onearmedman
03-30-2006, 01:31 PM
Senator withdraws state immigration bill
By John Greiner
The Oklahoman
The Senate author of a state House immigration bill that sparked a firestorm of protest killed it Monday, saying it's "exceedingly harsh."
"While I understand that illegal immigration is indeed an issue in Oklahoma and there may be things we can address on the state level, House Bill 3119 goes way too far," said Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, the Senate author. "This measure is exceedingly harsh, and its broad scope provides for punishment for the wrong people."
"I'm disappointed, but not surprised," said the House author, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore.
He said he also was perplexed because he met with Rabon on Thursday, and Rabon didn't express any concern about the bill.
Called the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, the measure would have required proof of citizenship when gaining identification cards at school, registering to vote or seeking public assistance. Anyone who couldn't do this would be turned over to federal immigration authorities.
House Bill 3119 also would have repealed a 2003 state law to allow illegal immigrants who grow up in Oklahoma to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.
The measure passed the House, 63-24, earlier this month, but it later drew criticism from some clerics and members of the Hispanic community.
A rally against the bill is planned for noon Saturday at the state Capitol, and plans are to go forward with the rally despite Monday's action, said Juanita Vasquez-Sykes, president of the Oklahoma City chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
No hearing planned
In a letter to Sen. Bernest Cain, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee, Rabon said he will not ask for a hearing on the bill before the committee.
Rabon said the measure attempts to turn state employees into border patrol agents and provides for punishment for state workers who provide compassionate aid to some of the "most vulnerable" people in the state.
Terrill also blamed Cain, D-Oklahoma City, for the death of this bill, saying Cain indicated to some people he wouldn't hear it.
Cain denied that, saying he never talked to Rabon about the measure.
Terrill said if this bill had passed the Senate, it would have gone to a House-Senate conference committee for more work.
Although Rabon is killing the bill, he said he had deep concerns that taxpayers are picking up the tab for services for those who are not obeying the law.
Terrill said Rabon's concerns "ring hollow."
Vasquez-Sykes said the language of Terrill's bill still could be inserted in another bill, so she will not quit fighting it.
"I wouldn't let up on that bill if Randy Terrill himself would tell me he's going to pull it," Vasquez-Sykes said.
Capitol Address
District Address
Senator Jeff Rabon
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 426
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-5614
rabon@oksenate.gov 1212 E. Jefferson
Hugo, OK 74743
By John Greiner
The Oklahoman
The Senate author of a state House immigration bill that sparked a firestorm of protest killed it Monday, saying it's "exceedingly harsh."
"While I understand that illegal immigration is indeed an issue in Oklahoma and there may be things we can address on the state level, House Bill 3119 goes way too far," said Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, the Senate author. "This measure is exceedingly harsh, and its broad scope provides for punishment for the wrong people."
"I'm disappointed, but not surprised," said the House author, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore.
He said he also was perplexed because he met with Rabon on Thursday, and Rabon didn't express any concern about the bill.
Called the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, the measure would have required proof of citizenship when gaining identification cards at school, registering to vote or seeking public assistance. Anyone who couldn't do this would be turned over to federal immigration authorities.
House Bill 3119 also would have repealed a 2003 state law to allow illegal immigrants who grow up in Oklahoma to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.
The measure passed the House, 63-24, earlier this month, but it later drew criticism from some clerics and members of the Hispanic community.
A rally against the bill is planned for noon Saturday at the state Capitol, and plans are to go forward with the rally despite Monday's action, said Juanita Vasquez-Sykes, president of the Oklahoma City chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
No hearing planned
In a letter to Sen. Bernest Cain, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee, Rabon said he will not ask for a hearing on the bill before the committee.
Rabon said the measure attempts to turn state employees into border patrol agents and provides for punishment for state workers who provide compassionate aid to some of the "most vulnerable" people in the state.
Terrill also blamed Cain, D-Oklahoma City, for the death of this bill, saying Cain indicated to some people he wouldn't hear it.
Cain denied that, saying he never talked to Rabon about the measure.
Terrill said if this bill had passed the Senate, it would have gone to a House-Senate conference committee for more work.
Although Rabon is killing the bill, he said he had deep concerns that taxpayers are picking up the tab for services for those who are not obeying the law.
Terrill said Rabon's concerns "ring hollow."
Vasquez-Sykes said the language of Terrill's bill still could be inserted in another bill, so she will not quit fighting it.
"I wouldn't let up on that bill if Randy Terrill himself would tell me he's going to pull it," Vasquez-Sykes said.
Capitol Address
District Address
Senator Jeff Rabon
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 426
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-5614
rabon@oksenate.gov 1212 E. Jefferson
Hugo, OK 74743
