Arizonans support amendment making English official language

[Jean]

Also click on the link to see other polls plus the comments left at the end of the article.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/144301.php

Hourly Update
Poll: Arizonans support amendment making English official language
By Howard Fischer
capitol media services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.29.2006
advertisementPHOENIX -- Arizona voters want to enact one -- and maybe two -- measures aimed at those who cross the border illegally, measures Gov. Janet Napolitano has vetoed.
A new statewide poll of 846 registered voters shows that two thirds of those asked support a constitutional amendment to make English the official language and require that most state business be conducted only in English. Just 27 percent were opposed to the measure, which will be on the ballot as Proposition 103, with the balance undecided.
The same survey released Tuesday also finds 50 percent of those asked back another measure which would deny adult education classes and subsidized child care to those not in this country legally. Proposition 300 also would specify that illegal immigrants are not eligible for the lower tuition at community colleges and state universities available to Arizonans, even if they meet the other legal requirements of residency.
By contrast, 35 percent were opposed with 15 percent undecided.
Napolitano acknowledged she vetoed both measures when they were approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature. But she said the poll results do not mean she is out of step with a majority of Arizonans.
"The same poll showed that Arizonans would like me to serve again as their governor," Napolitano responded.
The survey, conducted in the last week by KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate, does show that Napolitano would handily defeat any of the four Republicans who are vying to become their party's nominee. In fact, 62 percent of people polled said they would vote for her, no matter who else is running against her.
Napolitano said people need to realize that neither measure will stop the flow of people across the border, either in Arizona or nationwide.
"What we need are tough and realistic solutions," she said, including more law enforcement at the border and greater use of technology at ports of entry. And Napolitano said Congress needs to enact changes in immigration laws to increase the number of people who can come into this country to work, "recognizing that this is an economic migration."
Other surveys have shown that, of all issues, voters have the least amount of confidence in Napolitano in the area of border security and immigration. But Napolitano said she was not prepared to comment now on how she will explain her vetoes -- or her opposition to the measures which, like her, will be on the November ballot.
The same survey, which has a margin of error of 3.3 percent, also shows voters supporting two other immigration-related measures, neither of which has ever been presented to the governor. One would deny bail to people accused of serious offenses if they are in this country illegally; the other would bar those who cross the border illegally from collecting punitive damages in lawsuits if they are injured.

[ALIPAC]

Sounds to me like people just do not know Napolitano's real record on immigration. Let's hope she keeps talking and this keeps getting press.

By the numbers, the more the people are exposed to this info, the more her numbers should drop.

W

[Brian503a]

http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5342843&nav=HMO6

Poll finds backing for immigration measures


PHOENIX A new survey of Arizona voters shows most supporting four immigration-related measures that the Legislature put on the November general election ballot

The same poll found a majority opposing an initiative measure on marriage.

Results of the poll were released today.

The poll found support for measures to deny bail to illegal immigrants charged with a serious felony.

Voters also appear to support making English the state's official language while barring illegal immigrants from receiving punitive damages in civil lawsuits.

Voters also favor prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving certain government services and benefits.

The poll found a majority of those surveyed oppose an initiative to amend the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

The poll was conducted Thursday through Tuesday by Channel 8 and A-S-U.

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