Posted on 08/10/2006 8:28:00 AM PDT by gaussia
SACRAMENTO - State Republican lawmakers launched a new anti-illegal immigration effort Wednesday, with plans to hold town-hall meetings throughout the state and introduce a new package of bills next year. The effort comes even as the Legislature this month weighs several measures that could benefit illegal immigrants, including two Democratic proposals to help them drive legally in California.
Under Assembly Republicans' plan, a Republican Task Force on Illegal Immigration will gather information on the issue, including holding at least a half-dozen town-hall forums throughout the state by the end of this year.
Assembly members Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, and Audra Strickland, R-Westlake Village, will co-chair the task force.
"Through polls and chatting with people, I know Californians are very concerned and frustrated with the Legislature for doing nothing. At the same time, Congress seems to be at an impasse," said Strickland. "It's high time for the state to step up and do something about it."
Democrats accused the Republicans of inflaming a sensitive issue and questioned the legality of operating a one-party panel using taxpayer resources. But Republicans said they were within their right to run the task force.
"Illegal immigration costs California taxpayers over $10 billion per year," DeVore said. "This task force will further quantify the impact that illegal immigration has on California and propose real solutions to this devastating problem."
Earlier this year, DeVore led the boycott of Mexican President Vicente Fox's speech before the California Legislature.
Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles, said, "These self-appointed vigilantes are doing exactly what their Republican counterparts in Washington are doing about immigration - pitting Americans against each other instead of taking action."
Even as Republicans take a hard line, the Legislature this month is weighing several proposals that would help illegal immigrants drive.
Sen. Gil Cedillo's perennial effort to grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants is back in the Assembly and expected to face a committee vote next week.
Meanwhile, a bill that would prevent police from seizing vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers could come up for a vote on the Assembly floor as soon as today.
Senate Bill 626 by Sen. Nell Soto, D-Ontario, would apply to all drivers who have never obtained a California license.
Critics believe it would mostly affect illegal immigrants, but Soto said her intent was to help any working people who need the vehicles to support their families.
I see Fabian hasn't learned English yet......"Vigilantes?"!!!!!!
ex-Californian ping.
The anchor baby is still learning English. Between fighting for more benefits for illegals and posing in front of the mirror, there's not much time for learning.
Chuck Devore, who I think has a bright future in CA and maybe national politics, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard.
Ex-Californian ~ Bump!
ping
About a half-dozen town halls are expected, beginning this month before the Legislature's scheduled end of its 2005-06 session Aug. 31.The meetings are scheduled to continue through the end of the year, from Redding to San Diego, with the GOP hoping it will lead to the introduction of a major immigration-reform bill package next year.
"Illegal immigration costs California taxpayers over $10 billion per year," said DeVore. "This task force will further quantify the impact that illegal immigration has on California and propose real solutions to this devastating problem."
Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R-Thousand Oaks, will co-chair the task force.
Nunez' representatives also questioned whether GOP lawmakers have the authority to create a state-funded partisan panel.
The announcement of the task force creation was sent from DeVore's state Capitol office, listing legislative aide John Hrabe as a contact.
Hrabe said Republican leaders were within their power to create the task force.
"The main focus is to finally give voice to all the people who have been neglected on this issue," Hrabe said. "One of the priorities is to run the town halls in an orderly and civil fashion that doesn't get into a shouting match."
How much of this is real concern about fixing the problem, and how much is cynical posturing before the elections? I'm growing increasingly infuriated at politicians who pass "tough" laws and then water them down or fail to enforce them.
Here in Maryland, there was a bill proposed to jail and confiscate the vehicles of anyone caught driving without a license. What was finally passed was so watered-down it wasn't worth mentioning, but now the politicians can boast about how they supported legislation cracking down on unlicensed drivers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.