Thread: Governor Vetoes English As Official Language (AZ)

http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S= ... v=23KuZeQY

Governor Vetoes English As Official Language
May 9. 2005

PHOENIX (AP) -- 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.

In her veto letter, Napolitano said she believes non-English speakers should be encouraged to learn the language, but that the bill didn't do anything toward that end.

As it considered the bill, the Legislature had yet to adequately fund school programs for English learners. "Under these circumstances, making English the only language for official action is contradictory at best," Napolitano wrote.

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.

Arizona has been dogged by a heavy flow of illegal immigrants since the government tightened enforcement in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego during the mid-1990s.

While immigrants provide the American economy with cheap labor, Arizona and other states shoulder huge health care and education costs for illegal workers and their families.

Frustrated lawmakers in Arizona have proposed several bills this year aimed at confronting illegal immigration and related issues.

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.

Gov Napolitano obviously isn't working toward helping immigrants to assimilate into the America, by making it optional to learn the english language. People like her do not derserve to hold any political position, if they have no intention of representing America's interests.