Sheriff wants immigration reform on ballot
Jones' letter accuses state leaders of inaction.
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By Josh Sweigart

Staff Writer

Thursday, November 15, 2007

HAMILTON — Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said senior state leaders are doing little to address immigration issues, and he wants a ballot initiative to force lawmakers to act.

In an open letter to Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris, Jones chided the lawmakers. He referenced a recent study that found citizens overwhelmingly favor immigration reform.

"It appears that you, in the leadership position, have no desire to see that this happens," Jones' letter states.

Jones, who has long advocated stricter immigration laws, said he contacted the Federation for American Immigration Reform to see if the Washington D.C.-based non-profit would push for a ballot issue.

But if he wants an initiative, he may have to do it himself, according to FAIR.

"That doesn't sound like something we ordinarily do," said FAIR project director Jack Martin.

Jones' letter urged the General Assembly leaders to join state Rep. Courtney Combs and state Sen. Gary Cates in passing immigration reform measures.

Husted Spokeswoman Karen Tabor said the speaker hadn't seen the letter, but that "we've addressed this (immigration reform) in the past, and we'll continue to."

She said the House recently cut access to Medicaid for illegal immigrants, for example. But Combs said Husted has already pigeon-holed his House Bill 308, which would bar illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses, in-state college tuition and social services.

Combs said he doesn't favor a ballot issue, but would, "if leadership and the state of Ohio will not go forward with a bill that 80 percent of the people are in favor of."

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