Gov vetoes proposal to make English state's official language

Associated Press
May. 9, 2005 06:15 PM

Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill Monday that would have made English the state's official language and required that government functions be conducted in English.

Supporters say the measure was needed to encourage assimilation of immigrants, while opponents say the bill (SB1167) wasn't so much about protecting English as it is an attack on illegal immigrants.

Nearly seven years ago, a similar voter-approved law making English the state's official language was overturned. The law, approved in 1988, was declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court, which ruled in 1998 that the change violated free-speech rights. advertisement




Republican Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, a staunch advocate for limiting immigration and the lawmaker behind two bills to make English the state's official language, said Napolitano's veto didn't surprise him.

"I sent her an opportunity to demonstrate that she cares about the unity of this nation," Pearce said.

A nearly identical official-language measure (HCR2030) also is under consideration by lawmakers.

That proposal, if approved by the full Legislature, would bypass the governor and instead appear on the 2006 ballot for voters to consider whether to put the change in the state constitution.

That measure cleared the House but stalled in the Senate.

Pearce said he wasn't sure whether that proposal will make it through the Legislature this year. If it doesn't, Pearce said he will push the ballot measure next year.

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On the Net:

Arizona Legislature: http://www.azleg.state.az.us

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