Thread: Democrat White, in Lubbock, faults Arizona immigration law

Democrat White, in Lubbock, faults Arizona immigration law
By Elliott Blackburn | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Friday, April 30, 2010
Story last updated at 4/30/2010 - 12:12 am

Texas should welcome all residents who "work hard and play by the rules" and keep law enforcement focused on violent crime, the Democratic hopeful for the governor's seat told a crowd of about 70 on the Texas Tech campus Thursday.

Former Houston Mayor Bill White said a new Arizona immigration law that makes lacking immigration documents a state crime for local officers to investigate would be an unwelcome distraction for Texas officers.

"Anything that diverts them from that job means the crime rate is going to go up, period," White said.

The Associated Press reported Thursday two lawsuits challenging the Arizona law had been filed, and protests of the bill were planned in Dallas.

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued a statement through his state office late Thursday afternoon expressing a similar reluctance to assign new duties to local police and restating his requests for National Guard troops and unmanned drones on the border.

"I fully recognize and support a state's right and obligation to protect its citizens, but I have concerns with portions of the law passed in Arizona and believe it would not be the right direction for Texas," Perry said in the statement.

Republican State Reps. Debbie Riddle, who represents an area on Houston's edge, and Leo Burman of Tyler, have said they would file legislation next session creating a similar law in Texas.

Democratic state legislators have spoken against the measure.

White stopped on campus during a swing that included a stop in Plainview and a speech to Lubbock's Chamber of Commerce.

He said Perry's request for all state agencies to trim budgets by 5 percent ignored the need to set priorities, such as higher education.

Texas Tech has hopes of becoming a state-designated tier one research institution, but meeting those goals while cutting budgets has raised concerns.

"I'd find the highest priorities first - not this 'across the board' stuff," White said.

He also criticized what he called a lack of civility in modern politics, something he said he would hope to change in the state.

U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, drew national attention after shouting "baby killer" during a heated federal health care debate.

"The name-calling politicians are a dime a dozen," White said. "Aren't we better than that as a state?"

Perry campaign spokeswoman Catherine Frasier said she was not familiar with any name-calling.

"The governor is focused on his strong record on continuing to create jobs for Texas and maintain a strong economic position compared to the rest of the nation," Frasier said.



http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/04 ... 7941.shtml

Originally Posted by FedUpinFarmersBranch

Democrat White, in Lubbock, faults Arizona immigration law Texas should welcome all residents who "work hard and play by the rules" and keep law enforcement focused on violent crime, the Democratic hopeful for the governor's seat told a crowd of about 70 on the Texas Tech campus Thursday.

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued a statement through his state office late Thursday afternoon expressing a similar reluctance to assign new duties to local police and restating his requests for National Guard troops and unmanned drones on the border.

"I fully recognize and support a state's right and obligation to protect its citizens, but I have concerns with portions of the law passed in Arizona and believe it would not be the right direction for Texas," Perry said in the statement.

Don't Texans have a great choice for our next Governor?