Posted on 12/03/2003 9:08:00 AM PST by gubamyster
By Ed Mendel STAFF WRITER
December 3, 2003
SACRAMENTO – A group that sponsored Proposition 187, a measure denying public services to illegal immigrants that was blocked by the courts, will try to place a similar initiative on the November ballot next year.
The group is encouraged by the pending repeal of a law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver licenses and the historic election that recalled former Gov. Gray Davis and replaced him with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ron Prince of Save Our State said polls show that Proposition 187 continues to be popular with voters, and drives for the recall and a referendum on the driver license law show that signatures can be gathered on the Internet.
"This business of trying to pander to one ethnic group or another – that doesn't wash very well with the public," Prince said.
The secretary of state gave the group approval yesterday to gather the 598,105 signatures needed to place the initiative on the ballot.
Proposition 187 was passed by voters in 1994 after a divisive campaign, but was struck down in court because of a conflict with federal law. After Davis dropped an appeal in 1999, the backers of Proposition 187 unsuccessfully tried to gather signatures for another initiative.
"Our movement was rather discouraged," Prince said, "and there was not enough interest to be able to do it. The white flag was flying over our side of the issue."
Prince said the new initiative avoids a federal conflict by using language from a law passed by Congress in 1996 that denies taxpayer-supported public services to illegal immigrants, but makes enforcement optional by states.
He said the new initiative does not contain the Proposition 187 ban on children of illegal immigrants attending public schools. But he expects the school ban to be sought in a lawsuit if the measure passes.
The new initiative also prohibits issuing driver licenses to illegal immigrants and would prevent state and local government from accepting identification documents issued by foreign consulates.
Go Arizona!
Not in my area. Most I know are more pissed off than ever. That was maybe their intention, or agenda, but it didn't happen. Those that want to roll over can head to Hacksaw Arkansas.
This was the will of the people. No one fell asleep. We will abide.
That says it all!
Bump!
Change has to happen at the state level since the federal government is at a stalemate over illegal immigration.
Do any of the Freeper legal types know exactly what the "conflict" was?
Has anything changed since then to expect a different outcome?
Other than the 9th Circus Court, is there anything preventing its implementation?
Ron Prince was on John & Ken (KFI 640) yesterday. He stated that the original Prop 187 banned illegals from education & health care. This new prop would not have those restrictions & basically compelled the state of CA to conform to Federal laws.
He indicated they knew of the problems with the original Prop 187 & designed it to challenge earlier Supreme Court rulings on banning illegals from education. Since this new prop does not have the education & health care restrictions, he does not see how it can loose if challenged in court.
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