Thread: AZ-In Senate: examining the true cost of 'sanctuary cities`

May 18, 2009
Breaking News
This week in the Senate: examining the true cost of 'sanctuary cities'

By Luige del Puerto, luige.delpuerto@azcapitoltimes.com


The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on "sanctuary cities" on May 21, a move that brings the issue of illegal immigration back to the forefront.

Illegal immigration and all non-budget issues have largely taken the backseat at the Capitol as lawmakers try to erase a record-breaking state budget deficit.

The committee will tackle the "monumental costs of illegal sanctuary policies to our state," according to a statement from the Senate.

The press release cited statistics that show illegal immigration is costing Arizonans nearly $3 billion a year.

Panelists include Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu.

The families of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants will join the discussion.

On May 19, the Commerce and Economic Development Committee will hear the executive nominations of Mark Brnovich to the Department of Gaming; Joseph James Ahearne, Jr. to the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers; David Parker to the Industrial Commission of Arizona; Tim Linden to the State Liquor Board; and Jeffrey R. Boehm to the Arizona State Lottery Commission.

On May 20, the Public Safety and Human Services Committee will consider S1049, which deals with fingerprint clearance cards, and will tackle the executive nomination of Neal Young to the Department of Economic Security.

Sen. Linda Gray, A Republican from Glendale who has sponsored S1049, said the bill is needed to comply with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, a federal law intended to crack down on sex offenders.

The federal law calls for conformity to various aspects of sex-offender registration. Failure by a state to comply with the federal requirements would result in a 10-percent reduction to Byrne law enforcement assistance grants, which states use to pay for drug task forces, anti-gang units, police overtime and other activities.

Gray said Arizona risks losing $130 million from the federal government if the state fails to reconcile state law with federal law by June 30.

S1049, which requires adoptive and foster parents to apply for a higher level of fingerprint clearance cards, is expected to pass with bipartisan support.

No other committees have posted meetings this week, according to the agenda posted on May 18.

http://www.azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?id=11201

I think they should let the American people see how much the illegals are costing them.