Thread: Commissioner:"Taxes may go up due 2 Hispanics"(TN)

http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story ... v=4QcHZW7i

Commissioner: "Taxes may go up due to Hispanics"
May 7, 2005

Morristown, Hamblen County (WVLT) - An article that appeared in an East Tennessee newspaper is sparking some controversy in Hamblen County.

In Wednesday's edition of the Citizen-Tribune, a Hamblen County commissioner is quoted as saying taxes may be going up due to Hispanics.

But that commissioner, Larry Baker, told Volunteer TV News, it's not the legal Hispanics, but the illegal immigrants that are cause for concern.

We wanted to know just how serious that problem is, so we sent Volunteer TV's Chloe Morroni to Morristown to find some answers.

Alex Rodriguez came here from Mexico nine years ago.

"It's for a better life," she says.

She owns two Mexican stores and a restaurant in Morristown. Alex says she's just like the other immigrants in the area-- productive people, contributing to society.

"They came to work if they have to clean the floors pick tobacco or whatever. They're not looking to go to an office and sit down there; they're not looking for that kind of job. I don’t know why Americans are afraid of Spanish," says Rodriguez.

Alex says she thinks Hispanics in Hamblen County are getting a bad rap from the county commission, but Commissioner Tom Lowe says it's not the legal immigrants like Alex, leaders have a problem with.

"I want them to know they are more than welcome," says Lowe.

Officials say many of the county’s thousands of Hispanics are illegal and Lowe says they're costing the county serious money. Commissioners say they may have to raise property taxes by a million dollars to cover increase costs in schools to hire bilingual teachers.

"That puts a strain financially, big time," says Lowe.

Plus, officials say a large number of teens going through the juvenile court system are Hispanic and most don't have proper documentation.

"Additional jail inmates, that costs a bunch of money,� Lowe adds.

Some folks in Hamblen County say they don't want to fork over more money to pay for illegal immigrants.

"I'm opposed to it yes," says James Loop, Morristown resident. "I don't think a raise property taxes on account of trying to teach them how to read English."

As for Alex Rodriguez, she says if taxes are raised and commissioners blame Hispanics, she's afraid it will make life even more difficult for those who are just trying to make things better.

By some estimates Hamblen County has the largest and fastest growing Hispanic population of any county in Tennessee.

Commissioners say they'll take up the tax issue in the coming weeks.

We'll keep you posted.

Just another example of illegal immigrants harming American citizens.

There's billions in this world that want "a better life." We can't accept them all - that's why we have to regulate who comes in. They are getting a better life at the expense of worsening the standard of living of Americans. Ship them all home.

I know a little about the TN issue having done business in much of the state.

It would be beneficial if this county had a MAMMOUTH TAX INCREASE and then perhaps the citizens will WAKE UP and begin to take action!!!
After all, they've allowed this to hit critical mass while turning a blind eye in the name of the $$$.

Guess the $$$ didn't quite benefit the average guy as they thought it would.

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

I know a little about the TN issue having done business in much of the state.

It would be beneficial if this county had a MAMMOUTH TAX INCREASE and then perhaps the citizens will WAKE UP and begin to take action!!!
After all, they've allowed this to hit critical mass while turning a blind eye in the name of the $$$.

Guess the $$$ didn't quite benefit the average guy as they thought it would.

Yep

INstead of paying 5,000 dollars for a coyote(to smuggle them), why not spend that money on an english class. That would ensure they would not be burdens to society. Did you guys read the story about the TEnnessee judge forcing a woman to learn english on a 4th grade level in 6 months in order to get her child back from social services. I say, Amen!