Wilson Blames Ills on Illegal Immigrants : Election: Governor hits familiar themes in Laguna Hills stop; fails to mention massive protest earlier in the day.

Gov. Pete Wilson, failing to mention a massive protest earlier in the day against the immigration ballot initiative he supports, blamed illegal immigrants Sunday for costing the state billions of dollars in education, prison and health services.

In a 45-minute address, Wilson told a largely supportive, elderly audience of about 400 people at the Leisure World retirement community that illegal immigrants soak up 10% of the state’s general fund budget.

But he avoided saying anything about one of the biggest protest marches in Los Angeles in decades. About 70,000 people marched in opposition to Proposition 187, which would bar most state health, education and welfare aid to illegal immigrants. The governor’s image was burned in effigy near City Hall amid speeches and protest slogans that vilified him.

“We are unable to provide services to our own legal residents,” Wilson said in support of Proposition 187. “Now that is terribly unfair. . . . I say we should end those services to illegal immigrants. We are . . . rewarding people for violating U.S. law.”

He showed no sign of concern about the protest as he portrayed himself as law-and-order governor who led the state’s welfare reform effort, promoted a pro-business climate and responded effectively to such crises as the Northridge earthquake.

Running hard for reelection, the governor reserved much of the bite in his speech for his Democratic opponent, State Treasurer Kathleen Brown, accusing her of taking soft positions on both illegal immigration and crime. Brown opposes Proposition 187.

The governor estimated that illegal immigration costs the educational system alone $1.5 billion annually. He reiterated that the money would be better used to put thousands more youngsters in preschool, buy computers for every fourth grader and expand the state health care program for children known as “Healthy Start.”

He derisively dismissed the argument made by Proposition 187 opponents that the state owes an education to children no matter where they come from. The government that owes an education to illegal immigrants “is the government from whence these children came,” Wilson said, drawing applause from his listeners.

Wilson criticized the federal government for forcing states to absorb the costs of what he called a federal problem. He reminded the audience that he had sued the government twice over the issue, and vowed to do it a third time.

Striking out at Brown on crime issues, Wilson charged that she cannot be trusted to appoint judges who will uphold the death penalty--or hold firm herself when asked for clemency.

Wilson compared Brown to her brother, former California Gov. Jerry Brown, reminding listeners that her brother appointed Rose Bird as chief justice on the state Supreme Court. Bird was recalled by voters in 1986 after she voted consistently to overturn death-penalty rulings.

Brown has said she is personally opposed to the death penalty, but would enforce it as governor.

“Do I believe Kathleen Brown will appoint tough judges?” Wilson asked. “ I do not.” The governor said he ran for governor four years ago to make the state a “much safer place,” and he believes he has done that.

“That’s the difference between Ms. Brown and me,” he said. “She’s out of touch with the real people and the real issues. . . . To me, (crime) is the No. 1 issue, the paramount concern.”