Ballot measure to deny AR benefits to illegal aliens coming up short

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Supporters of a ballot measure aimed at denying state benefits for illegal immigrants say they are at least 10,000 signatures short of putting the issue before voters this fall.

Jeannie Burlsworth, chairwoman of Secure Arkansas, told The Associated Press that volunteers were still hoping more signatures would come in the mail Monday. Burlsworth says her group "tried to sweep them in and they're still out there."

Monday is the deadline for supporters of proposed ballot measures to submit signatures with the state. If the petitions are found to not have enough valid signatures, supporters have another 30 days to gather signatures.

Supporters of a ballot measure banning homosexuals from adopting or fostering children say they would submit petitions Monday to place their measures on the November ballot. Petitions have already been submitted for another high-profile ballot measure - a proposed constitutional amendment creating a state-run lottery to raise money for college scholarships.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=8628281