Thread: RED ALERT! Last push in Indiana! We need you now!

Working on it.

Oh, I just missed all the action.

Too Late Dixie

Any news out of Indiana on this? Anyone know the latest?

I was. too. Dixie. I just got in here. I've been out straight all day on some things I couldn't get out of. Sorry guys, I'll jump on the next one.

This is the latest we have. While the title of the article proclaims the bill is dead, the text of the article says otherwise. This was from 7:27pm tonight.

No immigration bill this year in Indiana

Eric Bradner
Originally published 06:29 p.m., March 13, 2008
Updated 07:27 p.m., March 13, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS — UPDATE

Indiana will not pass a bill this year to crack down on businesses that employ undocumented aliens.

Sen. Tom Weatherwax, R-Logansport, who chaired a House-Senate conference committee tasked with finding a compromise version of the immigration bill, said that as all heads turn to property taxes in the waning hours of the legislative session, immigration goes on the back burner.

The best the legislature can do this year, he said, is to create a summer study committee that will present its recommendations to next year's General Assembly.

Weatherwax earlier Thursday had tasked the conference committee - which has one member from each party in both the House and the Senate - with finding out what their caucuses could agree to.

But half an hour after they were scheduled to reconvene Thursday night, the committee's members had not returned. That was when Weatherwax said he'd recommend a study committee instead of attempting to rush through an immigration bill before the legislative session ends Friday at midnight.

Lawmakers worked into the evening Thursday to hash out an agreement on a bill that would crack down on business that employ unauthorized immigrants.

A conference committee made up of Indiana House and Senate members has met twice today, and is scheduled to reconvene later tonight. The panel's chairman, Sen. Tom Weatherwax, R-Logansport, sent its members back to their caucuses with the instructions to find "some answers as far as what you think you could do."

The conference committee consists of one voting member from both parties in the House and Senate, and in order for the bill to proceed, it must gain unanimous approval from all four members.

Emotions are high on both sides of the debate over illegal immigration. It's drawn the attention of religious groups, which have held dueling press conferences -- some for the bill, others against it.

Opponents of the immigration bill included business leaders and advocates for the Hispanic community. They argued that illegal immigration is an issue that demands action from the federal government, not the state. They've called the bill unconstitutional. Religious leaders have also argued that the bill will cause racial profiling on the part of employers.

The bill's supporters have said that illegal immigration demands action because it places an unnecessary burden on the state's health care and education systems. They've said that while it's best for the federal government to act on the issue, its failure to do so means Indiana must pass its own bill.

The House, which Democrats control by a narrow 51-49 majority, passed what some of the bill's Senate supporters called a watered-down version. Republicans have a strong hold on Senate control.

The House version kept the three-strikes provision, but shortened the time span during which penalties would increase after each strike from 10 years to five years.

That version shifted the burden for enforcement from local prosecutors, who would press charges in courtrooms, to administrative law judges and the state Department of Labor. Companies could appeal decisions made in that less formal process.

It also said Indiana State Police "may" negotiate an agreement with federal authorities for training to enforce federal immigration laws, but unlike the Senate version, it does not require them to do so.

According to 2006 estimates from the PEW Hispanic Center, there are up to 85,000 unauthorized immigrants who currently live in Indiana.

One compromise, offered by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, and Rep. Vern Tincher, D-Riley, would put the three-strike provision's time span at seven years. It would keep the administrative law process involving the Department of Justice, and it would require the Indiana State Police to negotiate for training with federal authorities.

That version appropriates $1.5 million to pay for the training.

Another compromise version, offered by Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, would have the state attorney general notify federal agents of violations of the three-strikes provision, rather than initiating a state administrative procedure.

It is not yet clear if either of the introduced compromises will gain the required support.

Tensions mounted in a hearing that began at 5:45 p.m., as Delph, who has strongly advocated passing an illegal immigration bill before this year's legislative session ends Friday at midnight, accused an immigration attorney who testified before the committee of "profiting from an illegal activity." Weatherwax warned committee members against badgering witnesses.

The conference committee is slated to reconvene at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Immigration proposal appears dead
Associated Press - March 13, 2008 10:24 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A bill to crack down on companies that hire illegal immigrants appears dead for the year.

Senator Tom Weatherwax chairs the House-Senate conference committee that was working on a compromise proposal. He says lawmakers did not have time to hash out an agreement before the session ends tomorrow. He wants to send the issue to a summer study committee instead.

It was unclear whether other lawmakers on the committee would support sending the issue to a study committee, but Weatherwax said he would work tonight to get them to sign off on the idea.

Weatherwax says it would be better for lawmakers to send the issue to a summer study committee - and possibly take action next year - than to pass a bill with consequences they don't fully understand.
http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp? ... =menu593_2

This article claims the bill died tonight in committee.

It is my understanding that final death occurs when they recess the session if this bill is not sent to the floor by the conferees for concurrence.

[quote]Immigration bill dead -- for now

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After months of debate and a furious last-minute effort by supporters to move it through the General Assembly, the proposed crackdown on businesses that hire illegal workers appeared to have died tonight in a conference committee.

The chief sponsor the legislation said he wasn’t ready to call it quits just yet.
But with more than half the senators and representatives missing from their seats — on a night when the major concern was property tax reform — the chairman of the conference committee recommended the issue of illegal immigration be sent to a summer study committee. That means no action before the next legislative session in 2009 at the soonest.

Most polls indicate more than 70 percent of Hoosiers wanted something done to address illegal immigration.

“It is a big disappointment and it is the No. 2 issue,â€

Wimp Out!!! Illegal immigration and Employer sanctions needs more study??? Are you friggin' kiddin' me?!?

Auto e-mail responses. No information as to position. Calls were logged as yes/no and no information as to positions. Contacted each.

The Senate Bill is still alive.

Info to follow.

W