By KAREN BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News
kmbrooks@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Texas Republican lawmakers want an attorney general's opinion on how far the state can go in dealing with illegal immigration, providing an early snapshot of the looming fight in the Texas Legislature next year.
On Tuesday, Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, and Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, asked Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott if the state could legally yank the business licenses of employers who hire illegal workers, hinting that such strong sanctions – already enacted in Arizona – could find support in the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature.
They also asked if they're allowed to ban cities from enacting "sanctuary" ordinances that prohibit city workers, including police, from enforcing immigration laws – as Fort Worth and Austin have done.
"I really believe that the citizenry are asking for something to be done," said Mr. Corte, chairman of the House GOP.
The two questions are a warning shot to immigration advocates and the business community about where some of the hot spots of the debate will be.
Several cities already encourage their police not to focus on immigration status of witnesses and victims, and some legislators want to ban such practices.
As for stronger business sanctions, Mr. Corte said he thinks such a proposal would get support in the GOP-controlled House, in spite of what is sure to be strong resistance from the business community – which tends to support Republicans and are major donors to state leaders like Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Tom Craddick.
Last year, Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, withdrew his proposal to cut businesses from the Texas Enterprise Fund for immigration violations after business groups agreed to support reforms at the federal level and not the state level.
On Tuesday, Mr. Anchia maintained that comprehensive reform at the federal level was the way to solve the problem, not "patchwork" state laws that he said do more harm than good.
"I understand everyone's frustration with the lack of action by the federal government, but trying to legislate federal immigration law from the state level could have detrimental effects on our already soft economy," he said.
Showing posts with label Tom Craddick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tom Craddick. Show all posts
August 20, 2008
June 18, 2008
House committee makes progress on border laws
House committee makes progress on border laws
by Bob Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:21 AM CDT
House committee makes progress on border laws
Rep. Swinford heads committee considering city, county and state officers to deport illegal immigrants
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
A Texas House committee instructed by Speaker Tom Craddick of Midland has held two hearings on training city, county and state law enforcement officers to assist federal immigration agents and is considering recommending the plan to the 81st Legislature in January.
State Affairs Committee Chairman David Swinford, R-Dumas, said illegal border crossings have been cut by 60-70 percent since the first of this year and drug gangs pushed into an internecine paroxysm of self destruction.
His committee convened in March in Edinburg on the Texas-Mexico border and again last month in Austin, where members separated feasible ideas from ones that would be quashed in appellate courts.
"It would let the cities, counties and state criminal justice system take training and be able to do the same things the Border Patrol does," said Swinford. "We looked at laws that have passed scrutiny in Oklahoma and if they continue passing, we'll have them in our report in September or October."
He said the nine-member committee is viewing a variety of issues alongside U.S. Customs & Border Protection's Section 287-G, which allows delegation of authority to deport undocumented workers and pursue human and narcotics trafficking, violent crimes and money laundering with five weeks of U.S. Border Patrol training.
In a similar Craddick initiative, House Corrections Committee Chairman Jerry Madden, R-Plano, is reviewing requiring city and county jails to notify federal authorities before releasing "illegals."
Appropriations Committee Chairman Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, and Swinford visited one of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "war rooms" near Edinburg and watched the surveillance of a Mexican drug gang about to move a load of narcotics.
"There was all kinds of activity, speeding and running stop signs," Swinford said. "It built and built and finally there was a drug deal moving. They're fighting among themselves because we're creating havoc and their cost of doing business is going up."
He said the House's $110 million border security appropriation last year in Austin has been a major factor.
With increases in the Border Patrol's 16,000 agent force, the Texas Department of Public Safety is rotating troopers to the border 200 at a time and the Department of Parks & Wildlife is assigning game wardens. "The cooperation right now is the best we've ever seen," Swinford said.
"Warren and I learned that we're using Border Patrol helicopters and unmanned aircraft. The Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, N.M., has just put 300 new agents into service and is about to graduate 300 more.
"We ought to give our Border Patrol agents the absolute right to defend themselves because they're down there in a dangerous situation. Most of the drug deals are out in the country and it's a full bore deal."
