Senator Fine-Tuning immigration Measure (in UT)

Deseret Morning News ^ | Feb 20, 2008 | Deborah Bulkeley

[Tennessee Nana]

Hickman tried to ease concerns about SB81

A St. George lawmaker has put on hold a debate on an omnibus piece of immigration legislation as he continues to work to make it palatable to religious and business organizations. Describing the planned changes to SB81 as "word-smithing here and there," Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, said he wants to make the bill "a really fine piece of legislation."

The Senate vote has been rescheduled for Thursday morning. The bill would create barriers against undocumented immigrants obtaining jobs or public benefits.

Lane Beattie, president and chief executive officer of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, said he's involved in an ongoing discussion with Hickman about potential support for SB81 but said "there would have to be changes."

The chamber is part of a coalition of business, nonprofit and religious groups that has endorsed another measure, SB97, which would create a task force to study the immigration issue.

"We believe a study is very, very positive," Beattie said. Still, he added, the chamber's support for SB81 is a possibility.

That possibility started, Beattie said, when Hickman amended the bill to remove "critical" provisions that would have repealed a law allowing undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition and that would have required high rates of income-tax withholding for some employers.

Hickman pointed to tweaking a provision on who can be issued identification as an example of the changes he has in mind.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said Hickman has done a good job balancing compassion with the rule of law as he's crafted his legislation by "hitting at the core but rounding off the edges."

Valentine said that the bill likely has enough support to pass the Senate, but not a veto-proof majority.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "has expressed reservations about some legislation regarding immigration in their current form," and while meeting with Democratic lawmakers Tuesday said he'd contemplate vetoes, said Lisa Roskelley, the governor's spokeswoman. Specific details weren't discussed, she said, and the governor had indicated he hoped work would be done to make those bills useful legislation.

Hickman said he hoped the governor would "consider the fact that citizens of this state overwhelmingly want something done."

Hickman also said he's been working to satisfy the concerns of religious leaders, including those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To that end, Hickman said he plans to modify a provision creating a class A misdemeanor for harboring or transporting undocumented immigrants to ensure it doesn't prevent churches from performing their normal duties.

"It's always been my intent to mean harboring or transporting for commerical purposes ... not going to church or the grocery store," Hickman said.

The LDS Church hasn't met with Hickman and it hasn't taken a position on any specific immigration legislation, said church spokesman Robert Howell.

However, Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy has urged lawmakers to take a "more thoughtful, factual, not to mention humane, approach" to immigration legislation. And Elder Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve has, as a member of the Alliance for Unity, opposed the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented college students. That provision has been removed from Hickman's bill but passed the House as a stand-alone measure, HB241, which now awaits a Senate hearing.

In a statement Tuesday, the church said that Ballard represents the LDS Church as a member of the Alliance for Unity.

"The alliance is a group of respected Utah civic, business and religious leaders," the statement said. "Under the alliance policies, its views are not binding on the institutions its members represent. The church has taken no position on HB241."

However, at least some supporters of the proposed task force say Hickman will be hard pressed to garner their support.

Pastor Steven Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church said he doubts Hickman's changes will garner his support, saying "the bill in itself is promoting a climate of fear."

Judi Hilman, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project, expressed concerns that SB81 could have unintended consequences when it comes to health care, such as preventing eligible U.S. citizens from obtaining public benefits.

"We should be sitting down and looking at longer-term solutions to these issues," Hilman said.

Thursday's debate will come after senators have time to consider comments made by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, both R-Utah, who on Tuesday told lawmakers that comprehensive reform isn't likely any time soon.

"I doubt we'll be able to do much in this election year," Hatch said. And Bennett said it could be five years before the Congress again takes up the issue.

"That is absolutely frightening to me,"Hickman said. "The federal government is so neutered on this issue. ... That's the reason the states have picked this up, because we're frustrated over the inaction of our federal government."

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com

[Tennessee Nana]

Hickman also said he's been working to satisfy the concerns of religious leaders, including those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To that end, Hickman said he plans to modify a provision creating a class A misdemeanor for harboring or transporting undocumented immigrants to ensure it doesn't prevent churches from performing their normal duties. ________________________________________________

Sanctuary cities and churches in Utah

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[kittymyrib]

Every one of these lobbying church and immigrant groups should lose their tax-exempt status. If they are political, they do not qualify as tax exempt. Where is the IRS?

[EagleUSA]

Every one of these lobbying church and immigrant groups should lose their tax-exempt status. If they are political, they do not qualify as tax exempt. Where is the IRS?
:::::::
Good point, but remember who the enemy is relative to illegal immigration!!! Any questions ???

[greyfoxx39]

Alliance for Unity Speaks Out on In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

STATEMENT ON IN-STATE TUITION FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS

The Alliance for Unity today restated its strong and unanimous opposition to this year's version of a vill currently before the Utah legislature, concerning tuition for undocumented students. The bill (HB 241) would repeal current laws permitting some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at an institution of higher education in the State.

The Alliance continues to believe firmly that we need to encourage the dreams and ambitions of all Utahns by giving them an opportunity to realize their potential. In our view, making a college education unaffordable to students simply discourages them and will result in their making less than the best use of their intelligence and talents.

The Alliance presently takes no position on the broad issue of immigration reform in the United States. We believe that a thorough in-depth examination of the complex factual and emotional matters involved is needed before legislative action is taken. A calm and careful look at what will best benefit the State must characterize any actions taken in Utah.

The Alliance for Unity is a group of civic, business and religious leaders that seeks to further the common good in the State

Link

[Scourge of God]

The Alliance continues to believe firmly that we need to encourage the dreams and ambitions of all Utahns by giving them an opportunity to realize their potential. In our view, making a college education unaffordable to students simply discourages them and will result in their making less than the best use of their intelligence and talents.

And so what if they're taking slots at the university that would go to legal residents? We must, above all other concerns, show that WE CARE!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The Alliance continues to believe firmly that we need to encourage the dreams and ambitions of all Utahns by giving them an opportunity to realize their potential.

THEY'RE NOT UTAHNS!

[greyfoxx39]

And so what if they're taking slots at the university that would go to legal residents? We must, above all other concerns, show that WE CARE!

Looks like even Utah isn't immune to liberalism, doesn't it? At least in SOME cases.

[HonestConservative]

How is Utah different then any other state in this regard?

(that is, having sanctuary cities)

[org.whodat]

The chamber is part of a coalition of business, nonprofit and religious groups that has endorsed another measure, SB97, which would create a task force to study the immigration issue.

The slavers at the chamber of commerce are the principle pushers of amnesty, that is why you have all the high paid lobbyists working robot McCain.

[Grunthor]

“{How is Utah different then any other state in this regard?

(that is, having sanctuary cities)”

It’s also chock full of Mormons, and Tennessee Nana has shown a touch of bigotry in regards to them folk.

[Tennessee Nana]

The US Chamber of Commerce is backing the illegal aliens in their current fight against 1804 in OK

The local businesses around the country pay fees to belong to their local C of C and those fees go to DC and are being used to aid the illegal aliens...