Posted on 07/05/2006 6:04:34 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
DENVER - Colorado should not wait for the federal government to stop illegal immigration but should implement its own plans, Gov. Bill Owens said Wednesday.
The Republican governor told the Joint Budget Committee, which held hearings Wednesday to discuss the cost of illegal immigration, that Colorado spends about $560 million a year educating illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children, who are legal citizens.
He said that the cost falls most heavily on local governments and that the federal government is doing little to help.
"I wish the federal government were a better ally," said Owens, who has strongly supported President Bush.
Owens told legislators the state could sharply reduce the number of illegal immigrants in Colorado by setting up a secure identification system, requiring job applicants to present a driver's license or identity card before they could get a job. The plan could be a model for other states, he said.
Owens had already called the Legislature into a special session, which opens Thursday, in part to consider an immigration measure.
The Supreme Court last month disqualified a petition initiative for the November ballot that would have asked voters to cut off most state services to people who are in the country illegally.
The court said the petition illegally addressed more than one subject. Owens wants lawmakers to place the issue on the ballot directly to avoid the court's objection.
Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, left, makes a point during a news conference Wednesday, July 5, 2006, in Denver. Owens underscored a need for identity theft laws to be considered during the state Legislature's special session set to start on Thursday. Looking on is Rick Grice, the executive director of Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Why, didn't he learn from Utah that the people want amnesty and open borders? LOL
Owens had already called the Legislature into a special session, which opens Thursday, in part to consider an immigration measure.
The Supreme Court last month disqualified a petition initiative for the November ballot that would have asked voters to cut off most state services to people who are in the country illegally.
The court said the petition illegally addressed more than one subject. Owens wants lawmakers to place the issue on the ballot directly to avoid the court's objection.
Having the people vote. A revolutionary concept. :-)
Having a vote or referendum will stop the court in what way? What a joke.
FMCDH(BITS)
He couldn't whip a cigar store Indian and now he's giving advice ?
They can revise it so it only has one subject and put it on the ballot.
Well, they get a birth certificate when they give birth at taxpayer expense....after they get their free prenatal care and WIC, of course. Then they take that shiny new birth certificate, and apply for welfare.
ping
ping
That will change when the Senate's terrorist bill against the American citizens gets passed. Every one of us will give the last dime we have to the illegals before it is over. I know how it is in our county, and how the schools rob us to educate illegal's children. When we complain in our local newsrag, we are called "racists". That is the future of America, thanks to George Bush.
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