Swinford said other report topics will be border fencing and hiring undocumented workers.
"We have a 1,241-mile border with Mexico with 96 percent of it held by private owners," he said. "Fences are problematic for folks whose only water is in the Rio Grande because they may have 10,000 head of cattle. If illegals can't cross, neither can cattle. We take away people's property rights when we do that.
"We don't have a verifiable good source of identification. If they bring in two forged documents just like the ones you carry around, I don't think we ought to be shooting the businessmen because they don't have any way to tell."
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2008/06/18/news/top_stories/border_committee.txt
by Bob Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:21 AM CDT
House committee makes progress on border laws
Rep. Swinford heads committee considering city, county and state officers to deport illegal immigrants
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
A Texas House committee instructed by Speaker Tom Craddick of Midland has held two hearings on training city, county and state law enforcement officers to assist federal immigration agents and is considering recommending the plan to the 81st Legislature in January.
State Affairs Committee Chairman David Swinford, R-Dumas, said illegal border crossings have been cut by 60-70 percent since the first of this year and drug gangs pushed into an internecine paroxysm of self destruction.
His committee convened in March in Edinburg on the Texas-Mexico border and again last month in Austin, where members separated feasible ideas from ones that would be quashed in appellate courts.
"It would let the cities, counties and state criminal justice system take training and be able to do the same things the Border Patrol does," said Swinford. "We looked at laws that have passed scrutiny in Oklahoma and if they continue passing, we'll have them in our report in September or October."
He said the nine-member committee is viewing a variety of issues alongside U.S. Customs & Border Protection's Section 287-G, which allows delegation of authority to deport undocumented workers and pursue human and narcotics trafficking, violent crimes and money laundering with five weeks of U.S. Border Patrol training.
In a similar Craddick initiative, House Corrections Committee Chairman Jerry Madden, R-Plano, is reviewing requiring city and county jails to notify federal authorities before releasing "illegals."
Appropriations Committee Chairman Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, and Swinford visited one of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "war rooms" near Edinburg and watched the surveillance of a Mexican drug gang about to move a load of narcotics.
"There was all kinds of activity, speeding and running stop signs," Swinford said. "It built and built and finally there was a drug deal moving. They're fighting among themselves because we're creating havoc and their cost of doing business is going up."
He said the House's $110 million border security appropriation last year in Austin has been a major factor.
With increases in the Border Patrol's 16,000 agent force, the Texas Department of Public Safety is rotating troopers to the border 200 at a time and the Department of Parks & Wildlife is assigning game wardens. "The cooperation right now is the best we've ever seen," Swinford said.
"Warren and I learned that we're using Border Patrol helicopters and unmanned aircraft. The Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, N.M., has just put 300 new agents into service and is about to graduate 300 more.
"We ought to give our Border Patrol agents the absolute right to defend themselves because they're down there in a dangerous situation. Most of the drug deals are out in the country and it's a full bore deal."
Swinford said other report topics will be border fencing and hiring undocumented workers.
"We have a 1,241-mile border with Mexico with 96 percent of it held by private owners," he said. "Fences are problematic for folks whose only water is in the Rio Grande because they may have 10,000 head of cattle. If illegals can't cross, neither can cattle. We take away people's property rights when we do that.
"We don't have a verifiable good source of identification. If they bring in two forged documents just like the ones you carry around, I don't think we ought to be shooting the businessmen because they don't have any way to tell."
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2008/06/18/news/top_stories/border_committee.txt
June 1, 2008
Immigration Issue May Push Rep. Berman To Run For Governor
June 01, 2008
Immigration Issue May Push Rep. Berman To Run For Governor
Roy Maynard
The battle lines are being drawn for the upcoming legislative session, and immigration will again be a contentious debate.
State Rep. Leo Berman is raising the stakes now, however. The Tyler Republican says that if he’s not satisfied with the progress made at the Capital, he’ll run for governor.
“We don’t have any leadership in Texas that’s committed to real immigration reform,” Berman says. “I’m going to lead an effort among a dozen Republicans to introduce 20 to 30 new bills dealing with illegal immigration. If we can’t do anything on those bills, then at the end of the session, I will announce my candidacy for governor, on the pledge that if elected, I’ll do something about the issue.”
