Immigration issues come to forefront at forum
Littzen, Tjepkes address group with foes absent

By BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writer POSTED: October 22, 2008

With their competitors absent, legislative candidate Mike Littzen and state Rep. David Tjepkes offered their ideas on illegal immigration Tuesday evening during a scaled-back forum.

Tjepkes, a Republican from Gowrie, said a measure he introduced to crack down on identity theft may become a way to confront the influx of illegal immigrants.

Littzen, a Republican from Fort Dodge, called for penalizing employers that hire undocumented workers.

Both men said they believe government is becoming too big and intrusive. But when pressed on the issue of expanding eligibility for programs like food stamps, they agreed that some level of government help will always be needed.

They addressed about 20 people during a forum hosted by Well-Informed Webster People, a local taxpayers association.

Tjepkes is seeking his fourth term in the 50th House District, which includes Calhoun and Greene counties plus most of Webster County. His opponent, Democrat Lynne Gentry, of Rockwell City, wasn't present because of a schedule conflict.

Littzen is challenging state Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, in the 49th House District. That district includes Fort Dodge and northeastern Webster County. Miller was sick Tuesday, but is scheduled to address the group on Oct. 28.

Responding to a question from the audience, Tjepkes said illegal immigration is ''by and large a federal issue.''

But he added that since identity theft has been a factor in illegal immigration, an amendment he authored early this year could be helpful.

He said his amendment would make it a crime for a government employee to sell or release records containing personal information. He said it was approved by a committee, but was never considered by the full House of Representatives. Tjepkes said he'll try again to get that measure passed if he's re-elected.

Littzen said he wants bigger fines for employers who hire illegal immigrants.

''If you eliminate the jobs, they will not come to Iowa,'' he said. ''We need to get a lot tougher on this.''

The two Republicans shared their concerns about the size of state government.

''I think too much government is getting too involved in too many elements of our life,'' Tjepkes said.

Littzen echoed that theme, saying ''Government should stay out of our lives.''

Despite their aversion to what they see as big government, the candidates didn't rule out the possibility that they would support an expansion of some human service programs.

Tjepkes said that in an ideal world, everyone would have a job and be able to take care of themselves. But in the real world, that's not always possible, he added.

''At some point in time, somebody needs to help,'' he said. ''You have to take each situation separately.''

Littzen said Iowa has a long tradition of people helping each other.

''It astonishes me that we help the wealthiest and Wall Street, but when it comes to helping the flood victims then we're scraping and scratching for money,'' he said.

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