|
Bill would limit more services under Prop. 200
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES
|
|
|
|
PHOENIX - The House
Appropriations Committee voted Tuesday
night to deny a host of state services
and privileges to people not in this
country legally, including a higher
education.
The legislation, approved on a 7-6 vote,
greatly expands what voters approved in
November in enacting Proposition 200.
Under the terms of HB 2030, a person
would have to prove citizenship or legal
residency to become an adoptive parent;
participate in the Family Literacy
program; enroll in adult education
services; and obtain housing assistance.
It also requires both the Department of
Economic Security and Department of
Health Services to verify the legal
status of applicants for any
state-funded programs. The only
exception would be for emergency
services.
Individuals not here legally could not
attend state universities or community
colleges, even if they paid the higher
tuition charged to non-residents.
The proposal follows a post-election
ruling by Attorney General Terry Goddard
that Proposition 200 covers only a
handful of state services. HB 2030 is
designed to catch things that the
sponsors of Proposition 200 missed.
Rep. Tom Boone, R-Glendale, said "it's
just not right" for Arizonans to have to
pay for services for people who crossed
the border illegally.
Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, called
the measure "unconscionable" because it
will deny services to children and
others in need. He said lawmakers should
pass laws to penalize businesses that
hire people here illegally.