http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/138820

TV debate focuses on border
GOP candidates for governor spar on issue, solution
By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.21.2006
TEMPE — Arizona should consider the benefits to the state from undocumented workers before spending more taxpayer dollars in an effort to cut down on illegal immigration, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Gary Tupper said Thursday.

In a televised debate, Tupper chastised various proposals by his three primary foes who all support doing more — at state expense — to try to stop people from coming across the border illegally. Those include stationing Arizona's National Guard units in Southern Arizona, buying radar to spot border crossers and allowing — if not requiring — local police to arrest those not here legally.

Lost in all those plans, Tupper said, is the question of whether there are benefits from having at least some of these illegal workers here.

"I think we have to figure out who is contributing and who isn't contributing," Tupper said on the debate, televised on KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate. The debate also will run on KUAT-TV in Tucson, but it wasn't known when as of Thursday night.

"How much is this going to cost and is it worth taxpayer money?" he asked.

Tupper said some of them may actually be earning the right to some state services. That includes services that a measure on the November ballot would cut off: subsidized child care, adult education and the ability to attend state universities and community colleges while paying the lower tuition charged to Arizona residents.

That idea drew derision from Don Goldwater who said illegal entrants cost everyone else money.

"They're not bringing in any benefits to the state," he said. "They are costing the state billions of dollars."

Mike Harris said he's been told that many criminals try to enter the United States illegally from Mexico.

"We're being inundated not just with good, hardworking people who are looking for a better life," he said.

Len Munsil said it is appropriate to use state resources to cut down on illegal entrants.

"The fundamental role of government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens," he said.

Munsil said that since he took office in January 2003, more than 5 million people have crossed the Arizona-Mexico border illegally. He said that is why he would have signed legislation to spend money to lease or purchase ground radar "so we can see every illegal crossing before it occurs" and then deploy people to stop them before they get into this country.

Munsil said he supported legislation, vetoed by incumbent Gov. Janet Napolitano, to allow state and local police to arrest illegal entrants on state charges of trespass.

Goldwater went a step further, saying police should be required to arrest illegal entrants.

He said entering the country illegally already is a violation of federal law. He said a new state law would clarify what he already believes to be true: that local police can enforce the federal law.

"This is not a realistic law," Tupper responded.

"We can't arrest everybody," he saidd, at least not without a massive cost in police time and jailing costs. Tupper said border enforcement is a federal responsibility "and I don't see any reason to waste our state tax dollars on that."

The issue of border security is going to play a crucial role in this year's election for whoever survives the Sept. 12 GOP primary to face off against Napolitano. Earlier this year she vetoed several measures on the ballot, including expansion of Proposition 200 approved by voters last year, which denied some public benefits to those not here legally.