Cost of AZ immigration law

The city of Phoenix estimates that $90 million worth of convention and hotel business will be lost over the next five years as a result of the state law that requires the cops to ask for proof of citizenship if they suspect someone is in the country illegally. That figure sounds quite low, but then again such economic impact assessments are not terribly reliable. Who knows where this law - and people's attitudes about it - will be in five years. From Real Time Economics:

Recently, several cities in Massachusetts have followed Boston's lead in drafting laws that would prompt cities to cancel contracts with Arizona-based companies. That comes on the heels of similar boycotts by California cities including San Francisco and Oakland. On Monday, Sen. Robert Menendez (R., N.J.) asked Major League Baseball players to boycott the 2011 All-Star game in Phoenix.

From the Arizona Republic:

Recent cancellations include the oldest African-American Greek-lettered fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., which was supposed to hold a July meeting at the Sheraton. The fraternity's annual convention was expected to draw about 5,000 attendees and as many as 10,000 visitors, a fraternity spokesman said. Organizers will now hold that event in Las Vegas. Other cancellations, all for 2012, are the National Association of Black Accountants, the International Communications Association and the National Urban League.

Wonder if the L.A. officials are trying to get a piece of this convention action.

Photo: Phoenix Convention Center