Gov. Rick Perry — who has announced his plans to run for re-election in 2010 — has opposed Berman’s bills in the past.
“I think any of those types of legislation that create divisions are bad. We need to look at ways to be bringing people together, rather than driving wedges between them,” Perry said prior to the last legislative session.
House Speaker Tom Craddick has also opposed most state-level fixes to what he sees as federal issues.
“Historically, the federal government has dealt with immigration,” Craddick said through his spokesman, Chris Cutrone, in 2006.
And the chairman of the committee that would normally hear these bills, Rep. David Swinford, staunchly opposed Berman’s efforts in 2007.
Berman had hoped for some progress; he’s won a pledge from Craddick that should allow him to send immigration bills to other committees, bypassing Swinford.
And Berman’s now armed with the irrefutable endorsement for immigration reform voiced by Texas Republican voters.
In March, Republicans casting ballots in the primaries voted on a measure saying that “Federal, state and local officials should be required to enforce U.S. immigration laws in order to secure our borders.” They approved the referendum by 96.33 percent.
But it’s still going to be an uphill battle to win over the leadership, Berman acknowledges.
That’s why he’s upping the ante.
“If we can’t get anything done concerning illegal aliens, I’ll run,” he said. “For six months (following the close of the session), I’ll travel the entire state talking to Republicans about the issue. I’ll talk to anyone who will listen.”
He admits his announcement “is a little surprising.”
“I know it’s going to be a shock to a lot of people, especially to those people in Austin who play musical chairs on their way to the governor’s office — running for land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, other offices as stepping stones,” he said. “But I’m a five-term state legislator, so I’ve got the standing to run.”
It would be a dark horse campaign – not unlike the presidential campaign of Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, who also ran on the issue of immigration. Tancredo’s campaign sputtered to a stop in December, out of funds and never really registering on the polls.
“There are differences,” Berman says. “It’s a lot tougher running for president. But we’re talking about the Texas Republican primary here, and I can reach out to every single primary voter if I have to.”
He said he’ll use fundraising as a gauge to help determine whether he should stay in the race.
“If I haven’t raised enough money to mount a serious run by December (2009), then I just won’t file for governor,” he said.
------
Early Returns is the political observations column of staff writer Roy Maynard, who can be reached at 903-596-6291 or at roymaynardtmt@gmail.com.
Immigration Issue May Push Rep. Berman To Run For Governor
Roy Maynard
The battle lines are being drawn for the upcoming legislative session, and immigration will again be a contentious debate.
State Rep. Leo Berman is raising the stakes now, however. The Tyler Republican says that if he’s not satisfied with the progress made at the Capital, he’ll run for governor.
“We don’t have any leadership in Texas that’s committed to real immigration reform,” Berman says. “I’m going to lead an effort among a dozen Republicans to introduce 20 to 30 new bills dealing with illegal immigration. If we can’t do anything on those bills, then at the end of the session, I will announce my candidacy for governor, on the pledge that if elected, I’ll do something about the issue.”
Gov. Rick Perry — who has announced his plans to run for re-election in 2010 — has opposed Berman’s bills in the past.
“I think any of those types of legislation that create divisions are bad. We need to look at ways to be bringing people together, rather than driving wedges between them,” Perry said prior to the last legislative session.
House Speaker Tom Craddick has also opposed most state-level fixes to what he sees as federal issues.
“Historically, the federal government has dealt with immigration,” Craddick said through his spokesman, Chris Cutrone, in 2006.
And the chairman of the committee that would normally hear these bills, Rep. David Swinford, staunchly opposed Berman’s efforts in 2007.
Berman had hoped for some progress; he’s won a pledge from Craddick that should allow him to send immigration bills to other committees, bypassing Swinford.
And Berman’s now armed with the irrefutable endorsement for immigration reform voiced by Texas Republican voters.
In March, Republicans casting ballots in the primaries voted on a measure saying that “Federal, state and local officials should be required to enforce U.S. immigration laws in order to secure our borders.” They approved the referendum by 96.33 percent.
