Georgia Immigration-Themed Legislative Rundown (post Cross Over Day)

Now, a Summary:
Three alive bills
- The Senate and House versions of the Show Me Your Papers/ Arizona copycat bills, SB 40 and HB 87 cross to the opposite chamber for committee hearings.(SB 40 now in House Judiciary Non-Civil and HB 87 in Senate Judiciary)
- The SB 162 bill that makes a DUI a felony on first occurrence ONLY for an undocumented person, is in House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (we believe this passed the Senate in a fluke and can be stalled out on the House side, but watch for alerts)

Bills that were stopped and cannot proceed as written*:
SB 7 - Hurt and Run - denial of workers comp to an undocumented worker
SB 27 - Mandatory E-VERIFY
SB 104 - Arizona copycat bill on steroids
SB 172 - Mandatory 287g for counties over 100k population
HB 59 - Destroy the Dream ban on college access even at out of state tuition rate
HB 72 - English Only for drivers license written test
*we do watch for attempts to amend other bills with language from these failed proposals

This Week:
The week began with the Senate vote on SB 40, the Senate Arizona copycat version that many considered less comprehensive than the House "Show Me Your Papers" HB 87. This bill is still considered by progressives to be totally unacceptable and unworkable & very bad for Georgia. Many followed the extended debate that saw bipartisan opposition, There were Senators who spoke against the bill and then voted for it, and other nuanced maneuvers.

The 34-21 passage included three Republicans voting No. Two of those three thought the bill unworkable but the other thought the bill not tough enough. One excused absence, non-voting Senator (Democrat) would have voted No. And two Democrats voted for. Since there were a couple of Republican Senators that expressed problems with the bill prior to the vote (mostly from districts that are heavily influenced by agricultural interests) progressives were disappointed that they didn't have the political courage to vote accordingly. In addition to the pressure on Republicans to support a Party priority, there was also a feeling that the Senate version had to be kept alive to be "competition" for the more onerous HB 87. Everyone expects that whatever emerges as a final version of a "Show Me Your Papers Bill" will be the result of a conference committee re-write once the two bills work their way through the opposite chamber processes. 

Due to the knowledge that some of the Republican Yes votes were weak, there was a motion to reconsider the vote. This motion would give Senators the opportunity to change their minds. It would have taken a switch of at least 6 Senators to have been successful. If this number could not be achieved, there would be no reason for a reconsideration vote to be taken. And that is what happened. So in sum, there WERE Senators willing to reconsider but not unless they were covered by at least 6 others. SB 40 moves to the House as passed Monday 3-14 by the original vote of 34-21. It was not "passed again" on 3-16, there simply was no vote on reconsideration, the 3-14 vote stands.

The infamous Crossover Day came with the intense drama of not only working to turn Senators on SB 40, but also working, waiting and preparing for potential House action on HB 59 "Destroy the Dream" and the tabled HB 72 English Only bill-which HB 72 English fell under a different procedure because it was a Tabled bill. It was not subject to the Supplemental Calendar process, it actually could have been called at any time in between other bills. The Speaker could entertain a Motion for Remove from the Table. He never recognized a member to make that motion, so this bill technically expired just as the other bills failing to pass by Crossover Day. 

Next Week:
The House and Senate are in session Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (start time is 1:00 pm Monday and 10:00 am Tuesday and Wednesday)
No Committee meetings have yet been scheduled for any immigration-related bills in either the House or Senate, but they could come up quick. Only a few committees have posted their hearings for next week. 

Alive Bills:
SB 162 Felony DUI for first violation ONLY if undocumented, has already been assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil
SB 40 Show Me Your Papers (Senate version), we are sure will also go to Judiciary Non-Civil, but the assignment is official Monday
HB 87 Show Me Your Papers (House version) is already in Senate Judiciary, but not yet scheduled for hearing

The bills all go through the same procedure in the opposite chamber as they went through already.

