Editorials
112608 EDITORIALS 1 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
WITH ALL OF THE pressing problems facing our state lawmakers, it doesn't make sense to us for them to start tackling illegal immigration in the session starting in mid-January.
Focus on state not federal matters
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Story last updated at 11/26/2008 - 2:01 am

WITH ALL OF THE pressing problems facing our state lawmakers, it doesn't make sense to us for them to start tackling illegal immigration in the session starting in mid-January.

Wouldn't we be better served if they devoted time and energy focusing on priority issues, such as:

A dependable, long-lasting supply of water;

Appraisal creep;

Funding for higher education and public schools;

Tier One status for Texas Tech;

Solvency of the Texas Retirement System;

Health care for uninsured or under-insured children and families;

Revision or replacement of the TAKS test.

We understand Rep. Leo Berman's frustration with Congress' inaction to deal with the matter, but illegal immigration isn't a state issue, it's a federal issue. Nevertheless, the Tyler Republican once again has introduced a series of bills aimed at putting the brakes on illegal immigration in Texas.

Similar bills he filed in the previous session never saw the light of day because they were killed by Rep. David Swinford, R-Dumas, chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, the panel the bills were sent to for preliminary hearings.

"I am confident they will get through the House this time," said Mr. Berman, whose current bills include making English the official language in the state, denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants, requiring employers to verify whether an immigrant worker is in the country illegally, and several others.

Although a number of legislators and legal analysts doubt Mr. Berman's bills will go anywhere, all sides agree the proposed legislation is likely to trigger nasty legislative fights.

If that happens, Panhandle and South Plains legislators could be dragged into the political melees, just like last session, reported Enrique Rangel, A-J Austin Bureau chief.

If Mr. Berman's bills had been approved last session, they could have not survived court challenges and the state of Texas would have been stuck with millions of dollars in legal fees for defending them, said Mr. Swinford.

"My personal reading is that the Constitution has not changed," he said. "Immigration is part of the federal government, not of the state."

It seems to us our state lawmakers' time and taxpayer money would be better spent focusing on state issues within their purview rather than on federal matters beyond their power to control.
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