Agencies foresee $27 million tab if 'Protect Arizona' passes
/The anti-illegal-immigration measure Protect Arizona Now could cost the
state at least $27 million, according to estimates prepared by state
government officials. At the request of Gov. Janet Napolitano, state
agency executives calculated they would need at least $20 million a
year to help cover the underlying cost of checking immigration papers
of everyone who seeks any type of public benefits or assistance. They
also came up with millions of dollars in one-time costs associated with
the measure. Supporters of Proposition 200, which has qualified for the
Nov. 2 ballot, said the cost estimates are an exaggeration aimed at
defeating the measure. [more] 