Both Chambers:
1- Committee hearing or hearings. (Possible sub-committee assignment before full committee hearing, but not really likely for 40 or 87 but SB 162 may be buried in a sub-committee)
2- If passed by Committee, it will go to Rules
3- Rules decides if or when bill gets a floor vote

from Chamber to Chamber:
4- (a) If House votes yes to SB 40 in committee and the floor, it will go back to the Senate for a vote to approve the House passed version of that Senate bill.
(b) If the Senate votes yes to HB 87 in committee and the floor, it will go back to the House for a vote to approve the Senate version of that House bill.

5. If either chamber approves immediately the bills sent back to them from the opposite chamber, then the bill passes and goes to the Governor. Whichever bill is acted upon first becomes it.

6. if the rival chambers will NOT wholesale agree to the versions of the bill sent back to them from the other side.

7. This "disagree" posture will trigger what they call Conference Committee. Three members of the Senate are chosen to meet with three chosen members from the House.

8. The Conference Committee meets to take both bills and try to agree on a re-write that potentially includes portions of both bills. They have total latitude in this re-write process, 

9. Once the Conference Committee comes to agreement, their re-write goes to both the House and Senate for a vote to agree or disagree.

there are only 10 working days to do this. The 10 days will stretch into at least the second week of April. Although we do know they plan to be in recess April 4-8, the other days past the 28th are not yet announced.

TOMORROW: SAY NO TO HB 87! Yes to IMMIGRANT RIGHTS!

SPREAD THE WORD...FORWARD THIS EMAIL....TOMORROW: SAY NO TO HB 87! 
Yes to IMMIGRANT RIGHTS!

The House will  be voting on the anti-immigrant Arizona Copycat bill, HB 87 TOMORROW, March 3rd in the morning.  We are calling for a RALLY at 2:00pm (the time changed due to the schedule of the vote).  We do not know yet the outcome (but predictions are looking bad), so we must be prepared.  So if it loses, then we celebrate but if it passes, then we MUST be out there to SHAME the legislators who voted on it, and to immediately begin to pressure the Senate to oppose its version and the Governor to commit to VETO it.  Democratic legislators, including Leader Stacey Abrams, will be joining us. 

FORWARD THIS EMAIL.  COMMIT TO COME.  BRING FRIENDS. FAMILY.  NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW OPPOSITION TO THIS RACIST "SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS" BILL!.

WHAT:  Rally for Immigrant Rights and Against HB 87!  Urge the Governor to Commit to Veto the Bill, Urge the Senate to Vote DOWN its version.

WHERE:  Front steps of the capitol, Washington side.

WHEN: 2pm!!! 

WHY:   To show the media and the public that we will not be silent as immigrants are attacked and scapegoated.  To urge the Governor to Commit to Veto the Bill, and Urge the Senate to Vote DOWN its version.  If is approved tomorrow, the fight still goes on.  This is not a done deal BUT we must be out there to show them we are serious and will not be silent!

For questions call Lisa at 404.567.9451 or email Lisaadler@gmail.com

LA LUCHA SIGUE!

Action Needed NOW on HB 87! Up For Floor Vote TOMORROW!!!

HB 87, “show me your papers” bill will be up for a vote on the House floor tomorrow! please refer to the ACLU of Georgia fact sheet, http://www.acluga.org/HB_87legislativesummarysheet.pdf, to learn more about how this bill would hurt our state and our communities and why we need to oppose it forcefully!

 

Please take a minute TODAY and tomorrow morning to call your house rep. to ask them to vote NO on this racial profiling, anti-immigrant bill (you can refer to the talking points in the fact sheet). 
Find out who represents you in the GA House here: http://www.votesmart.org/

Please also take a moment to call the Speaker of the House and a few key Republicans:
Speaker of the House David Ralston: (404) 656-5020
Rep. Amy Carter 404.651.7737 amy.carter@house.ga.gov
Rep. Doug Collins 404.651.7737 doug.collins@house.ga.gov
Rep. Christian Coomer 404.656.0109 christian.coomer@house.ga.gov
Rep. Sharon Cooper 404.656.5069 sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov
Rep. Penny Houston 404.463.2247 penny.houston@house.ga.gov
Rep. Mike Jacobs 404.656.0152 repjacobs@comcast.net
Rep. Doug McKillip 404.656.0177 doug@dougmckillip.com
Rep. Rusty Kidd 404.656.0202
Rep. B.J. Pak 404.656.0254 bj.pak@house.ga.gov

Please circulate this alert far and wide!

