Posted on 06/25/2011 2:59:12 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
AUSTIN — A bill to ban “sanctuary cities” lost crucial momentum Friday as two of Texas' most politically involved business leaders emerged as opponents, raising the possibility the measure will be killed or substantially weakened before the special session of the Legislature ends Wednesday.
HillCo Partners' lobby team, led by Neal T. “Buddy” Jones, is working on behalf of Houston homebuilder Bob Perry and San Antonio grocery store magnate Charles Butt to alter a proposal that would permit law enforcement officers to inquire about the immigration status of people they detain, Jones' partner Bill Miller confirmed.
Miller declined to detail the changes Jones hopes to make in the legislation, saying only that they have “given language to members” to consider including in the proposal, which would carry financial penalties for cities that prohibit law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status.
The opposition of the business leaders demonstrates a schism in the Republican Party on the issue, designated a priority by Gov. Rick Perry.
Bob Perry, no relation to the governor, is a prolific Republican contributor who has given $2.5 million to the governor's campaign coffers since 2001.
H-E-B CEO Butt has made substantial contributions to members of both parties.
[snip]
Perry got a cool reception at his speech before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in San Antonio Thursday, where protesters picketed his speech because of the sanctuary city legislation. The governor did not mention the issue during his talk.
“I thought it was hypocrisy at its best,” [Rep. Carol] Alvarado [D-Houston] said. “I didn't recognize who he was because he was talking about the Latino community with such admiration and respect that it didn't seem like the same person that tried to implement sanctuary cities.”
[Rick] Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said the governor remained hopeful the Legislature will pass the bill before the special session ends Wednesday.
“This is an issue of security,” she said. “We need to make sure that law enforcement has the discretion to ask about legal status during any encounter.”
Leftists really do not see the distinction between foreigners and American citizens at all.
“Leftists really do not see the distinction between foreigners and American citizens at all.
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Makes me sick to see the fat cat business people put profit
over their country.
Wait till some drunk illegal rapes or runs over one of their kids or wife.
I wouldnt be suprised if they support Perry. Its good way for Perry to get out of it, again, without looking like the bad guy. I dont trust Perry.
Sounds like Rob Perry and Charles Butt are using a lot of cheap illegal labor. It`s a good deal for THEM, so to hell with the rest of the country.
Bingo!!
HEB is a monopoly in San Antonio. They are the only game in town.
This is where the rubber meets the road. This is a test of cf character and leadership right here, right now. You can’t pander then ponder. The huge latino population in Texas makes Perry’s position as a nationaal candidate unique. If he is really going for the gold ring nationally, he has to decide now to cut loose from Texas only politics, because if he doesn’t, he loses.
He has left sanctuary cities alone for too long already. To suddenly decide that now is the time to do something that should have been done long ago looks particularly self-serving and insincere now that he is eyeing national repectability.
But if he does cut loose and doesn’t get the nomination, he has to go back to Texas and his stock will be worth nothing. This will be interesting to watch since his Texas moneymen are against it.
Sounds like a couple of companies need to have their workforce audited for fake/duplicate social security numbers.
Shortly after 9/11 the Mexican government gave as aire Butt the Aguila Azteca medal for givin' away money in Mexico.
I don't think he can be trusted ~ so why are Republicans kissin' Butt's butt other than for a piece of his $12 billion fortune?
Sounds like Rob Perry and Charles Butt are using a lot of cheap illegal labor. It`s a good deal for THEM, so to hell with the rest of the country.
Applies to a whole lot of money men (and women) nationwide. There is a point in every individual where love of money consumes integrity and principle.
Johnny Suntrade
Our grandchildren will visit the USA in books and video.
Charles Butt seems to be such a man. Texas' Republican party needs to kick him out.
Yes. Yes. We all know your "position" "allsouthern."
You are the poster who refuses to name a primary candidate you'd support and who has nothing nice to say about Rick Perry.
Rick Perry could swear on the lives of his children and you would call him a liar, a flim-flam a RINO.
You are wrong but you remain consistent.
“Charles Butt seems to be such a man. Texas’ Republican party needs to kick him out.”
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The Republican party is overrun with RINOs.
The Tea people need to flush the entire party down the drain and start over.
Butt doesn’t seem to have ever been a Democrat, but I wouldn’t give up on looking for the Nazi party connection. People who are willing to destroy their nation for a little cheap labor would drown puppy dogs as well.
"....and why 10th Amendment is so important to the people. If government continues to take our freedoms by delegating from D.C. [“this is how you’re going to get health care, educate your children, live your life”] -- then we have lost our republic and we have lost our freedom. This is worth fighting for, this is worth standing for…… This is where the rubber meets the road… Governor Rick Perry's Speech at Red State Conference in 2010 (Video and Notes)
And Rick Perry was one of the earliest governors to sign on with the Tea Party. I will add that there are many conservative TX legislators with "Hispanic" sir names with 8-9 generations of U.S. citizenship under their belts.
All well and good...as long as he is governor of Texas. I said it before. Texas is unique, and Perry is unique to Texas. If he is going to break out, how he handles THIS issue is going to tell the country a lot about his politics. He has to choose his path and it is squarely in front of him right now. His political future depends on his choice. He is either Texas or national. He can’t be both and this issue is proof of that.
I am not dissing Perry here. This is a very real test for him. It will be very interesting to see how he handles it.
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