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] 