An Open Letter to Georgia House Speaker David Ralston on HB 87 by Atty Charles Kuck

Leading Immigration Attorney, Charles Kuck gives his analysis of Georgia’s Arizona’s SB 1070 copycat bill, HB 87:  http://boribella.edublogs.org/files/2011/03/An-Open-Letter-to-Georgia-House-Speaker-David-Ralston-on-HB-87-24npsl2.pdf

ACTION Needed on Key Republicans....No on HB 87! Yes to Immigrant Rights!

Thank you to all who responded to the previous action to call the Governor, Lt Governor and House Speaker.  Please continue to pass that action along.  We now need to add calls and emails  to key Republicans who are potentially on the fence.
Remember, the vote on HB 87 and HB 59 is ANY DAY NOW.

Please take 5 minutes to make calls, send emails and spread this action!

What Happens in Arizona, Must Stop in Arizona!

Please take 5 minutes TODAY for immigrant justice and human dignity...and forward this email!
Background:  The GA legislature has introduced several pieces of anti-immigrant legislation, including Arizona copy cat bills, HB 87 and SB 40.  Just this morning, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed HB 87 out of committee, which means a vote on the House Floor is imminent.  HB 59—which would deny public higher education to undocumented students—is also going to the House floor soon for a vote.  We need as many people to make calls, calls, and more calls, as well as emails, emails, and more emails, to ask our elected leaders to put an end to this scapegoating and immigrant bashing.

Call/Email Republicans who might be on the fence.  We cannot assume how they will vote.  Let’s put some pressure on!

“I urge you to vote “No” Vote on the Arizona Copycat, HB 87, and all other anti-immigrant legislation, including HB 59.  These bills are making Georgia look bad in the eyes of the country and the world.  Any legislation that pushes immigrant workers out of Georgia, or denies educational opportunity, will harm our state economically and morally.  As a Georgia resident, I urge you to oppose these bills.”

Rep. Amos Anderson 404.657.8534 amos.amerson@house.ga.gov
Rep. Paul Battles p.battles@yahoo.com
Rep. Tommy Benton 404.656.0177 tommy.benton@house.ga.gov
Rep. Buzz Brockway 404.656.0188 buzz.brockway@house.ga.gov
Rep. Amy Carter 404.651.7737 amy.carter@house.ga.gov
Rep. David Casas 404.656.0254 david.casas@house.ga.gov
Rep. Doug Collins 404.651.7737 doug.collins@house.ga.gov
Rep. Christian Coomer 404.656.0109 christian.coomer@house.ga.gov
Rep. Sharon Cooper 404.656.5069 sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov
Rep. Harry Geisinger 404.656.0254 harry.geisinger@house.ga.gov
Rep. Gerald Greene 404.656.0202 gerald.greene@house.ga.gov
Rep. Rob Hanner 404.656.7859 bob.hanner@house.ga.gov
Rep. Doug Holt 404.656.0152 doug.holt@house.ga.gov
Rep. Penny Houston 404.463.2247 penny.houston@house.ga.gov
Rep. Mike Jacobs 404.656.0152 repjacobs@comcast.net
Rep. Rusty Kidd 404.656.0202
Majority Whip Edward Lindsey 404.656.5024 edward.lindsey@house.ga.gov
Rep. Judy Manning 404.656.7868 judy.manning@house.ga.gov
Rep. Howard Maxwell 404.656.5143 howard.maxwell@house.ga.gov
Rep. Doug McKillip 404.656.0177 doug@dougmckillip.com
Rep. B.J. Pak 404.656.0254 bj.pak@house.ga.gov
Rep. Ann Purcell 404.656.5139  ann.purcell@house.ga.gov
Rep. Lynne Riley 404.656.0188 lynne.riley@house.ga.gov
Rep. Ron Stephens 404.656.5115 quickrxdrugs@yahoo.com
Rep. Wendell Willard 404.656.5125 wendell.willard@house.ga.gov

And don’t forget to call your Representative if you haven’t yet….

