Posted on 01/12/2011 6:59:38 AM PST by laotzu
Governor Perry opened the 2011 Legislative session this afternoon by making two measures which are very important to majority Republicans 'emergencies,' meaning lawmakers can discuss them in the first thirty days of the session.
"Legislation to protect private property rights and address eminent domain issues, and legislation to abolish 'sanctuary cities' in Texas," are the governor's two emergencies, as read by the clerk of the Senate immediately after Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst gaveled the 82nd Legislative session to order.
A 'sanctuary city,' is a city where police and other officers are ordered not to cooperate with federal immigration officials, and where illegal immigrants are not asked by police about their status.
Even though the definition of a 'sanctuary city' is in doubt, the issue is a key item among conservative lawmakers.
"We must abolish sanctuary cities in Texas," Perry said to applause from Senators.
"We need to free up police officers to do their job, of keeping our families and our neighborhoods safe, Perry said. "Immigration laws and their enforcement are the responsibility of the federal government, but we can't compound their failures by preventing Texas peace officers from doing their jobs."
Perry said 'Sanctuary Cities' tie the hands of police, and make Texas less safe.
Perry addressed the stunning projected $27 billion budget shortfall by promising to balance the budget without raising taxes.
He cited the 2003 session, where lawmakers overcame another projected shortfall.
"We'll balance the budget this time too, setting priorities, making tough decisions, and not raising taxes," Perry said. "Together we can make government run leaner, smarter, set the stage for Texas to emerge even stronger in the areas of job creation, education achievement, and public safety."
The session has a load of items to discuss in the coming 140 days, including the redrawing of Congressional districts to conform to the 2010 Census, discussing several immigration issues, considering legalization of casino gambling, and discussing several items which the 101 member super-majority in the House have had on their wish list for years, including tougher restrictions on immigration.
Wonder if someone wants to tell these guys that sanctuary cities were already ruled ILLEGAL in the SB1070 Arizona thing months ago. That Susan “what’s her name” put that in her order, making them illegal, as the case got kicked up to the higher court.
If Texas cannot eliminate the sanctuary city,lets encourage the state to have sanctuary neighborhoods.
Let enlightened,progressive neighborhoods like Travis Heights and Hyde Park take of the poor,disenfranchised ‘undocumented aliens’ they claim to care about so much.
And while the rest of the USA is circling the drain - Texas is growing stronger.
What an amazing coincidence!!
Who are you and what have you done with Governor Perry?
Ping.
This issue is directly connected to the legalization of pot.
Theoretically, you can’t pass a law that says, ‘it is legal to break the law’ which is what the sanctuary cities have done.
Whenever a city or state passes a marijuana law, the Feds head explodes and they rush to quash it.
However, a law that says it is ‘legal’ to be ‘illegal’, they have no problem with it.
This is a classic example of arbitrary and subjective law enforcement. The Fed cherry picks the law.
All the laws in the world are meaningless without enforcement.
Eliminate all sancturary cities except Austin.
This will affect the lawmakers directly and maybe even the dimrats will be forced to address the problem.
Sanctuary cities have been illegal for many years. The focus should not be on banning them, the focus should be on criminally prosecuting any official involved in supporting them. No legislation needed, just the executive branch doing their job and enforcing the law.
This law will put the these law breakers on double secret probation.
That’s not Texas.
The whole concept of a municpality “ordering” its employees not to follow the law is stunning to me. Not sure why Reagan didn’t squash this practice like a bug when he was in office.
God bless Texas.
Yeah but Texas Republicans are usually RINOs like FL Republicans. LBJ Republicans like Kay Bailey and Cornyn.
I hope they do something but I doubt it.
“Eliminate all sancturary cities except Austin.”
Nice. I like that.
I wish Florida would do that. Perry and the GOP better not wimp out. I think Texas has far too many LBJ Republicans.
That's just redundant.
As much as He loves Texas, He really can't spend all of His time here.
Wow.. I suppose no one told Perry that campaign season is over. I like this!
Though I do wonder, what the private property and eminent domain emergency is? Surely nothing to do with his Trans-Texas Corridor?
That's just redundant.
As much as He loves Texas, He really can't spend all of His time here.
That's why He put us closer to Heaven than any other place. Short commute.
Are we mixing two different states here???
Arizona & Texas?
Now, I am confused.
What does this mean ?? Gov. Rick Perry wants to abolish “sanctuary cities” that he says provide a haven for illegal immigrants in Texas, but he isn’t yet saying how he wants that accomplished.
Perry said Wednesday he doesn’t know yet whether he wants local police and sheriff’s deputies asking the immigration status of drivers pulled over. He declined to offer details about how Texas could get rid of so-called sanctuary cities, only saying that a “lengthy and appropriate conversation” will take place
I see this as all talk and no action on Perry’s part.Looks great in print but that is about it..http://www.argus-press.com/news/national/article_4c10f5ba-6984-519c-82af-b4be02c85f06.html
But, APD Chief Acevedo said Austin is NOT a sanctuary city on the news today. I am not joking.
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