3/7/08 IFIRE ALERT
Big Business and Big Religion are working feverishly with their friends (Rep. Mike Murphy & Rep. Crawford) in the legislature to prevent an illegal immigration bill from passing and landing on the Governor’s desk this year.
The session ends on March 14. We are very close to success but there are many places where this legislation can still get derailed. Only your continued involvement will persuade the lawmakers that it's in their best interest to listen to the voters instead of to big business or big religion.
Here’s where we are. Senator Delph’s bill was amended into two other bills, HB 1219 and SB 345. A conference committee was quickly established on HB 1219. Unfortunately, Speaker Bauer has not yet named conferees for SB 345 and we only have one week before the end of the session!
TAKE ACTION/TOP PRIORITIES:
Call and email:
Below is a copy and paste list of emails for the following politicians:
Governor Daniels-R; Speaker Bauer-D; Minority Leader Bosma-R; Senator Long-R; Representative Murphy-R; Rep. Crawford-D;
Rep. Tyler-D; Rep. Rep. Koch-R; Sen. Kruse-R; Sen. Arnold-D; Sen. Weatherwax-R
Copy & paste email list (in same order as above):
mdaniels@gov.in.gov; h6@in.gov; h88@in.gov; s16@in.gov; h90@in.gov; h98@in.gov; h34@in.gov; h65@in.gov; s14@in.gov; s8@in.gov; s18@in.gov
Here is a FREE EMAIL that can be sent to all:
Illegal immigration and property taxes are the top two issues in Indiana. Despite the fact that illegal immigration leads to higher taxes and unnecessary government spending, illegal immigration does not seem to be a priority to leaders of either party. Constituent surveys indicate that the vast majority of Hoosier voters place illegal immigration at the top of their priority lists. Additionally, a strong majority of members of both houses voted for this legislation as part of SB 345 and HB 1219.
This bill is very close to passing and the voters of Indiana have high expectations that both parties will work together to deliver a tough and effective bill to the Governor’s desk this year. Yet, I continue to hear rumors of political ploys on both sides of the aisle that would reward business interests and leave Hoosier workers struggling to pay the bills for your failure to take decisive action. I urge the majority of the members of the General Assembly to continue to represent the best interests of their constituents. If this legislation gets derailed, the widespread belief is that party leaders are to blame.
Please do all you can to help SB 345 and HB 1219 to become law without delay.
PHONE CALL INFORMATION:
Governor: 317-232-4567
Republican House Members: 1-800-382-9841
Democrat House Members: 1-800-382-9842
Senators: 1-800-382-9467
Senator David C. Long,
s16@in.gov , 1-800-382-9467
Governor Daniels,
mdaniels@gov.in.gov, 1-317-232-4567[/b]
Speaker B. Patrick Bauer,
h6@in.gov, 1-800-382-9842
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_dem ... index.html
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus
Rep. Vernon Smith (D-Gary)
h14@in.gov
Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis)
h99@in.gov
Rep. Carolene Mays (D-Indianapolis)
h94@in.gov
Sen. Glenn Howard (D-Indianapolis)
s33@in.gov
Rep. John Bartlett (D-Indianapolis)
h95@in.gov
Sen. Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis)
s34@in.gov
Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary)
h3@in.gov
Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Munster)
h12@in.gov
Rep. Bill Crawford (D-Indianapolis)
h98@in.gov
Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago)
h2@in.gov
Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis)
h96@in.gov
Sen. Earline Rogers (D-Gary)
s3@in.gov
Sen. Sam Smith (D-East Chicago)
s2@in.gov
Basic message: The immigration bill is very important to you and you'd appreciate more help from them to see that it becomes law this year. Do not let the political process kill this bill.
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MORE SAMPLE EMAILS:
Dear Senator Long:
Illegal immigration and property taxes are the top two issues in Indiana. Despite the fact that illegal immigration leads to higher taxes and unnecessary government spending, illegal immigration does not seem to be a priority to you. Constituent surveys indicate that the vast majority of Hoosiers want this issue addressed this year.
We were disappointed that it took you so long to appoint conferees on SB 345. This would seem to be consistent with the lack of enthusiasm you have expressed in relation to passing the bill. While it may not be "the end of the world" to you, it is an extremely high priority to voters.
The need for urgent action can be seen if you take a look at the numbers. Rounding off, it cost $342 million to educate 35,000 Limited English students in 2006. By 2007, the number of students increased by 7,000 to 42,000 Limited English students for a cost in excess of $408 million. Many of these students are children of illegal aliens. The same upward trend can be seen in remittances. In 2004, immigrants sent only $190 million out of our economy back to Latin American countries. By 2006, that number had increased to $386 million. Each year you delay, costs us more.