You can find your Representative at:  http://votesmart.org/

And They Just KEEP-A-COMIN': Another Anti-Immigrant Bill to be Introduced TOMORROW

This bill is to drop tomorrow; no further info. is currently available. 

Please note that there is already a plan in place to have all counties in GA to enter into S-Comm as soon as the feds can manage such.

As for 287(g), the feds have to be on board for it to happen, regardless of whatever sanctions the GA legislature is to  devise to force localities to enter into it.

SB174

By Senators Bethel of the 54th, Murphy of the 27th, Balfour of the 9th, Hill of the 32nd, McKoon of the 29th and others:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to jails, so as to require all jails to participate in the federal Department of Homeland Security's Secure Communities initiative; to require certain jurisdictions to enter into memorandums of agreement with the federal government under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act; to provide sanctions for failure to do so; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Action Alert on HB 87!!!! What Happens in AZ, Must Stop in AZ!

What Happens in Arizona, Must Stop in Arizona!
Please take 5 minutes TODAY for immigrant justice and human dignity.

Background:  The GA legislature has introduced several pieces of anti-immigrant legislation, including Arizona copy cat bills, HB 87 and SB 40.  Just this morning, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed HB 87 out of committee, which means a vote on the House Floor is imminent.  HB 59—which would deny public higher education to undocumented students—is also going to the House floor soon for a vote.  We need as many people to make calls, calls, and more calls, as well as emails, emails, and more emails, to ask our elected leaders to put an end to this scapegoating and immigrant bashing.

Please take 5 minutes to call and email the people below and urge them to do the right thing.  Our goal today and tomorrow is to get 1,000 calls and emails in.  Can you help us reach this goal?

Thank you for taking action…and stay tuned for more actions to come!

Contact the Governor, Lt Governor and House Speaker.  They all hold a lot of influence in stopping these bills.

Governor Nathan Deal
(404) 656-1776
Email:  http://gov.georgia.gov/00/gov/contact_us/0,2657,165937316_166563415,00.html

 “I urge you to use your leadership as Governor of Georgia to secure a “No” Vote on the Arizona Copycat bills, HB 87, SB 40 and all other anti-immigrant legislation, including HB 59. These bills are making Georgia look bad in the eyes of the country and the world.  Any legislation that leads to racial profiling or pushes immigrant workers out of Georgia, will harm our state economically and morally.  What happens in Arizona must stop in Arizona.  As a Georgia resident, I urge you to stop these anti-immigrant bills and to commit to veto any such legislation that reaches your desk.  Can we count on your commitment to do so?”

House Speaker David Ralston
(404) 656-5020
Email his Chief of Staff, Spiro Amburn: spiro.amburn@house.ga.gov

“I urge you to use your leadership as House Speaker to secure a “No” Vote on the Arizona Copycat, HB 87, and all other anti-immigrant legislation.  These bills are making Georgia look bad in the eyes of the country and the world.  Any legislation that leads to racial profiling or pushes immigrant workers out of Georgia, will harm our state economically and morally.  What starts in Arizona must stop in Arizona.  As a Georgia resident, I urge you to stop these anti-immigrant bills.

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
(404) 656-5030
Email:  http://ltgov.georgia.gov/00/agency/contact_us/0,2688,2199618_87997337,00.html

 “I urge you to use your leadership as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia to secure a “No” Vote on the Arizona Copycat bill, SB 40 and all other anti-immigrant legislation. These bills are making Georgia look bad in the eyes of the country and the world.  Any legislation that leads to racial profiling or pushes immigrant workers out of Georgia, will harm our state economically and morally.  What starts in Arizona must stop in Arizona.  As a Georgia resident, I urge you to stop these anti-immigrant bills. ”

Planning Meeting Called! We Are Taking It To The Streets!!! Come Find Out How You Can Help in the Rally for Truth!!!

Folks,

Given what happened at the legislature today, we know that NOW IS THE TIME to turn up the heat on the legislators.  We need to show our elected officials that the people of Georgia OPPOSE bigotry and racism.  I mean thousands of us, in front of the legislature, in the streets, demanding an END to these bills!

