Illegal immigration policy tops legislature's to-do list

By Walter C. Jones
Monday, January 24, 2011
ATLANTA, GA

One of many bills expected to be debated this legislative session - toughing-up the way Georgia deals with illegal immigrants - will get its formal introduction this week.

At the same time, the Georgia General Assembly will formally organize its committees this week, and the governor and legislative leaders will unveil their major goals for the 2011 legislative session.

Topping the list of goals is a proposal to further crack down on illegal immigrants.

Lawmakers have been meeting since the 2010 session to craft a bill similar to Arizona's law that would allow local police officers to stop anyone they suspect is in the country without a visa. The bill also likely will prohibit people without documentation from enrolling in public colleges and universities.

"House and Senate leadership is committed to strengthening Georgia's laws as they pertain to ensuring a legal workforce, protecting public benefits for eligible recipients, and supporting law enforcement in efforts to remove illegal aliens who are serving time in local jails," said Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers of Woodstock.

Gov. Nathan Deal, House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will outline their legislative agendas Tuesday morning at a breakfast hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Typically, major announcements come out of the annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast, which was postponed when snow blanketed North Georgia two weeks ago.

Deal could bring out additional legislative initiatives when he addresses municipal officials, county sheriffs and business executives at other gatherings this week.

Little formal business is expected to transpire on the House and Senate floors because committees in each chamber must meet to adopt rules and assign subcommittees.

"Most of the new chairmen are making small tweaks to their rules," said House Majority Leader Larry O'Neal of Bonaire.

Just a fraction of the 1,500 bills considered each session have been introduced so far.

The one committee that's already got major legislation on its plate is the House Appropriations Committee. This week, its eight subcommittees will dive into the details of the governor's recommended midyear adjustment to the current budget.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/012 ... 8576.shtml