Please do not let the political process kill this bill. Please make sure the final bill contains all the tough illegal immigration language so it will be both fair and effective.
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Dear Governor Daniels:
Illegal immigration and property taxes are the top two issues in Indiana. Despite the fact that illegal immigration leads to higher taxes and unnecessary government spending, illegal immigration does not seem to be a priority to you. Constituent surveys indicate that the vast majority of Hoosiers want this issue addressed this year.
Although you have shown leadership on the property tax issue, you have not provided any on illegal immigration. You office has advised us that you will not take a position on this legislation until it's on your desk. When asked about your position on illegal immigration in general, we were told "It's a federal problem." This is a disappointing answer from the governor of a state whose schools spent over $342 million to educate Limited English students in 2006 and over $408 million in 2007. What will the bill be for 2008? Many of these students are children of illegal aliens and Hoosier tax dollars should not be spent to educate them. Please work to pass Senator Delph's legislation now to alleviate the unnecessary tax burden on Hoosiers.
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Dear Speaker Bauer:
Thank you for naming conferees to HB 1219 so quickly. Unfortunately, you have not yet named conferees on SB 345 and there are only a few days left before the session ends! Please do not delay in appointing those conferees.
I know how you hate rumors, but we are hearing that all the illegal immigration language may be stripped out of HB 1219. Please do not allow that to happen. Please retain the tough illegal immigration language and deliver the fair, effective legislation that Hoosiers are expecting. We are counting on you! Do not let the political process derail this bill.
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Newspaper Articles:
***Mike Murphy:Conflict of Interest???***
Visit this link for more details: http://hoosiersforsecureborders.com/
Rep. Murphy trying to kill bill:
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/ ... 86cd80.txt
More Murphy:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/ ... 77751.html
Extremist Pastors, Black Caucus oppose bill:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 1/80306029
Heaven has secure borders, too:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... /803070401
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HOUSE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE on HB 1219
(Concentrate on Conferees who must sign off on the Conference Report. The advisors role is just that...advisory. Speaker Bauer can change conferees and advisors at his whim. The Speaker can also hang the bill up in the Rules Committee.)
2/28/08 House Conferees appointed:
Democrat phone: 1-800-382-9842
Republican phone: 1-800-382-9841
Dennis Tyler (D), h34@in.gov
Eric Koch (R), h65@in.gov
2/28/08 House advisors:
Russ Stilwell (D),
h74@in.gov
P. Eric. Turner (R),
h32@in.gov
*Matt Bell (R),
h83@in.gov
3/3/08 Senate Conferees appointed:
Senate phone number: 1-800-382-9467
Dennis Kruse (R),
s14@in.gov
Jim Arnold (D),
s8@in.gov
3/3/08 Senate advisors:
Ryan Mishler (R),
s9@in.gov
Karen Tallian (D),
s4@in.gov
Greg Walker (R),
s41@in.gov
Bob Deig (D),
s49@in.gov
Comments of interest:
*Sen. Tallian voted for the bill in committee after demanding and receiving a special exemption for lawyers but she voted against the final passage of the bill by the entire House.
*Rep. Bell voted against the bill. He objects to the $1.5 M appropriation to cover expenses of the state police when they go for federal training and the Attorney General for the additional duties of investigating/prosecuting complaints against employers.
Senator Kruse was responsible for adding pro-business amendments (like the 1,500 hr/year language that would have exempted all seasonal and casual laborers from scrutiny.)
Rep. Turner, depending on your point of view, either strengthened the bill or added a "poison pill" by attempting to restrict public benefits.
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SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON SB 345
(Concentrate on Conferees who must sign off on the Conference Report. The advisors role is just that...advisory. Senator Long just named his conferees late on 3/6/08 which shows a lack of enthusiasm for this legislation. Sen. Long can add or change conferees at his whim.)
3/6/08 Senate Conferees appointed:
Senate phone number: 1-800-382-9467
Senator Thomas K. Weatherwax (R),
s18@in.gov
Senator Jim Arnold (D),
s8@in.gov
Senate advisors:
Senator Mike Delph (R),
s29@in.gov
Senator Dennis Kruse (R),
s14@in.gov
Senator Lindel O. Hume (D),
s48@in.gov
Senator Bob Deig (D),
s49@in.gov
**Note that no House Conferees or Advisors have been named yet.