PHOENIX — Arizona launched a website Wednesday to accept donations to pay for fencing along the Mexico border, and a supporter says the $3.8 million people donated to defend the state’s 2010 immigration enforcement law could be just a taste of what to expect.Particularly interesting to me is the idea that people will give $$ to this project because it is tangible – something you can see and feel, as opposed say to, paying for a legal defense. Lots of things still need to be decided, including whether the fence will be built on private or public land, and whether donations will be tax deducible in the end.
President Obama is calling for immigration reform, but Republicans in Congress feel strengthening border security is a higher priority than anything that could be seen as amnesty.
Gov. Jan Brewer’s legal-defense site for the law known as SB1070 raised money for “an intangible service — you’re paying for a lawyer,” said state Sen. Steve Smith. “This, you can taste and smell what you’re getting — you’re paying for a secure border.”
The launch of buildtheborderfence.com was keyed to Wednesday being the date most new laws passed during the Legislature’s 2011 regular session go into effect.
Smith, who sponsored the legislation authorizing the fence project, said Tuesday that his initial goal is $50 million.
Tracking public sentiment around this will be an interesting story to follow. So far it seems like they are trying to sell a compelling combination of: 1) individuals can be part of something great; 2) let’s together do, what government can’t; and, 3) we will be better stewards of the money than they will ever be.
Tea Party heaven.
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