, in Spanish, "fukc you, speak English".
Hey, that's an excellent idea! We should all start doing that.
Ok, but how many illegals will be voting. And how many times can they cast their ballot?
When will the ACLU sue to have the vote thrown out?
Arizona needs to get rid of that goofy hag of a governor before she destroys Arizona for good. She is in love with illegals and sees it as a way to keep her and the RATS in power in AZ.
The veto, and that statement are pure political posturing, she is running for re-election, she is pandering to her liberal base.
Why don't the legislature read the US contitution and impeach this bitch?
Because that would be a battle along party lines, the Republicans are one vote short in the Senate.
ping
I thought Prop 200 had already denied services to illegals, other than emergency medical aid and the like.
I sent you a PM.
Press "1" for Uighur!
Whenever I see a story like this I am reminded of Alan Simpson's cute remark about the Republican Party being the stuip party and I think we must be stupid to let a shiite head like Simpson represent us in the senate.
This is another brillent move by Simpson's "stupid party".
It will bring our people out for more than it will bring them out.
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