CA: Driver's license amendment pushed

Sac Bee ^ | 10/10/04 | Aurelio Rojas

[NormsRevenge]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won his first legislative victory last year after the California Republican Party contributed $400,000 for a ballot signature drive that forced Democrats to repeal a law intended to allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses.

But as state Sen. Gil Cedillo prepares to introduce his fifth license bill next year, the governor - who recently vetoed an Assembly version - and the GOP are distancing themselves from a ballot measure that could put the issue to rest.

The constitutional amendment would bar the Legislature from granting licenses to illegal immigrants, and cut off their access to professional or commercial licenses and higher education subsidies.

--snip--

Likened to Proposition 187 - the 1994 measure that would have denied public benefits to illegal immigrants but was gutted by the courts - the new measure has reignited debate between moderate and conservative Republicans.

Proposition 187 was overwhelmingly approved by voters, but some moderates say the blurring of legal and illegal immigration during the emotional campaign drove away Latino voters.

Conservatives like Mike Spence, president of the Los Angeles County-based California Republican Assembly, counter that the new measure accurately reflects public disgust with illegal immigration.

Schwarzenegger supported Proposition 187, but the Republican governor has dismissed the new measure as "old hat" and cautioned that "we should find ways to work together rather than to find ways of going the other way."

Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for the state Republican Party, said the GOP "has nothing to do with the current petition" drive and does not think it's necessary.

"As long as there's Democrats in the Legislature, they can continue to thwart the will of the people and pass legislation the people don't want," Hanretty said. "And as long as we have a Republican governor, he'll veto it."

[moehoward]

JMO, but I think that's Arnoldspeak for not a chance. He knows there is absolutely no way to definitively ascertain the history of any Illegal.

[calcowgirl]

Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for the state Republican Party, said
the GOP "has nothing to do with the current petition" drive and does not think it's necessary.

YOU, Ms. Hanretty, are part of the problem!
You certainly don't speak for Republicans.

[calcowgirl]

Great idea! Those who act as "enabler" should also be punished, imo.

[skip_intro]

Why can't this dunce get a clue, say after the third, or fourth

It's quite simple, really. Once they get this passed, there will be nothing to stop illegals from voting, creating a permanent Democrat majority.

[inquest]

Then why doesn't he come out and say it? It's not like there's any political liability for doing so.

[John Jorsett]

Soon enough, Senator Cedillo will pass a bill that meets Arnold's "concerns".

I'm doubting that. One thing Schwarzenegger insists on is that the license be distinguishable from a "regular" license. That's a deal breaker for Cedillo, who I think is just pandering to his constituency at this point. I'm working hard to make sure the SaveOurLicense.com initiative gets on the ballot. Once we pass that, this nonsense will stop and we can move on to other nonsense.

[moehoward]

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, August 31, 2004 "To my fellow immigrants listening tonight, I want you to know how welcome you are in this party. We Republicans admire your ambition. We encourage your dreams. We believe in your future. One thing I learned about America is that if you work hard and play by the rules, this country is truly open to you. You can achieve anything. "

[inquest]

That proves nothing. It's far from being any kind of commitment to do anything.

[FairOpinion]

"The people of California don't need a constitutional amendment, they need to vote their legislature out of office this November. In one stroke a multitude of problems would be solved."

I agree 100%.

[gubamyster]

ping

[moehoward]

You asked "Then why doesn't he come out and say it?"

Looks like he did. Does he mean it? Who knows.........

[junta]

"California" should be in quotations and instead Mexifornia should become the official name of that particular geographic area. The Terminator is but a last ditch stand for Americans in California like the Byzantine emporer in 1453. Soon CA will be Detroit writ large and even the Soviet style propaganda will be seen as a joke beyond the confines of the conservative web.

[janetgreen]

What a contemptible surrender on the part of the GOP in California.

And in Washington! I wonder if the illegal alien situation will be discussed in the next debate. What can two Presidential candidates possibly say about ILLEGAL immigration that will talk 80% of America into accepting it? NOTHING!