GOP: No State benefits for illegals
GOP: No benefits for illegals
Proposed state legislation would keep illegal immigrants from receiving benefits.
10/18/05
From staff, AP reports
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To state Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, proposed legislation to end state benefits for illegal immigrants seems the best way to protect the Georgians who pay for those benefits through taxes.
But to Roman Irma Garcia Rose, who immigrated legally from Puerto Rico, such legislation would hurt taxpayers and non-taxpayers alike.
“If people do not get the services necessary, then we are talking about affecting us,” Garcia Rose said, citing public health problems such as the spread of tuberculosis as a prime concern for the community at large.
She also is concerned about small children not being eligible for benefits because their parents may be working — but using illegal papers. “People are working, and people are paying taxes,” she said. “But oftentimes they’re using other papers, and employers sort of look on the other side.”
Loudermilk, however, doesn’t have much sympathy — even for the taxpaying segment of the population. “That further diminishes the efforts of those who have come in the proper way,” he said. “We’re all a product of immigrants. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to enter this country.”
Spending scarce state money for illegal immigrants means needy citizens don’t get the services they need, agrees Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, primary sponsor of the legislation. “We can’t help those 12,000 (disabled Georgians) on that waiting list if we’re going to give $1 billion to people who are here illegally,” Rogers said.
Although Loudermilk did not attend a rally fellow Republicans held at the state Capitol on Monday to press their cause, he said, he fully supports their efforts. “Since the federal government is slow to work on this ... and it’s really affecting our state’s budget,” Loudermilk said, “we’re taking a look at it.”
Legislation blocking taxpayer-funded benefits to those who are not citizens is pending in the state Senate and has been designated a top priority of Senate Republican leaders for the 2006 session, which begins in January.
Loudermilk said Republicans in the House of Representatives will sponsor similar legislation in the upcoming session. Local Democrats said Monday they, too, are eager to address the issue.
“We’ve got a real problem,” said state Rep. Paul Smith, D-Rome. “I’m not going to be one to say a sick kid can’t go to the hospital, but we do need to tighten up our laws and enforce the laws that already do exist.”
Rep. Bill Cummings, D-Rockmart, said he has not “formulated a full opinion yet” and is “interested in hearing the full debate on the issue.”
Some Democrats across the state, however, have been criticized for opposing the legislation. “We’re tired of the left trying to frame this ... as something that is anti-immigrant,” said Cobb County Republican Chairman Anthony Scott Hobbs. “It’s not anti-immigrant, it’s anti-illegal immigrant.”
Curiously, another target at Monday’s rally was Gov. Sonny Perdue, who led the Republican rise to power in the Georgia statehouse three years ago and who faces re-election next year.
“What side is the governor on? Nobody knows,” read one sign. Another read: “Sonny, pick a side. We have.”
Perdue was out of the country on economic missions to Japan and China.
A spokeswoman, Heather Hedrick, said she believes illegal immigration is largely a federal issue but intends to work with lawmakers “to limit the drain on taxpayer-funded programs by illegal immigrants who do not contribute to the system.”
Emory University political scientist Merle Black said it appeared from Monday’s developments part of the Republican base is trying to “goad” Perdue into taking a stronger position on immigration, reflecting a national division within the party.
But Rogers hinted any such divisions likely will be resolved before the Legislature adjourns. Asked if he would run for governor against Perdue, Rogers said, “He’s done a great job as governor of Georgia. I totally, 100 percent support him for re-election.”
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Proposed state legislation would keep illegal immigrants from receiving benefits.
10/18/05
From staff, AP reports
Email this story to a friend
To state Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, proposed legislation to end state benefits for illegal immigrants seems the best way to protect the Georgians who pay for those benefits through taxes.
But to Roman Irma Garcia Rose, who immigrated legally from Puerto Rico, such legislation would hurt taxpayers and non-taxpayers alike.
“If people do not get the services necessary, then we are talking about affecting us,” Garcia Rose said, citing public health problems such as the spread of tuberculosis as a prime concern for the community at large.
She also is concerned about small children not being eligible for benefits because their parents may be working — but using illegal papers. “People are working, and people are paying taxes,” she said. “But oftentimes they’re using other papers, and employers sort of look on the other side.”
Loudermilk, however, doesn’t have much sympathy — even for the taxpaying segment of the population. “That further diminishes the efforts of those who have come in the proper way,” he said. “We’re all a product of immigrants. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to enter this country.”
Spending scarce state money for illegal immigrants means needy citizens don’t get the services they need, agrees Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, primary sponsor of the legislation. “We can’t help those 12,000 (disabled Georgians) on that waiting list if we’re going to give $1 billion to people who are here illegally,” Rogers said.
Although Loudermilk did not attend a rally fellow Republicans held at the state Capitol on Monday to press their cause, he said, he fully supports their efforts. “Since the federal government is slow to work on this ... and it’s really affecting our state’s budget,” Loudermilk said, “we’re taking a look at it.”
Legislation blocking taxpayer-funded benefits to those who are not citizens is pending in the state Senate and has been designated a top priority of Senate Republican leaders for the 2006 session, which begins in January.
Loudermilk said Republicans in the House of Representatives will sponsor similar legislation in the upcoming session. Local Democrats said Monday they, too, are eager to address the issue.
“We’ve got a real problem,” said state Rep. Paul Smith, D-Rome. “I’m not going to be one to say a sick kid can’t go to the hospital, but we do need to tighten up our laws and enforce the laws that already do exist.”
Rep. Bill Cummings, D-Rockmart, said he has not “formulated a full opinion yet” and is “interested in hearing the full debate on the issue.”
Some Democrats across the state, however, have been criticized for opposing the legislation. “We’re tired of the left trying to frame this ... as something that is anti-immigrant,” said Cobb County Republican Chairman Anthony Scott Hobbs. “It’s not anti-immigrant, it’s anti-illegal immigrant.”
Curiously, another target at Monday’s rally was Gov. Sonny Perdue, who led the Republican rise to power in the Georgia statehouse three years ago and who faces re-election next year.
“What side is the governor on? Nobody knows,” read one sign. Another read: “Sonny, pick a side. We have.”
Perdue was out of the country on economic missions to Japan and China.
A spokeswoman, Heather Hedrick, said she believes illegal immigration is largely a federal issue but intends to work with lawmakers “to limit the drain on taxpayer-funded programs by illegal immigrants who do not contribute to the system.”
Emory University political scientist Merle Black said it appeared from Monday’s developments part of the Republican base is trying to “goad” Perdue into taking a stronger position on immigration, reflecting a national division within the party.
But Rogers hinted any such divisions likely will be resolved before the Legislature adjourns. Asked if he would run for governor against Perdue, Rogers said, “He’s done a great job as governor of Georgia. I totally, 100 percent support him for re-election.”
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