Thread: Senate GOP strikes back at Spitzer's illegal immigrant plan

(quote)



Senate GOP strikes back at Spitzer's illegal immigrant plan

By VALERIE BAUMAN

Associated Press Writer

5:43 PM EDT, October 22, 2007

ALBANY, N.Y.

The Senate's Republican majority moved Monday to try to block Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to make it easier for illegal immigrants to receive driver's licenses.

It's part of an uncertain special session that could include action on pay raises for legislators and judges and tax breaks despite a projected deficit.

The Senate's license bill would require applicants for a driver's license to be in the country legally. Spitzer's plan will end that requirement in December, by no longer requiring a Social Security number to get or renew a license.

Spitzer has said he can start the new policy in December without the Legislature's approval.

"We will change those rules," Spitzer said. "If somebody will challenge it, we'll see what the courts will do." He said he believes his administration is within its legal authority in changing the rules.

"This governor is so ill advised, there's an arrogance to it that is hard to understand," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

The Assembly's Democratic majority has supported the Democratic governor's plan, although some Democrats may side with the opposed Republican minority. The Senate's measure, if passed as expected in that chamber, wouldn't become law without the Assembly's support.

Bruno said the attempt to change the policy on illegal immigrants was unconstitutional, contradicted the REAL ID Act and opposed the guidelines provided by the 911 commission.

After leaving a closed-door conference with Senate Democrats, Spitzer said the discussion was ongoing.

"Reasonable people will disagree on tough issues," Spitzer said. "That's part of the discourse we have on tough issues and that's wonderful, that's as it should be. I think some of the rhetoric that has been imposed and brought into this issue has not only been overheated but I would say counterproductive."

Richard Clarke, the former counterterrorism adviser to three presidents, and William Bratton, the former commissioner of the New York City Police Department have supported the governor's plan.

Meanwhile, the Assembly's minority Republican caucus called on Democrats to help pass legislation with new amendments when they go into session Tuesday. The new items would also prevent Spitzer's plan from going through.

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith said he and most of his Democratic caucus support the governor's plan.

"This is the right way to go, given that Washington has failed to act" on illegal immigration, Smith said on the Senate floor.

A spokesman for Silver and Assembly Democrats had no comment on how they would vote on the issue if forced to.

A Siena College poll released last week found 72 percent of voters were opposed to "the governor's plan to allow undocumented immigrants to get New York driver's licenses."

Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco of Schenectady said Republicans plan to force a vote on the issue on Tuesday, if the Assembly goes into session.

The session came the same day that Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola filed a lawsuit to prevent implementation of the new license policy.

"All county clerks this is a crazy idea," he said.

Earlier in the day more than 100 people gathered in front of the state Capitol to protest the governor's plan.

Shelley Martin, 54, of Cobleskill, said the governor's plan would send a bad message, and that it's wrong to reward people for breaking the law by being in the country illegally.

"I thought as attorney general he would enforce our laws," Martin said. "I'm disappointed."

___P>

Associated Press Writer Michael Gormley contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2007, The Associated Press

(quote)

Psalm 91

Spitzer said. "If somebody will challenge it, we'll see what the courts will do." He said he believes his administration is within its legal authority in changing the rules.

"This governor is so ill advised, there's an arrogance to it that is hard to understand," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

Bruno, I couldn't agree more! Strong-arm tactics and abuse of power!

Arrogance beyond belief. Who's he representing? Illegal Aliens!

Spitzer, have you hugged an illegal today?

Dixie

Fill the voice mails and emails of all New York Senators to oppose this foolishness.

Psalm 139:14