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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Green (R)

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Legislative update (4-8-19)

Monday, April 8, 2019

Neighbor,

In a recent email, I mentioned the House was set to vote on a bill which would issue non-compliant (non-Real ID) driver’s licenses and state ID cards to immigrants here illegally. That happened on Friday afternoon, when Democrats led it to preliminary passage on a 74-52 vote.

This bill came to the floor just one day after Democrats advanced bills to restrict gun rights for law-abiding citizens, disappointingly including H.F. 8 (background checks) and H.F. 9 (red flags) in an omnibus public safety bill.

Democrats have a majority in the House, meaning they will be able to run right past Republican objections to these anti-gun proposals and approve this omnibus bill – gun provisions and all. That means we are counting on the Senate Republican majority to stand its ground on this issue and make sure they protect our Second Amendment rights as they receive this bill.

As for the driver’s licenses and IDs for immigrants here illegally, I mentioned in that previous email how there are significant reasons (including regarding public safety) to be concerned about the direction this bill takes us and I would like to circle back with a little more on this subject.

First of all, it is against the law to be present in the United States without authorization. This bill perpetuates our broken immigration system and grants privileges to those we know are breaking the law. (Note: It may technically not be a crime under federal law to be unlawfully present, but it is a civil offense with consequences).

Also, it is against the law for employers to knowingly hire immigrants here illegally to work at their business. We have seen cases over the years of bad actors exploiting immigrants here illegally by hiring them as workers under lower pay, poor working conditions and more. This bill encourages those practices to continue.

Curiously, the new driver’s licenses and ID’s would be required to include the language “not for voting” on them. That is interesting because Democrats time and again have blocked voter ID proposals from becoming law. What purpose does it serve to put “not for voting” on an ID, when there is no law requiring state-issued IDs to be presented for voting?

We need policies that are consistent with the laws of this country and should not be adding loopholes that only serve to perpetuate our broken system continues.

On a final quick note, here is a quick reminder of a town hall meeting I will be hosting along with Rep. Matt Grossell and Sen. Paul Uke 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at the Great Northern Bar and Grill in Bagley. I hope you can make it. If the legislative schedule permits, we also may host another town hall the weekend of May 11. I will share more on that if/when the details come together.

-Steve