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Good to be back. 
A lot of legislation flying.
These all sound reasonable to me.
A lot of legislation flying.
Early session filings call for denial of benefits, tax on funds sent home
09:30 AM CST on Tuesday, November 14, 2006
By KAREN M. BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Texas lawmakers struck hard at illegal immigrants Monday, filing bills that would restrict birthright citizenship, bar them from getting state benefits such as health care and education, make it illegal for them to get business permits and tax them for sending money south of the border.
The first day to file bills for the 2007 session of the Legislature was lawmakers' first chance to jump into the national immigration debate that started earlier this year. Thousands more bills will be filed before the session starts Jan. 9.
Republicans and Democrats said they have no doubt that immigration will be front and center in a diverse mix of issues that will include proposals to protect children, limit property appraisal increases and enhance property rights – concerns that have been overshadowed in recent years by the state's school-finance woes.
"The national [immigration] debate continues, largely because of Congress' failure to act during its last session, so this issue is largely unresolved," said John Colyandro, executive director of the Texas Conservative Coalition.
"Because the issue has really just flared up in the last 18 months, this is the first opportunity for the Texas Legislature to address those issues and pass legislation accordingly."
Immigrant advocates said they fully expect heightened attention to immigration during the legislative session but say their supporters in the statehouse – mostly Democrats – have their own plans for continuing the push for human rights.
"I am very hopeful, because people do understand that the economic contributions of immigrants are essential for the growth of a healthy Texas," said Ana Yanez-Correa, director of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and an immigrant-rights activist who helped coordinate some of this year's most successful pro-immigration rallies.
"I know there will be policies that do increase public safety while at the same time taking into consideration the importance of Texas having a positive relationship with our neighboring country."
Judging from the first-day filings – over 300 bills were filed, more than twice the first-day total for the 2005 session – the climate appears unfriendly to illegal immigrants.
Tax on outgoing money
One bill proposes a constitutional amendment to deny illegal residents any state assistance, including health care, public assistance or education. Another bill would impose an 8 percent tax on money transmitted from Texas to Mexico or other countries in Central or South America.
Legislation by Rep. Leo Berman, a Tyler Republican who narrowly won his primary election in March, targets the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants, saying they shouldn't be allowed to attend public schools, get health benefits, work for the state or cities, go to college or qualify for unemployment.
"These undocumented illegals put a burden on our health care system, our judicial and criminal system and law enforcement, all of which is ultimately paid for by the citizens of Texas," said Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, who filed a bill requiring proof of citizenship to get occupational or business permits. That presumably would include permits to handle food or start a small business.
Mr. Solomons also filed a bill that would authorize the state attorney general to sue the federal government for "costs incurred" by illegal immigration.
"This is not fair," he said of the burden placed on states.
Much of the immigration debate occurs at the national level, because the federal government has authority over most laws governing international borders. But states are jumping into the mix, passing laws restricting benefits for illegal immigrants and putting their own resources into immigration enforcement and border security.
Gov. Rick Perry used border security as a cornerstone of his campaign, promising to ask the Legislature for an additional $100 million to expand programs that have funneled money to border counties for law enforcement.
Issues discussed in '05
The Legislature briefly touched on the issue during its last regular session in 2005 and has flirted in the past with legislation governing voter IDs, allowing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, in-state tuition for immigrants and other similar measures.
In a pre-election Dallas Morning News poll of Texas voters, three-quarters of respondents showed their frustration with illegal immigration, saying they don't want to see illegal immigrants get health care and public assistance.
Illegal immigrants can't get welfare payments, but Texas hospitals and public schools are not allowed to turn anyone away based on residency status.
Ms. Yanez-Correa said she hopes the recent election cycle that gave more power to Democrats in Congress – and, to a lesser extent, Democrats in Austin – will encourage moderation in the immigration debate.
"If we want to look after the state, we want to make sure that the policies we implement are bipartisan and that, in the long run, will provide the tools for all Texans to be able to do what they have to do to become productive citizens," she said.
LET THE BILL BARRAGE BEGIN
Immigration
• Enact a constitutional amendment to prohibit illegal immigrants from benefiting from state services, including health care, public assistance and education.
• Require proof of citizenship on delivery of medical assistance.
• Require proof of citizenship to vote.
• Require proof of legal residence to be considered for in-state tuition at colleges and universities.
