Current Bills and Legislation Affecting Texas

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Permalink Reply by Ed Devine TX Dist 5 on March 10, 2009 at 2:34pm

Texas, Utah Continue Push for Tougher Enforcement Legislation

On Thursday, February 26, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a legal opinion that concluded that a proposed state law that would suspend the business license of any employer that hires illegal aliens
would be constitutional under federal law. The AG found that the legislation proposed in Texas - which closely mirrors an Arizona law - does not conflict with the federal government's constitutional role in immigration matters. (Office of the Attorney General of Texas,

February 26, 2009; The Dallas Morning News, February 27, 2009). The legislation is currently pending in the Texas state legislature and, if passed, would provide the state with additional enforcement measures to ensure employers are not hiring illegal aliens, but instead hire only workers who are authorized to work in the United
States.

Read the full article

http://www.fairus.org/site/R?i=N_cqlf0_7kqsHmuNDtcmyA..

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Permalink Reply by Ed Devine TX Dist 5 on March 10, 2009 at 4:00pm

Texas Senate Bill S.B. 362 the so-called Voter ID Bill is being debated in the Texas Senate. Contact your Texas Senate member and urge them to pass this important Voter Identification bill.

For More details and to comment on this or other legislation:

http://www.statesurge.com/bills/438906-sb-362-texas

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Permalink Reply by Ed Devine TX Dist 5 on March 26, 2009 at 4:47pm

Several important Legislative Bills dealing with immigration enforcement in Texas are presently languishing in a committee chaired by Senator John Carona. We must make every effort to get these bills heard and passed. Please read what follows carefully, follow the links to the AG opinions and familiarize yourself with those opinions.

Please consider calling, faxing or e-mailing Senator Carona, and urge him to allow quick hearings on the important immigration related bills assigned to his committee, and ask that he work diligently to see that these bills are passed.

The Attorney General of Texas has ruled favorably on the constitutionality of several Legislative initiatives. Please familiarize yourself with the AG's opionions at:

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/opinions/50abbott/op/2009/pdf/g...

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/opinions/50abbott/op/2009/htm/g...


The following is Senator Carona's contact information, and I've provided an "example message" that you can cut and paste to suit your own needs.

CONTACT INFO:
Senator John Carona, Chair
Senate Transpiration & Homeland Security Committee
Phone: 512-463-0067
Fax: 512-463-0097
Email: john.carona@senate.state.tx.us

Example message:

Dear Senator Carona;

Although I am not one of your constituents, I feel it vital you set aside your political agenda and self interest and call for hearings and a vote on the following legislative bills:

SB 358 - Patrick re: suspension of licenses for employers hiring illegals;

and

SB 357 - Patrick re: relating to enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration certain government entities ("sanctuary cities");

Overwhelmingly, Texans understand and support policies to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws. These two legislative initiatives are vital to the economic, environmental and security interests of our state, and we, the citizens of Texas expect you to accept our will as guidance in our governance. Please work diligently to allow for quick hearings on these important bills and help pass this legislation.

Respectfully

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip

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Permalink Reply by Ed Devine TX Dist 5 on March 27, 2009 at 3:48pm

Monday, March 30, 2009
PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CONTACTS TO ATTEND THESE IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION RELATED HEARINGS TO SIGN A CARD IN SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATION


COMMITTEE: Criminal Jurisprudence
SUBCOMMITTEE: Criminal Procedure
TIME & DATE: 8:00 AM
PLACE: JHR 120
CHAIR: Rep. Joseph Moody

HB 2514
Author: Hopson (D-JACKSONVILLE)
Last Action: 03/30/2009 H Scheduled for public hearing
Caption: Relating to creating an offense for impersonating a United States citizen.


COMMITTEE: Public Safety
TIME & DATE: 2:00 PM or upon final adjourn./recess
PLACE: E2.014
CHAIR: Rep. Tommy Merritt

HB 4036
Author: Merritt (R-LONGVIEW)
Last Action: 03/30/2009 H Scheduled for public hearing
Caption: Relating to public safety and the issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards.


COMMITTEE: Border & Intergovernmental Affairs
TIME & DATE: 2:00 PM or upon final adjourn./recess
PLACE: E1.010
CHAIR: Rep. Veronica Gonzales

HB 4185
Author: Guillen (D-RIO GRANDE CITY)
Last Action: 03/30/2009 H Scheduled for public hearing
Caption: Relating to an annual report by the Border Security Council regarding criminal street gangs and gang-related crime.


(rev 11:15 a.m. – 3/26/09)

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