Posted on 10/25/2006 2:18:25 PM PDT by LurkedLongEnough
DeStefano calls for the state to issue identification cards as New Haven does
Democrat John DeStefano is running for governor.
One role the state can play in addressing illegal immigration is to issue ID cards, said New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, the Democratic candidate for governor.
"They are a ready victim class. They have no Social Security number so they have no bank account, so they keep a large amount of cash on hand," DeStefano said. "Because of that, they become victims of crimes, but they don't report the crime to police because they are afraid of what will happen."
DeStefano said it can be up to state and local governments to take action when the federal government doesn't respond to a problem.
"Isolation destabilizes these communities," DeStefano said. "In New Haven, we want to know who lives in our community. We issue ID cards."
In New Haven, the identification cards allow the illegal immigrants to work with the city and non-profit groups for certain services in an open way, DeStefano said. This "creates more livable communities," he said.
DeStefano, who is challenging Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell, met Tuesday with The News-Times editorial board. He took questions on immigration, health care and economic development in Connecticut.
Some of these issues are interconnected, according to the mayor.
The most important elements for the state to grow economically are universal health care, improving transportation infrastructure, increasing the state's investment in higher education and enacting a new energy policy, DeStefano said.
DeStefano supports a universal health care plan, he said, which "creates a pool that is a Chevy, not a Cadillac."
The plan would be paid for by eliminating corporate loopholes that allow about half the companies in the state to skimp on taxes. It would focus on prevention, and will offer tax incentives to companies that invest heavily in health care for their workers.
"Universal health care will help taxpayers, it will help business grow and it will grow wealth in Connecticut," DeStefano said.
DeStefano feels the 10-year transportation plan by Rell was inadequate, and supports more rail lines along Interstate 84 and a rail line from New Haven to Springfield, Mass. as part of a larger transportation proposal.
"It's important to see transportation for what it is," DeStefano said. "It's critical to job growth and quality of life."
DeStefano also pledged to provide more funding for public education. He said one of the largest draws for employers is an educated work force.
On energy, DeStefano supports working with a coalition of New England states to find solutions that will help reduce the cost of energy.
DeStefano said he is committed to property tax relief.
"We are the second most dependent state in the nation on property taxes," DeStefano said. "We rank first among most dependent on the property tax in paying for schools."
DeStefano wants to increase municipal aid from the state to keep local taxes lower. He said Rell missed the point in her proposal to eliminate the car tax.
"The goal has got to be to push down property taxes," DeStefano said. "Nobody loses their car because of property taxes. But I've seen people leave their homes or leave the state because of the property tax."
Courtesy Danbury News-Times, he's gets an interview invite; I'm not holding my breath for a Rell interview.
Deport Democrat John DeStefano now!
They've already broken the law by being here. This jerk wants to encourage bad behavior and is for lawbreakers. He should be put in prison.
this turd just voicing the lib/dem point of view...the have broken the law (illegals) by sneaking in to the US and then glomming off social services.....
so this a-hole now wants them to be the victims and reward them with ID cards to get more from the US taxpayers....
and what is worse...how many lib/dems feel the same way!!!!
Hey idiot!!! Where are you going to get the money from?
"DeStefano wants to increase municipal aid from the state to keep local taxes lower."
holy cow! what kind of circular logic is that?
I guess he means they should just PRINT more money ?
Right, and they had checking accounts in mejico; correct?
They also had no high risk of being victims of crime in mejico; no?
Let's pressure Bush to send the illegals home. What part of "illegal" doesn't he understand?
Allowing them to remain could bring us to this. Actually, THIS is what some of the elites would LIKE.
I've been following the arguments by some that we ought no longer require citizens to identify themselves at the polls on Election Day. Apparently, asking prospective voters to do so is considered somehow "unfair."
I agree and believe that what we REALLY ought to do is send absentee ballots to EVERYONE IN THE WORLD so that they, too, may vote in U.S. elections.
If denying the vote to those who have been fortunate enough to get into this country illegally is unfair, is it not doubly unfair to deny it to those languishing in the Third World hellholes America and the other industrialized nations have exploited into ignorance and poverty?
Fairness dictates that we do this so that some day soon these “disenfranchised” fellow citizens of the world may come here and feel at home in the newest Third World hellhole – America.
ping
Bttt!
This is exactly right. And unless you're a privileged Democrat you'll get to go see Mr Goodwrench for your medical needs while he sees the Mayo Clinic.
Connecticut ping!
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
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