Thread: PA: Contractor licensing law will curb IA hiring!

http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/print ... d=19257288

article:


02/02/2008
Licensing building contractors can help curb illegal immigration, legislator hopes
BY ROBERT SWIFT
HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF

HARRISBURG — Rep. Robert Belfanti says the state can curb the hiring of illegal immigrants at work sites by requiring that building contractors be licensed.

Belfanti, D-Northumberland, introduced legislation this week to create a state Fair Contracting Board to issue licenses to contractors in the building, electrical, heating, plumbing trades and several other related trades. Under the bill, a contractor would need a state license to do business and obtain building permits.

Belfanti said the measure, if enacted, would drive away unlicensed out-of-state contractors who are “using illegal immigrants to undercut contractors that do things the right way.â€

This is a good step. States that do not already have such requirements would be wise to adopt them. Even then, as in my own state, many illegals still set up businesses.