Posted on Mon, Jan. 28, 2008
Immigration bill moving forward
By NOELLE PHILLIPS

House takes up debate this week as legislators try to make good on promise to governor

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly’s major immigration package is expected to cross an important hurdle this week when it is debated on the House floor.

When the legislative session began three weeks ago, lawmakers pledged to send an immigration bill to Gov. Mark Sanford within the first two months. It appears they will hit that target if the House approves the most popular of the pending bills.

The bill has wide support within the Republican-controlled Legislature. Those who oppose it are Democrats, but they don’t have enough votes to hold it up.

The Senate approved a similar version of the bill last year.

Sanford also wants quick action on an immigration package, but the bills working their way through the General Assembly include a provision the governor has said he does not like: They would allow state law to pre-empt local government immigration ordinances.

The governor will take a wait-and-see approach when a bill is finally approved by both the House and Senate, Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said.

“Overall, we think the bills are a step in the right direction,â€