Thread: Bill calls for border wall paid for by tax on money transfer

http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/ ... st=b_ln_hl

Bill calls for Mexican border wall paid for by tax on foreign money transfers
Mike Sunnucks
The Business Journal
A new state proposal asks voters to approve construction of a security wall along the Mexican border and pay for it via a new tax on wire transfers from Arizona to foreign countries.

Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano said Wednesday she opposes the border wall idea, arguing it would not stop illegal immigration. The governor prefers more technology and manpower be shipped to the border. She also opposes federal measures to construct security barriers along the 2,000-mile U.S/Mexican border.

Mexican immigrants and nationals working in the U.S. sent $20 billion back to Mexico in 2005, according to the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas. The proposed ballot question would assess a new 8 percent tax on international money transfers from Arizona. Those funds would be used construct the wall and pay for other border security efforts.

The measure is under consideration by the state Legislature and has the support of Republicans in favor of tougher border security and immigration controls. GOP sponsors include State Reps. Russell Pearce and Rick Murphy and state Sens. Dean Martin, Ron Gould and Thayer Verschoor.

The ballot question asks voters to approve a Mexican border wall to be constructed by the state government. It piggybacks on federal plans to construct border walls and security fences along the 2,000-mile southern border.

Arizona Republican Congressman Trent Franks and Rick Renzi have voiced support for increased border walls and fences. Franks supports a measure building a wall along the entire border. Renzi supports Israeli-style security fences near border cities and well traveled crossing points.

Immigration is a key economic issue in Arizona and is poised to be a key one in this year's elections. Republicans have hit Napolitano for opposing a ballot measure approved in 2004 that denies state welfare benefits to illegal immigrants and for vetoing bills last year aimed at expanding that voter approved law.

The governor has taken a tougher path this year on immigration issues, supporting new state fines against employers who hire illegals and asking the Pentagon to pay for National Guard troops to be sent to the border.

Arizona is a top entry point for illegal immigrants entering the U.S. as well as Mexican drug cartels and smugglers.

I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm forwarding this to my Congressman, Charlie Norwood (R-Ga). I'd like to see something similar proposed in Congress.

Sounds like a good idea to me. Sure hope the people of AZ vote Napolitano out come election time.

That is the most intelligent thing I have heard all day...

I thought up the idea of taxing the remittances a long time ago, but does regulating international trade require the Congress to do" something".


By all means, pass that bill....but I suspect a commie ,federal judge someplace will strike it down.

Napalitano knows this, so she will get mileage for supporting the bill, but knowing she doesn't have to worry about it becoming "reailty".

However , opening up the Billions in remittances to Mexico ,to the grubby paws of politicians could be a good thing.

Hopefully Congress , and Napalitano will get addicted to taxing foreigners money.

pa

Your right Charles, she needs to go. She has tried to undermine everything that the people of Az. have wanted and voted for. Now she is up for reelection and all of a sudden she declares a "state of emergency". What a poser.

Well, wouldn't it just encourage the politicians to keep the illegals and not work to kick them out?