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Napolitano, Goddard in court over Prop. 200
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES
May 25, 2005
PHOENIX - Backers of Proposition 200 filed legal papers
Tuesday contending Gov. Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Terry Goddard
"are destroying the Arizona initiative process."
The Yes On Proposition 200 Committee seeks a ruling that the
two Democrats acted illegally in deciding by administrative fiat and legal
opinion that illegal entrants to the United States remain entitled to many
state benefits despite voter approval of the initiative in November.
The initiative requires proof of identification to register
and vote. It also denies "public benefits" to illegal entrants.
A Maricopa County judge refused in March to expand the scope
of Proposition 200 beyond the handful of programs Goddard said are affected.
Plaintiffs attorney David Abney wants the Court of Appeals to
rule it was wrong to toss the case before he got to make his arguments.
Both Napolitano and Goddard denied any attempt to thwart the
will of voters.
"All we do is read the statute as it is drafted," Goddard
said.
He said the restrictions in the initiative were placed in the
state's welfare code, leaving other programs like health care and adult
education unaffected.
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