Hourly Update

Next stop for Proposition 200: the courts

It passed, but the fight over Proposition 200 is far from over. Apparently, the next stop for this contested issue is the courts. "We didn't lose the war, just the battle," said attorney Danny Ortega, one of those behind the Proposition 200 lawsuit. "The proposition will not be enforced. It's not a surprise that Proposition 200 passed, but it is also no surprise that a lawsuit from several Valley firms is in the works and will be filed in the next few weeks. "It's not unexpected," said Randy Pullen, who supports 200. "I just say bring it on." A lengthy court process will determine the final outcome on the proposition, which requires proof of citizenship when Arizonans register to vote or apply for public benefits. Ortega said the measure makes state employees responsible for immigration control - a major reason for the pending suit. Ortega adds Proposition 200 is not officially a law until the election results are certified. Ortega and his fellow attorneys plan on seeking an injunction to keep the proposition from being enforced when the election results become official later this month. If that doesn't happen, according to Pullen, state workers in violation of the new law can be prosecuted as a Class 2 misdemeanor.