This was written by one of my Idaho State Senators and published in our local paper. There's a comment section at the link. You can comment without registering, although there is a delay for comments to show up.
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Illegal immigration: 'Taxation without representation'
Posted: Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 11:45:27 pm PDT
Email this story Printer friendly version By SEN. JOHN GOEDDE
R-Coeur d'Alene

Once upon a time in almost every American's family tree, there was an immigrant to this country. In my personal case, three of four grandparents were "from the old country." While immigrants in the past may have settled in communities of similar heritage, they assimilated into the American culture. My maternal grandparents were no different and I have told this story many times. Both were Italian and settled in the mining community of Chelan, Wash., where many fellow workers were also Italian. One day, while my grandparents were downtown, my grandfather overheard my grandmother in a conversation with other Italian women on the sidewalk. They were conversing in Italian. When my grandparents got home, my grandfather scolded my grandmother for using her native tongue. He said "You are in America now, you speak English." Proudly all three became U.S. citizens and continued to Americanize their respective families.

I lost some heritage in the process. The only Italian I know is Molte Bella which means good fire. I apologize for spelling or translation as it has been a great while. That was a small loss compared to being raised an American.

After the Eisenhower administration, our government became very lax in allowing foreign nationals to reside in our country illegally. The consequences of inaction have not been good and I point out the horror of Sept. 11, as an example. Two of the 911 hijackers had immigration violations, three were illegal aliens.

There is another, more subtle problem with allowing illegals to live in our country and that is the cost to taxpayers. Recently, I requested that Idaho undergo a study to determine how many Idaho resources are being spent on people who have no right to live in our state. Since that request, I have been provided a wealth of information on costs. For example, in 2004 in our primary and secondary education system, the cost of illegal immigrants was something more than $11 for every man, woman, and child in our state or a total of $15,869,071 according to one study.

Idaho's population of criminal aliens in jail and in prison is rapidly escalating and certainly there is demand on our health and welfare system. Sales tax and income tax payers carry the burden for the prosecution and incarceration of criminal immigrants. Counties, through their 'indigent funds,' provided by local property taxes, are forced to pay for illegal immigrant health care. Emergency and maternity care is mandated by the federal government and the states bear the burden.

Accurate information is imperative when considering future action. I sincerely hope my request for an accounting of the costs of taxpayer dollars spent on illegal immigrants in Idaho will be honored as soon as possible.

I, in no way, intend to direct this study toward legal foreign nationals or legal immigrants who reside in Idaho. I believe in compliance with United States immigration laws.

There is a place for temporary guest workers in Idaho, but employers using guest worker services, not taxpayers, bear responsibility for their welfare. I would urge every employer to use the information systems now available to determine that they employ only those with the legal right to work in our state.

The first step in correcting the current situation is to determine the extent of the problem to the best of our ability as elected officials. Unfortunately, many of the costs of illegal immigrants to our state cannot be quantified, such as the strain on our natural resources from overpopulation, the costs of infrastructure for roads, utilities, schools, etc, and all are provided at taxpayer expense. Money from the illegal immigrant population is frequently remitted to Mexico. This loss to local economies cannot be translated into dollars. The collateral damage from illegal immigrant crime cannot be measured. How do you calculate the costs incurred from the crime of identity theft? Or, the cost of pain and suffering to American families as a consequence of illegal alien sex offenders, DUIs, murders, and other serious felony crimes?

The second is to take our findings to the citizens of Idaho. Many of you have personal stories to tell in regard to this problem and I would welcome hearing from you. I am concerned about rising costs to taxpayers. Supporting the burgeoning illegal immigrant population with Idaho tax dollars, and without disclosure, is tantamount to 'taxation without representation.'

Sen. Goedde is chairman of the Senate Education Committee.


http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2008/0 ... tter09.txt