Thread: PA-STATE REP. READSHAW ILLEGAL ALIEN BILL WOULD HELP BRIDGE

STATE REP. READSHAW ILLEGAL ALIEN BILL WOULD HELP BRIDGE BUDGET GAP

US State News
August 24, 2009 Monday 10:51 AM EST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 18 -- Pennsylvania State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny (36th District) issued the following news release:

State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, today said Pennsylvania could bridge a large part of its revenue shortfall for the still-uncertain 2009-10 state budget by enacting his legislation that will prohibit illegal aliens from receiving state benefits.

Readshaw cited an article in the Aug. 14 edition of the Greensburg Tribune-Review in which the head of a group seeking immigration reform said that nearly $750 million dollars is spent by the Commonwealth on illegal immigrants annually.

Dan Stein, president of the Federation of American Immigration Reform, told the paper that each year, providing illegal immigrants with education and health care, along with the incarceration of a large number of illegal aliens, costs the average Pennsylvania taxpayer about $150.

According to Stein, most of that expense is due to educating the children of illegal aliens.

Readshaw said an estimated 100,000 illegal aliens are in Pennsylvania.

"Even if Mr. Stein is off by more than 50 percent, that $350 million represents a sizeable chunk of what we need to come up with to bridge our revenue shortfall and preserve essential services to the citizens of Pennsylvania and people here lawfully," said Readshaw.

Readshaw's proposal (H.B. 1184) will mandate anyone requesting public benefits, such as cash assistance, Medicaid, or in-state college tuition assistance, to sign an affidavit testifying that he or she is a citizen of the United States or an alien living in the country legally. Applicants also have to provide identification and proof of residency.

The bill is currently in the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

In April, the Senate passed similar legislation 41-9. That bill remains in the House State Government Committee.

"Enactment of my legislation or the Senate bill should be a no-brainer," asserted Readshaw.

"We're working to avert losing libraries and stave off increased student/teacher ratios and reductions in nursing care for veterans while many tens of millions of dollars are going to people who, by law, are not eligible for them.

My bill would simply help us enforce laws that already are on the books and preserve vital programs for the citizens of Pennsylvania and people who are here lawfully.

"Allowing table games at casinos might fill some of the revenue gap, but my bill will also be an important span on the bridge; one that we can accomplish almost immediately and which doesn't rely on raising additional money, just more responsibly spending the funds we already have."

For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 47&start=4

New Jersey has about FIVE TIMES as many Illegal Aliens. No wonder our taxes are OUT OF CONTROL....

Hah, I already knew that but it is true...Congrats to Pennsylvania for having a few patriotic, bold, and loyal politicians. Hopefully, these guys are ALWAYS making decisions like this "Whats best for my CITIZENS"

Unfortunately, many illegals are applying for benefits for their anchor babies. We should also be checking the parents for legal status.