Arizona House border security package narrowly passes

Governor likely to veto measure that GOP lawmakers say will secure border

Matthew Benson
The Arizona Republic
May. 26, 2006 12:00 AM

Republican state lawmakers pushed through a border security package late Thursday, setting up a showdown with the Democratic governor on what has been the issue of the session.

The measure, House Bill 2577, was narrowly approved by the House and Senate and now heads to Gov. Janet Napolitano.

The governor's response, likely a veto, will almost certainly play a leading role in the campaign for her office leading up to the November election.

Napolitano previously vetoed a bill to expand the state's trespassing law to allow for the arrest of undocumented immigrants. That provision is a key element of the bill approved Thursday.

Republicans say their measure would go a long way toward securing the border and halting incentives such as employment and government subsidies that help attract undocumented immigrants to this country.

"We need to end the taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants," said Sen. Dean Martin, R-Phoenix.

"That's what this bill does."