Arizona Currently Gives Millions of Tax Dollars as Subsidies to Illegal Aliens

Arizona students and families have experienced a 73% increase in tuition over the past four years at colleges and universities. US citizens from other states attending Arizona schools have to pay the full cost of tuition, (out-of-state tuition). However, citizens of foreign countries, who break the law to enter Arizona illegally, are given in-state tuition, subsidized 50% or more by AZ taxpayers. It's not fair; it's not right for taxpayers to have to pay millions in subsidies for illegals. A US citizen, single mother, and Arizona resident who needs help with child care costs may not get help and have to go on a waiting list because the program is full of illegals. Taxpayers are funding free daycare for illegals so they can work at a job that's illegal for them to have. 2004's "Protect Arizona Now" was supposed to end these kinds of public benefits to illegals. However, Attorney General Goddard and Governor Napolitano craftily created loopholes to allow illegals to continue to receive taxpayer funded services. The people spoke loudly, clearly, and were ignored. Last year, we passed a bill to close these loopholes, and Governor Napolitano promptly VETOED it (HB2030). That's why I sponsored the legislation to give you a chance to override the Governor's veto by voting yes on Prop 300. We have many needs in Arizona; if we end taxpayer subsidies for illegals, we will save millions of tax dollars that could benefit US citizens. How can we expect anyone to follow immigration law if Arizona keeps giving away the benefits of citizenship and legal migration to those who ignore our laws? It's time to stop spending our tax dollars subsidizing illegal behavior. Let's close these loopholes by passing Prop 300. Sen. Dean Martin Sponsor, Prop. 300 Senate Finance Chairman