• Require proof of employment eligibility to get any kind of business, occupational or professional license from the state, counties or cities.
09:30 AM CST on Tuesday, November 14, 2006
By KAREN M. BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Texas lawmakers struck hard at illegal immigrants Monday, filing bills that would restrict birthright citizenship, bar them from getting state benefits such as health care and education, make it illegal for them to get business permits and tax them for sending money south of the border.
The first day to file bills for the 2007 session of the Legislature was lawmakers' first chance to jump into the national immigration debate that started earlier this year. Thousands more bills will be filed before the session starts Jan. 9.
Republicans and Democrats said they have no doubt that immigration will be front and center in a diverse mix of issues that will include proposals to protect children, limit property appraisal increases and enhance property rights – concerns that have been overshadowed in recent years by the state's school-finance woes.
"The national [immigration] debate continues, largely because of Congress' failure to act during its last session, so this issue is largely unresolved," said John Colyandro, executive director of the Texas Conservative Coalition.
"Because the issue has really just flared up in the last 18 months, this is the first opportunity for the Texas Legislature to address those issues and pass legislation accordingly."
Immigrant advocates said they fully expect heightened attention to immigration during the legislative session but say their supporters in the statehouse – mostly Democrats – have their own plans for continuing the push for human rights.
"I am very hopeful, because people do understand that the economic contributions of immigrants are essential for the growth of a healthy Texas," said Ana Yanez-Correa, director of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and an immigrant-rights activist who helped coordinate some of this year's most successful pro-immigration rallies.
"I know there will be policies that do increase public safety while at the same time taking into consideration the importance of Texas having a positive relationship with our neighboring country."
Judging from the first-day filings – over 300 bills were filed, more than twice the first-day total for the 2005 session – the climate appears unfriendly to illegal immigrants.
Tax on outgoing money
One bill proposes a constitutional amendment to deny illegal residents any state assistance, including health care, public assistance or education. Another bill would impose an 8 percent tax on money transmitted from Texas to Mexico or other countries in Central or South America.
Legislation by Rep. Leo Berman, a Tyler Republican who narrowly won his primary election in March, targets the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants, saying they shouldn't be allowed to attend public schools, get health benefits, work for the state or cities, go to college or qualify for unemployment.
"These undocumented illegals put a burden on our health care system, our judicial and criminal system and law enforcement, all of which is ultimately paid for by the citizens of Texas," said Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, who filed a bill requiring proof of citizenship to get occupational or business permits. That presumably would include permits to handle food or start a small business.
Mr. Solomons also filed a bill that would authorize the state attorney general to sue the federal government for "costs incurred" by illegal immigration.
"This is not fair," he said of the burden placed on states.
Much of the immigration debate occurs at the national level, because the federal government has authority over most laws governing international borders. But states are jumping into the mix, passing laws restricting benefits for illegal immigrants and putting their own resources into immigration enforcement and border security.
Gov. Rick Perry used border security as a cornerstone of his campaign, promising to ask the Legislature for an additional $100 million to expand programs that have funneled money to border counties for law enforcement.
Issues discussed in '05
The Legislature briefly touched on the issue during its last regular session in 2005 and has flirted in the past with legislation governing voter IDs, allowing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, in-state tuition for immigrants and other similar measures.
In a pre-election Dallas Morning News poll of Texas voters, three-quarters of respondents showed their frustration with illegal immigration, saying they don't want to see illegal immigrants get health care and public assistance.
Illegal immigrants can't get welfare payments, but Texas hospitals and public schools are not allowed to turn anyone away based on residency status.
Ms. Yanez-Correa said she hopes the recent election cycle that gave more power to Democrats in Congress – and, to a lesser extent, Democrats in Austin – will encourage moderation in the immigration debate.
"If we want to look after the state, we want to make sure that the policies we implement are bipartisan and that, in the long run, will provide the tools for all Texans to be able to do what they have to do to become productive citizens," she said.
LET THE BILL BARRAGE BEGIN
Immigration
• Enact a constitutional amendment to prohibit illegal immigrants from benefiting from state services, including health care, public assistance and education.
• Require proof of citizenship on delivery of medical assistance.
• Require proof of citizenship to vote.
• Require proof of legal residence to be considered for in-state tuition at colleges and universities.
• Require proof of employment eligibility to get any kind of business, occupational or professional license from the state, counties or cities.
These all sound reasonable to me.
Thanks, bud.
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