Confirmation stalled over concerns
Republican halts vote amid questions over immigration.

David A. Lieb • The Associated Press • February 5, 2009


Jefferson City -- A senator stalled the confirmation of Gov. Jay Nixon's economic development director Wednesday because of concerns she is soft on illegal immigration.

Linda Martinez was part of a coalition of lawyers that sued the St. Louis suburb of Valley Park in 2007 for ordinances that fined businesses and landlords for hiring and renting to illegal immigrants.

Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, sponsored a state law last year that cracks down on businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Rupp filibustered the confirmation of Martinez on Wednesday while citing concerns about her immigration work and complaining that Martinez hadn't met with him.

Rupp relinquished the Senate floor Wednesday only after Martinez made an appointment to meet with him today . Senators were expected to vote later today on her confirmation.

Opponents to Martinez's confirmation have circulated an excerpt from the current issue of St. Louis Magazine in which Martinez says Valley Park was trying to place the burden of immigration enforcement -- normally handled by the federal government -- on local businesses.

"The nation historically has gotten stronger when we open our borders and work together rather than being isolationist," Martinez is quoted as saying in the magazine. "For me -- my father moved here from Mexico in the '50s to do his residency and met my mother at Barnes Hospital -- it was kind of personal."

Rupp said Martinez's position on illegal immigration is vital as the Economic Development Department decides whether to grant tax breaks to businesses that expand in Missouri.

"We want hardworking Missourians to get jobs, not those who are here illegally, and to make sure that her stances are strictly personal and will not bleed over to her official capacities," Rupp said.

Martinez testified last week before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee that as economic development director she will abide by Missouri's laws regarding illegal immigrants.

She offered similar assurances in letters written to Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis, who previously had raised concerns about her legal work on the Valley Park case. Lembke said in an interview Wednesday that he was satisfied with her responses and would not block her confirmation.

Rupp said he merely wants his concerns addressed and doesn't believe Nixon should withdraw Martinez's nomination.

Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said the governor stands by her appointment and believes "Martinez will be the best person to help lead the economic turnaround." She has been serving as the department's acting director pending her Senate confirmation.

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