From Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas email
2/22/2009 8:00:27 P.M. Pacific Standard Time

IRCOT ACTION ALERT

Committee & Bill Assignments
81st Legislative Session
www.ircot.com

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO ACT NOW!!

As we previously reported, the buzz inside the Capitol was that Speaker Straus (R-San Antonio) cut a deal with the Democrats for the coveted Speaker position. In return he would provide favorable committee assignments that could effectively kill any measures designed to deal with illegal immigration. It appears those rumors were well founded.

You may view the House committee assignment lists HERE -- you be the judge!!
http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees ... mittee.pdf

MANY vital bills have been introduced by our most supportive legislators but we are currently focusing on 5-6 of the MOST important to date. This list may change as other bills are introduced or as the process progresses.

VISIT THE IRCOT SITE
VIEW A LIST OF TEXAS IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION
THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO DATE
http://www.ircot.com/pending_legislation.htm

SEVERAL OF "OUR" BILLS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE NEWLY FORMED COMMITTEES. Unfortunately, a large majority have been assigned to State Affairs, so please take the time to let the State Affairs committee chairs know that it isn't acceptable for them to "die" there (as most did last session).

Then.....please call, fax, or e-mail the following committee Chairs & Vice Chairs and tell them (in a firm but polite tone):

"Several important immigration reform bills have been assigned to your committee this session. Please schedule them for a committee hearing early this session. It is important to CITIZENS of the U.S. residing in Texas that the Texas Legislature pass bills that will end the magnets that draw illegal aliens to our State (jobs, benefits, sanctuary, instate tuition, etc.)."

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE LIST OF MEMBERS FOR THE COMMITTEES LISTED BELOW AND THE COUNTIES THEY REPRESENT.
(House and Senate Committee Assignment Lists at top of page:
http://www.ircot.com/pending_legislation.htm )


HOUSE BILL ASSIGNMENTS (*Indicates bill of major importance)

HOUSE - CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE:
Rep. Pete Gallego, Chair (D)
Phone (512) 463-0566; Fax (512) 236-9408
Pete.Gallego@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Wayne Christian, Vice-Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0556; Fax 877-839-2709
Wayne.Christian@house.state.tx.us

HB 49 - RIDDLE, DEBBIE (R) - creation of "criminal trespass" offense by illegal aliens


HOUSE - ELECTIONS:
Smith, Todd, Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0522; Fax (512) 463-9529
Todd.Smith@house.state.tx.us

Pena, Aaron Vice-Chair (D)
Phone (512) 463-0426; Fax (512) 463-0043
Aaron.Pena@house.state.tx.us

*HB 125 - Brown, Betty (R) - Voter ID Bill


HOUSE - LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES:
Rep. Edmund Kuempel, Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0602; Fax (512) 480-0391
Edmund.Kuempel@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D)
Phone (512) 463-0720; Fax (512) 463-6306
Senfronia.Thompson@house.state.tx.us

HB 128 - SOLOMONS, BURT (R) - requiring applicants for certain licences be eligible to work in U.S.


HOUSE - STATE AFFAIRS:
Rep. Burt Solomons, Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0478; Fax (512) 463-2089
Burt.Solomons@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Jose Mendez, Vice-Chair (D)
Phone (512) 463-0634; Fax (512) 463-7668
Jose.Mendez@house.state.tx.us

*HB 256 - BERMAN, LEO (R) - relating to children born to illegal aliens in TX & their birth records
*HB 266 - BERMAN, LEO (R) - regulating the provision of benefits & services to, and verification of employment status of, immigrants and to enforcing laws relating to immigrants; providing civil & criminal penalties
*HB 276 - ZERWAS, JOHN (R) - requiring that state agencies report the cost of services and benefits provided to unlawful immigrants
*HB 404 - HARLESS, PATRICIA (R) - relating to the enforcement of state & federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities (i.e., "sanctuary city" policies)
(Companion SB 358 - PATRICK, DAN)
*HB 622 - HARLESS, PATRICIA (R) - relating to the suspension of certain licenses held by employers for the knowing employment of persons not lawfully present in the U.S.
(Companion SB 357 - PATRICK, DAN)
*HB 648 - JACKSON, JIM (R) - relating to requiring governmental entities to participate in the federal E-Verify work authorization program


SENATE BILL ASSIGNMENTS
SENATE - CRIMINAL JUSTICE:
Sen. John Whitmire, Chair (D)
Phone (512) 463-0115; Fax- 475-3737
John.Whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Kel Seliger, Vice-Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0131; Fax (512) 475-3733
Kel.Seliger@senate.state.tx.us

SB 89 - VAN DE PUTTE, LETICIA (D) - relating to punishment & prevention of offences involving trafficking of persons or certain forced or sex-based labor


