Rep. Randy Graf, R-Green Valley
Posted on 02/10/2003 6:31:38 AM PST by madfly
Bills targeting ID cards draw cries of racism
The House Committee on Federal Mandates and Property Rights approved HB 2316, which precludes any government agency from accepting any form of identification other than one issued by a state or federal agencies that is independently verifiable. Rep. Randy Graf, R-Green Valley, is pushing that measure to block the decision by some cities to recognize ID cards issued by the Mexican consul for everything from filing police reports and getting city vending licenses to signing up for water and obtaining library cards. Separately, by a 9-3 margin the House Judiciary Committee voted to mandate that people who show up at the polls must show either a picture identification with an address or two other forms of identification to cast a ballot. Rep. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, said HB 2345 is necessary to prevent voter fraud. Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, said new requirements for people who may not have a state-issued driver's license could have a "chilling effect" on minority voter turnout. And Gray conceded she had no evidence that people are turning out to vote who are not eligible. Prescott resident Bob Park, a perennial supporter of moves to curb illegal immigration, said there is nothing wrong with requiring that those who want services from government provide a form of identification that can be verified. "What we find across the country is a terrible, massive, pervasive industry out there to provide fraudulent documents," Park said. He is founder of the "Article IV Section 4 Foundation," named after the section of the federal constitution that requires the federal government to protect states against invasion. Park, who likens illegal immigration to an invasion, is best known for pushing a successful state constitutional amendment requiring government agencies and employees to act only in English; that measure later was voided by the Arizona Supreme Court. "So whatever it is you need to get some sort of a benefit somebody out there will get it for you for a price," he said. That includes fake Mexican birth certificates that then lead to the Mexican consular ID cards. Graf said that people who are not U.S. citizens should not be getting governmental services paid for by taxpayers. But Steve Brittle, a Phoenix community activist, said he sees something more sinister. "The underlying thing here is racism," he said, noting that Graf also is sponsoring legislation to specifically permit the governor to mobilize the National Guard "to control the Southern border of this state." That's not the case, Graf said. But he did acknowledge that the measure is aimed at Mexican nationals who are not here legally. "If the cards are accepted we are doing nothing to discourage illegal immigration," he said. "We pay taxes to support the library," Graf continued. "If the only identification you can produce is a consular ID card we can pretty much conclude you're here illegally." Despite Thursday's 6-3 vote the future of this measure remains in doubt -- at least in its current form. Rep. Marian McClure, R-Tucson, who chairs that panel, allowed the bill to be heard and was one of its backers. But McClure said she is concerned that the wording is overly broad, perhaps unnecessarily denying rights to people for even basic utility services.
PHOENIX -- Amid claims of racism, state lawmakers moved on two fronts Thursday to determine what identification Arizonans must produce to get government services or exercise their right to vote.
Of course you must realize that wgeorge is one of Graf's biggest opponents and Bush has probably warned him not to darken the White House door, too.
Maybe they'll let you change your screen name to Graf2003.
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