Thread: Ut- House panel OKs funding of study on undocu immigrants'

House panel OKs funding of study on undocumented immigrants' economic impact
By Sheena Mcfarland

The Salt Lake Tribune

Posted: 02/20/2009 12:11:02 AM MST


A bill that would fund a $150,000 study to determine the economic impacts of undocumented immigrants in Utah passed a House committee Friday.

HB107, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Clark, R-Provo, originally delayed the implementation of a comprehensive immigration reform bill passed last year, SB81. Now, the bill would fund the study and allow SB81 to take effect as planned in July.

Clark served on the immigration task force for the past year, and said while he heard emotional testimony, he heard few facts.

"People would testify about the economic impact illegal aliens impose upon our economy, but every time I asked where that data and information came from, no one could give an answer," Clark said. "It's important before we make critical decisions on immigration we know what the actual impact is."

Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, voted for the bill, but chided Clark for removing the implementation delay from the bill.

"It's extraordinarily unwise to move forward on SB81 when we don't have the basic information this would provide," King said.

Rep. Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, questioned the need for a study and voted against the bill.

"In Texas, where they cost $487 million, or in Arizona where they provide a $260 million benefit, is it any more illegal for an illegal to be in the country in Texas or Arizona?" he asked.

The bill passed the committee 8-4, and moves to the full House for further action.



smcfarland@sltrib.com



http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11749243

I have had unlicensed drunk illegal aliens total my car TWICE now. Both times the repair bills were over $5,000. Is that kind of a cost going to be factored into what Illegal Aliens cost our economy?

Our local school district will not come out and say the 17 percent increase in our school tax rate is because of Illegal Aliens, instead choosing to be politically correct, simply telling the press and us the tax payers that they have seen a larger than expected increase in the student population. Is that cost going to be factored into the study?

I could go on, but think you get my point...the study once completed is still going to be incomplete, is not going to show all the NEGATIVE FINANCIAL IMPACTS of Illegal Aliens in our communities.

When official-types want to avoid making decisions which may cost them votes, they order studies of everything by high-priced consultants. After all why worry? It is not their personal money, but that of their constituents.