Below are more detailed notes from last week's meeting to plan the
RALLY FOR TRUTH; Marching for dignity -- a mass gathering to stop the Arizona Copycat legislation

The next meeting to plan for the event is this:
Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:00 at the offices of Amnesty International, 730 Peachtree St NE
Please attend! Pass the word!  This is an open meeting & we need all hands on deck! 

Across the country, people are remembering that our power is in our numbers and that taking to the streets (or taking over the capitol) is sometimes necessary to demonstrate to our electeds that they have taken it too far.  We wont tolerate scapegoating, and demand that they stop wasting their time on fear and hate-mongering and instead do their job and propose some real solutions to the problems (jobs!  schools!  transportation!) that everyday Georgians are facing.  Come and join with us to make it happen.

Transcript of Final Hearing of HB 87

9:44 am @boribella: There are a goodly number of HB 87 folks here and very few pro HB 87 supporters. #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislation

9:45 am @boribella: Ramsey opening hearing w discussion of E-verify #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislation

9:48 am @boribella: Discussion is on what bill authors have done to avoid court challenges #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislation

9:55 am @boribella: bill authors removed "reasonable suspition" piece and replaced it w a list of documents they want ppl to carry #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct...

9:59 am @boribella: Ramsey just finished his explanation of changes.   And glosses right over the new acriminal provisions designed (cont) http://tl.gd/91v53c

10:00 am @boribella: Now Abrahams is now asking about section 11.  #HB87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislature

10:01 am @boribella: Ramsey is claiming now profiling not needed as the new section 11 requires that you have specific papers &  if u don't  u will be invstgtd.

10:02 am @boribella: Ramsey now saying that everify is the protection for employers. #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislature

10:03 am @boribella: Abdulsalam is asking about unintentional consequences. Eg the nil on human traffickers.  #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislature

10:04 am @boribella: Ramsey now claiming that harboring shall not b provisig srvcs to cictims of crime but not specific enuff 2 protect shelters who is a victim?

10:07 am @boribella: Oak is now asking about the transporting profound.  Behold committin another ofence.  Churches aren't protected (cont) http://tl.gd/91v9mc

10:09 am @boribella: No other questions?  Abrams gets 1 more question. The furthering illegal preend includes everything!  #hb87hearing #sb1070cypct...

10:11 am @boribella: Now the vote! Therefore also a leg council memo we do not have on this bill written last night! #hb87hearing #GAlegislature

10:12 am @boribella: The bill passes by voice vote all repubs voting for it. #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct #GAlegislature

10:18 am @boribella: Another sad SAD day in #GAlegislature history #hb87hearing #sb1070cpyct estoy pasmaaa. en shock PROFUNDO

10:28 am @boribella: (recap) Rep. Abrams put forth a motion to table, which did not have enough votes to pass. The bill moves on to the House floor. #HB87hearing

10:32 am @boribella: (recap)The House committee just voted YES on #HB 87.  It will now go to the Rules Committee and to the floor for a full vote. #HB87hearing

Couldnt make the hearing but want to help DEFEAT Georgia's Arizona copycat law? Make 5 phone calls RIGHT NOW

Couldnt make the hearing but want to help DEFEAT Georgia's Arizona copycat law?   
Make 5 phone calls RIGHT NOW and let legislators know that WHAT HAPPENS IN ARIZONA MUST STOP IN ARIZONA!

These folks are our FRIENDS, so this call is about supporting them and bolstering them to NOT let the vote go down today without a fight!  Our champions need as much attention as our opponents.  Your call can be short and sweet:

Hi, my name is _____ and I am aware that HB 87 is up for a vote today in you committee.  I am calling to thank you for your opposition to this bill thus far and I am asking that you please continue your vocal opposition to this unconstitutional and discriminatory bill at today's hearing.  We worry that the Chair will aim to push for a quick vote, and hope that, instead, you can ask the necessary tough questions and raise concerns so that other Representatives, the public, and the media can see that this bill will not breeze through uncontested and that Georgia legislators do stand with the many people across the state who oppose this type of legislation.  Please, this issue is worth fighting about.  We thank you!