SENATE - STATE AFFAIRS:
Sen. Robert Duncan, Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0128; Fax (512) 463-2424
Robert.Duncan@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Bob Deuell, Vice-Chair (D)
Phone (512) 463-0102; Fax (512) 463-7202
Bob.Deuell@senate.state.tx.us

SB 268 - HARRIS, CHRIS (R) - relating to the cancellation of voter registrations of person who are not U.S. citizens


SENATE - TRANSPORTATION & HOMELAND SECURITY:
Carona, John, Chair (R)
Phone (512) 463-0116; Fax (512) 463-3135
John.Carona@senate.state.tx.us

Watson, Kirk, Vice-Chair (D)
Phone (512) 463-0114; Fax 463-5949
Kirk.Watson@senate.state.tx.us

SB 357 - PATRICK, DAN (R) - relating to the suspension of certain licenses held by employers for the knowing employment of persons not lawfully present in the U.S.
SB 358 - PATRICK, DAN (R) - relating to the enforcement of state & federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities (i.e., "sanctuary city" policies)
SB 367 - CARONA, JOHN (R) - relating to the prosecution/punishment for certain criminal offenses involving the use of a false or fictitious identity or identifying documents
SB 379 - CARONA, JOHN (R) - relating to an annual report by the Border Security Council regarding criminal street gangs & gang-related crime

Click on the link to the right and sign up for our Alerts

To schedule a "Capitol Visit with IRCOT" e-mail: coordinator@ircot.com

PLEASE -- ACT NOW!

SIGN UP FOR IRCOT
E-MAIL ALERTS

PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK THIS SESSION!

Visit: www.ircot.com

IRCOT CO-FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS:
(Names listed in alphabetical order)

Central Texans for Secure Borders (CTSB) - Austin & Surrounding Areas
Citizens for Immigration Reform (CFIR) - Dallas/Ft. Worth
Texans for Immigration Reform (TFIR) - Houston

OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS AT:
Peter Morrison Report

IRCOT PARTNERS:
Texas Border Volunteers
Texas Minutemen
US Border Watch
Women on the Wall (US-TX)

THESE ORGANIZATIONS SHARE OUR VIEWS & GOALS ON IMMIGRATION REFORM:
ALIPAC
AMERICAN PATROL
FAIR
IRLI
JUDICIAL WATCH
NUMBERS USA

EAGLE FORUM
TEXAS EAGLE FORUM

IRCOT CAPITOL NEWS:

Since session started, several groups and individuals have joined with IRCOT to make Capitol Visits focusing on immigration reform legislation.

On 2/11/08 approximately 38 members from our co-founding group CFIR (Dallas/Ft. Worth) made the journey to spend the day walking the halls and delivering our message.

IRCOT wishes to thank all those who have taken time from their busy schedules and families to share their concerns with elected officials in Texas. We need to continue to demand that they "do the right thing" for U.S. CITIZENS and remind them of their oath to uphold the constitution and laws of both the U.S. and Texas.

One of the many ways to achieve success this session is to make a commitment to participate in a "Capitol Visit" or to attend one of the many committee hearings or votes on important legislation. IRCOT was founded to provide a means for you and/or your group to visit Texas legislators and speak with one voice. Most importantly, we need you to encourage the passage of several of our "must have" bills like Voter ID & HB 266 (based on OK 1804).

Though at times it seems we have huge obstacles to overcome, we are reminded of the success we have experienced fighting comprehensive immigration reform in the past. We ABSOLUTELY can experience success this session with the continued active involvement and financial support of dedicated patriots all across the GREAT State of Texas.

Thanks to all of you for being engaged in this battle with us!

STAY TUNED FOR SESSION UPDATES AND ACTION ALERTS


CLICK HERE
& CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS
http://www.ircot.com/urgent_action.htm

Let them know that you expect them to pass legislation THIS SESSION which will protect Texas CITIZEN taxpayers from the increasing burden of providing services & benefits to illegal aliens FLOODING into Texas!


FINALLY.....
Contact the Speaker of the House AND the Lt. Governor (President of the Senate).

Let them know that you expect them to do EVERYTHING possible to get MANY of the strong immigration bills which have been introduced passed this session.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Phone: (512) 463-0001
Fax: (512) 463-0677
E-mail:
http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php

Speaker of House Joe Straus
Phone: (512) 463-1064
Fax (512) 463-1064
E-mail: Joe.Straus@house.state.tx.us
OR click Here
to fax via the Peter Morrison Report
http://www.morrisonreport.com/fax_test/ ... p?faxID=21

SIGN UP FOR IRCOT
E-MAIL ALERTS


PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK THIS SESSION!

© 2008 Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT)

This email was sent by Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT), 10601 FM2222 Suite R-106, Austin, Texas 78730, using Express Email Marketing.