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Support for Levy worker bill

BY JAMES T. MADORE
Newsday Staff Writer

August 7, 2006

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's bill to require businesses, charities, governments and others with county contracts to certify each year that their employees are eligible to work in the United States would be approved overwhelmingly by the legislature if the vote were held today.

A survey of the 18 legislators found only two oppose the controversial resolution from Levy, a Democrat. And two others are undecided.

The measure, which could be voted on as early as September, is backed by seven out of eight Republicans, including Minority Leader Daniel Losquadro of Shoreham. Seven of the 10 Democrats and Working Families Party members also have signed on, including Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) and Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor).

Still, some supporters of the immigration bill expressed concern that it could lead to an increase in discrimination against Hispanics. Others worried that the bill would place an unfair burden on charities and religious institutions that help undocumented workers and could be pre-empted by federal authorities who have primary responsibility for stopping illegal immigration.

"My problem is not with the bill itself, and I will vote for it," said Legis. Elie Mystal (D-Amityville). "But what I am most afraid of is the message this conveys ... the perception that county contractors are exploiting immigrants and that immigrants won't be hired by county contractors" in the future.

Two years ago, Mystal joined forces with Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Setauket) and Ricardo Montano (D-Central Islip) in helping to defeat a resolution from the then-Republican majority in the legislature that called on the U.S. government to enforce existing immigration laws. Now, Viloria-Fisher and Montano are opposing Levy's bill.

"Mr. Levy says the federal government isn't doing its job. I don't know where he gets that information," Montano said, adding that Suffolk shouldn't be meddling in the issue.

Levy's resolution seeks to strengthen enforcement of a 20-year-old U.S. law that requires employers to verify that their workers are documented immigrants. He is proposing that the Suffolk labor department and county attorney do spot checks of contractors to ensure they are maintaining employee records and have sworn affidavits that their respective workforces are legal.

Levy, long a champion of tightening restrictions on undocumented workers, said he has received complaints from contractors and unions of unfair competition from businesses that hire the undocumented. The Long Island Association, the region's leading business group, and advocates for immigrants have criticized Levy's measure as unnecessary because illegal workers are mostly found at delis, landscaping companies and other small businesses without Suffolk contracts.

Legis. Jack Eddington (WFP-Medford) responded, "We must make sure that there is a level playing field for all contractors ... This legislation would prevent dishonest employers from gaining an edge by hiring undocumented workers and paying them less than the prevailing wage."

Legis. Lynne Nowick (R-St. James) agreed, saying, "There is a way the county can help, albeit in a small way. All this is doing is enforcing the law that's already on the books."

Two legislators have yet to take a stand on Levy's bill, which enters the formal consideration process tomorrow.

Legis. John M. Kennedy Jr. (R-Nesconset) and Kate M. Browning (WFP-Shirley) are researching legal issues. Browning said she has been talking to unions and others.

Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, which represents 3,000 people who either live or work on Long Island, opposes the resolution, calling it "misguided."

Secretary-treasurer Héctor Figueroa said it "would squander taxpayer dollars, keep immigrant workers in the shadows and burden Suffolk County officials with costly enforcement duties best left to the federal government."

How they'd vote

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is pushing a bill in the legislature to require county contractors to file sworn affidavits each year vouching for their employees' eligibility to work in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the legislative vote if it were held today:

FOR

Presid. Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook)**

Maj. Leader Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor)

Min. Leader Daniel P. Losquadro (R-Shoreham)**

Legis. Cameron Alden (R-Islip)

Legis. Thomas F. Barraga (R-West Islip)

Legis. Joseph T. Caracappa (R-Selden)**

Legis. Louis D'Amaro (D-North Babylon)

Legis. Jack Eddington (WFP-Medford)

Legis. Wayne R. Horsley (D-Babylon)

Legis. Elie Mystal (D-Amityville)*

Legis. Lynne Nowick (R-St. James)**

Legis. Edward P. Romaine (R-Center Moriches)

Legis. Jay Schneiderman (R-Montauk)

Legis. Steven H. Stern (D-Dix Hills)

AGAINST

Legis. Ricardo Montano (D-Central Islip)*

Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Setauket)*



UNDECIDED

Legis. Kate M. Browning (WFP-Shirley)

Legis. John M. Kennedy Jr. (R-Nesconset)



* opposed a GOP-backed memorializing resolution in 2004 calling on the U.S. government to enforce existing immigration laws.

** supported the 2004 resolution.



SOURCE: Newsday research