Bilingual initiative wording challenged
Tom Collins
Opponents of a ballot measure aimed at ending bilingual education in Arizona have begun a legal attempt to change the language lawmakers adopted to describe the initiative in a state-produced publicity pamphlet. Those bringing the legal action over Proposition 203 - the English for the Children Initiative - claim lawmakers on a legislative council who wrote descriptions for the ballot have misinterpreted the law. Proposition 203, which will be on the November general election ballot, would eliminate bilingual education in favor of a one-year English-immersion program. Those challenging the pamphlet's wording said legislative council members have wrongly stated the effect the initiative would have on a parent's rights to put children in bilingual education programs. Opponents said that right would be essentially eliminated by the proposal. The legislators' description would be published in the pamphlet mailed to all registered voters.The pamphlet is being proofread, and is to go to press about Aug. 24, state elections officials said. "It's necessary for the voters of Arizona to understand that the ballot issue is not as it is presented," said AlejandraSotomayor, a curriculum specialist at Wakefield Middle School in Tucson. She is a plaintiff in the action filed Monday, before the Arizona Supreme Court. |