By Joe Jordan / July 12, 2013
nebraskawatchdog.org

If, as expected, State Sen. Tom Carlson launches his bid for governor Friday, the Holdrege Republican will set up an election year immigration fight within the GOP.

In 2012, Carlson backed a bill which offered prenatal care to unborn children of low-income women.

“The unborn baby is legal, is innocent, is defenseless and needs protection,” said Carlson during floor debate on the legislation.

The same bill was opposed by State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont, a Republican who launched his bid for governor in February and is making his fight against illegal immigration a major issue of the campaign.

As Nebraska Watchdog recently reported Janssen is using the immigration issue to try and raise campaign cash.

The 2012 prenatal bill was vetoed by Gov. Dave Heineman but lawmakers by one vote—including Carlson’s (see video below)—overrode Heineman’s veto.

Earlier this year Janssen introduced legislation to repeal the law arguing that it will act as a magnet.

According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Janssen said, “We’re looking at the fact that Nebraska is the only state that offers this, so if somebody’s in this country illegally in one of our border states, the natural inclination is going to be to come to Nebraska and further sap the Nebraska taxpayers.”

The Legislature’s Fiscal Analyst estimated the prenatal law would cost $2.5 million a year: $1.9 million in federal dollars and $650,000 in state funds.

During the 2012 debate Carlson defended the price-tag.

“Our choice for prenatal care means there are going to be more healthy babies and I believe less expensive,” said the 71-year-old Carlson. “There’s a choice of no prenatal care. There will be fewer healthy babies and they will be more expensive. Either way we will pay.”

http://watchdog.org/94928/illegal-im...overnors-race/