http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/opinion/45949.php
Our Opinion: Capsule comments
Tucson Citizen
Kyl wants U.S. to pay its bills for immigrants
Arizona, Pima County and other jurisdictions along the U.S.-Mexico border spend millions of dollars annually locking up illegal immigrants who break local and state laws.
The federal government is supposed to reimburse states for these costs, but it hasn't happened. That may change if Sen. Jon Kyl has his way.
The Senate this year designated $407 million to reimburse states, less than half the amount needed.
Now Kyl, an Arizona Republican, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, have introduced legislation that would fully reimburse state and local governments for jailing illegal immigrants.
That would be a huge help for the Arizona budget. Gov. Janet Napolitano has become so frustrated with the feds's failure to pay that she has taken to sending bills to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Last month, Napolitano sent a bill for more than $357 million. It covers fiscal years 2003-2006 and part of 2007, as well as interest on past unpaid amounts.
Napolitano said if Arizona was properly reimbursed, there would be enough money to send every 5-year-old in the state to all-day kindergarten.
Good for Kyl and Feinstein. It's only fair that border states receive full reimbursement for these costs.