But it’s still going to be an uphill battle to win over the leadership, Berman acknowledges.
That’s why he’s upping the ante.
“If we can’t get anything done concerning illegal aliens, I’ll run,” he said. “For six months (following the close of the session), I’ll travel the entire state talking to Republicans about the issue. I’ll talk to anyone who will listen.”
He admits his announcement “is a little surprising.”
“I know it’s going to be a shock to a lot of people, especially to those people in Austin who play musical chairs on their way to the governor’s office — running for land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, other offices as stepping stones,” he said. “But I’m a five-term state legislator, so I’ve got the standing to run.”
It would be a dark horse campaign – not unlike the presidential campaign of Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, who also ran on the issue of immigration. Tancredo’s campaign sputtered to a stop in December, out of funds and never really registering on the polls.
“There are differences,” Berman says. “It’s a lot tougher running for president. But we’re talking about the Texas Republican primary here, and I can reach out to every single primary voter if I have to.”
He said he’ll use fundraising as a gauge to help determine whether he should stay in the race.
“If I haven’t raised enough money to mount a serious run by December (2009), then I just won’t file for governor,” he said.
------
Early Returns is the political observations column of staff writer Roy Maynard, who can be reached at 903-596-6291 or at roymaynardtmt@gmail.com.
April 2, 2008
Texas lawmaker pushes for end to 'ghost voting': Fingerprint technology proposed for each House member's desk
Texas lawmaker pushes for end to 'ghost voting'
Fingerprint technology proposed for each House member's desk
10:16 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 2, 2008
By KAREN BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News
kmbrooks@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Dallas Rep. Tony Goolsby is pushing for an end to so-called "ghost voting" by Texas House members, asking for their input on a proposal to install fingerprint technology into their desk voting machines.
Download: See the letter from state Rep. Tony Goolsby to House members
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/04-08/0403goolsby.pdf
The change would end the practice of lawmakers voting each other in absentia, a long tradition roundly criticized by open-government advocates.
Mr. Goolsby, a Republican who heads the House Administration Committee that would oversee such a project, said in a letter to House members that the situation needs to be resolved "effectively and permanently." He plans to start holding hearings on implementing what he called a "very significant change" in House procedures.
"It would be necessary for members to attend to floor proceedings, in person, beginning with the initial roll call continuing through every record vote," Mr. Goolsby said in a letter he sent to all House members on Wednesday. "Members need to understand that the implementation of this change would end any voting other than by the individual member's own personal presence and physical action."
Installing the machines at all 150 desks, as well as a couple in each corner of the chamber and a few in the members' lounge, could cost roughly $400,000, but Mr. Goolsby said that the committee is still pricing the project.
He declined to comment further, saying he wanted to get more input from House members.
House members have been criticized for voting from each others' desks, which they've defended as a courtesy and matter of trust among members.
They also say that it allows them to not miss votes while they're outside the chamber meeting with lobbyists or constituent groups, who routinely call them off the House floor during session.
But the practice has also led to convenient excuses for changing votes on controversial issues, opening the House with less than a quorum, and embarrassing situations over the years – including an incident in which a House member was shown voting after he'd died.
House Speaker Tom Craddick wants the issue addressed, spokeswoman Alexis DeLee said, though he isn't endorsing a specific approach.
"We recognize it's a concern, and we're asking members to look for solutions," she said.
Open government advocates called it "a great idea."
"Every session there's some embarrassing story about legislators getting caught voting for their colleagues on the floor," said Tom "Smitty" Smith of Public Citizen. "And the citizens are often puzzled by the phenomenon of legislators reaching all over the desks and punching other peoples' voting machines."
Currently, members can simply lock their desk voting machines when they leave the desk, but it's voluntary.
Unlike Congress, where members are given 15 minutes' notice before each vote so they can return to the floor in time to record their votes, a vote on the House floor can come up at any time.
Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, who last session was shown voting in favor of a bill that he had railed against on the floor, said he would consider supporting Mr. Goolsby's proposal only if there were machines in other places, like the chamber corners and the members' lounge, in addition to the desks, to allow them to conduct business away from their desks.
"It has some merit," he said, "but it starts the conversation instead of finishing it."
Instances of 'ghost voting' in the Texas House •In 1991, Houston Rep. Larry Evans died unexpectedly early one morning but was shown voting at least three times on measures throughout the day.
•In July 2005, someone voted as Reps. Trey Martinez Fischer and Craig Eiland, both Democrats, during a crucial vote on a tax-swap bill. Turns out Mr. Eiland was in Boston and Mr. Martinez Fischer was in Spain.
•In 2007, Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, was recorded as voting in favor of a bill exempting the names of concealed-handgun licensees from open-records laws after he had railed against it on the House floor. Mr. Coleman was in his office during the vote.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/040308dntexghostvoting.33655b3.html
Fingerprint technology proposed for each House member's desk
10:16 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 2, 2008
By KAREN BROOKS / The Dallas Morning News
kmbrooks@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Dallas Rep. Tony Goolsby is pushing for an end to so-called "ghost voting" by Texas House members, asking for their input on a proposal to install fingerprint technology into their desk voting machines.
Download: See the letter from state Rep. Tony Goolsby to House members
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/04-08/0403goolsby.pdf
The change would end the practice of lawmakers voting each other in absentia, a long tradition roundly criticized by open-government advocates.
Mr. Goolsby, a Republican who heads the House Administration Committee that would oversee such a project, said in a letter to House members that the situation needs to be resolved "effectively and permanently." He plans to start holding hearings on implementing what he called a "very significant change" in House procedures.
"It would be necessary for members to attend to floor proceedings, in person, beginning with the initial roll call continuing through every record vote," Mr. Goolsby said in a letter he sent to all House members on Wednesday. "Members need to understand that the implementation of this change would end any voting other than by the individual member's own personal presence and physical action."
Installing the machines at all 150 desks, as well as a couple in each corner of the chamber and a few in the members' lounge, could cost roughly $400,000, but Mr. Goolsby said that the committee is still pricing the project.
He declined to comment further, saying he wanted to get more input from House members.
House members have been criticized for voting from each others' desks, which they've defended as a courtesy and matter of trust among members.
They also say that it allows them to not miss votes while they're outside the chamber meeting with lobbyists or constituent groups, who routinely call them off the House floor during session.
But the practice has also led to convenient excuses for changing votes on controversial issues, opening the House with less than a quorum, and embarrassing situations over the years – including an incident in which a House member was shown voting after he'd died.
House Speaker Tom Craddick wants the issue addressed, spokeswoman Alexis DeLee said, though he isn't endorsing a specific approach.
"We recognize it's a concern, and we're asking members to look for solutions," she said.
Open government advocates called it "a great idea."
"Every session there's some embarrassing story about legislators getting caught voting for their colleagues on the floor," said Tom "Smitty" Smith of Public Citizen. "And the citizens are often puzzled by the phenomenon of legislators reaching all over the desks and punching other peoples' voting machines."
Currently, members can simply lock their desk voting machines when they leave the desk, but it's voluntary.
Unlike Congress, where members are given 15 minutes' notice before each vote so they can return to the floor in time to record their votes, a vote on the House floor can come up at any time.
Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, who last session was shown voting in favor of a bill that he had railed against on the floor, said he would consider supporting Mr. Goolsby's proposal only if there were machines in other places, like the chamber corners and the members' lounge, in addition to the desks, to allow them to conduct business away from their desks.
"It has some merit," he said, "but it starts the conversation instead of finishing it."
Instances of 'ghost voting' in the Texas House •In 1991, Houston Rep. Larry Evans died unexpectedly early one morning but was shown voting at least three times on measures throughout the day.
•In July 2005, someone voted as Reps. Trey Martinez Fischer and Craig Eiland, both Democrats, during a crucial vote on a tax-swap bill. Turns out Mr. Eiland was in Boston and Mr. Martinez Fischer was in Spain.
•In 2007, Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, was recorded as voting in favor of a bill exempting the names of concealed-handgun licensees from open-records laws after he had railed against it on the House floor. Mr. Coleman was in his office during the vote.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/040308dntexghostvoting.33655b3.html
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