Yasmin Neal, D 404.656.0265
Roberta Abdul-Salaam D 404.656.0325
Stacey Abrams D 404.656.5058
Stephanie Stuckey Benfield D 404.656.7859
Nikki Randall D 404.656.0109


These 2 representatives are not committed to opposing the bill, so the call would be more of a general "we urge you to oppose this bill that will hurt Georgia's economy and embarrass us in the eyes of the world" message.  See Azadeh's previous msg if you need precise talking points.

B.J. Pak, R 404.656.0254
Sharon Cooper, R 404.656.5069

CALL NOW!!!  Let's get them going into the committee saying "wow, I just got 20 calls - I think we really need to fight this!"
~x.


Xochitl Bervera
Organizer, Trainer, and Media Strategist
404-861-0756
xochitl@mayfirst.org
Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.  Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.  

Differences in new & old versions of HB 87 as delineated by ACLU of GA

line-by-line comparison between the old and the new versions and they are substantially similar; the only discernible changes are:

 

1.      Creation of the state crime of aggravated identify fraud when a person “willfully and fraudulently uses any counterfeit or fictitious identifying information concerning a real, fictitious, or deceased person with intent to use such counterfeit or fictitious identifying information for the purpose of obtaining employment.”
2.      In the section re authority of the police to investigate immigration status, the bill no longer talks about reasonable suspicion that a person is undocumented; rather says that if the person does not produce any of a select set of documents, then the officer can go ahead and investigate.
3.      In re. lawsuits against officials or agencies, allows for a 30 day grace period after the filing of a claim with the official, agency during which the officer or agency at issue can take corrective action and avoid a lawsuit. 
4.      Also authorizes the Attorney General to bring actions against political subdivisions of the state to ensure enforcement of this bill.

So, agree with Chuck that this is even a worse bill than what we were presented with originally.  Let’s gear up for the fight to KILL this bill!

 

Leading Atlanta Immigration Attorney, Charles Kuck on HB 87

Reprinted with the express written permission of Atty Kuck:

My first review of the revised HB 87 reveals, shockingly , that nothing really changed, and it fact, in some respects, it is worse than before.  Frankly, HB 87 still stinks like yesterday’s trash.  It still causes amazing hardship to private employers through it’s unrealistic E-Verify requirements, still violates several provisions of the US Constitution, including the Equal Protection Clause, still creates a problem for folks offering assistance to domestic violence victims, actually does not exempt lawyers from giving advise to undocumented immigrants on their immigration status, punishes U.S. citizen spouses who know their spouse is undocumented, subverts voter intent, still creates a lawsuit bonanza for lawyers against city and county governments, and, frankly, does not do anything to curb undocumented immigration or enforce the laws on illegal immigration to the United States.

Charles H. Kuck Managing Partner Kuck Immigration Partners LLC--The Immigration Law Firm

HB 87 full text

http://boribella.edublogs.org/files/2011/02/HB-87-Committee-Substitute-2-26-21fc9gm.pdf

[HumanRightsAtlanta] Monday! HB 87 "Show Me Your Papers" bill hearing

All,

There will be a (last) hearing of HB 87 Monday in Rm. 132 of the Capitol, 9:30 till noon; per what the Chairman had indicated before, this will be the last hearing at which a vote will be taken and most likely no testimony will be allowed; please note that we still don't have the finalized version of HB 87; it is expected to be handed out at the hearing.

Please try to come if you can; we'll be there with the "What Happens in Arizona, STOPS in Arizona" stickers. Also, if you haven't already written the House Judy Non-Civil Committee members, please do so this weekend and Monday a.m.; and also call Monday a.m.

Watch for an alert with the members' contact info. and talking points for your reference tomorrow.

Together, we can KILL this bill!!!

Dear all,

The time to act is now!

House Bill 87 “show me your papers” legislation will be up for a vote at the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, this coming Monday, 9:30 a.m., Rm. 132 of the Capitol.

Below, you can find a summary of what the bill would do; suggested talking points; as well as contact info. for members of the House Judiciary Non-Civil committee. Please write to them NOW! And call first thing Monday a.m.

Thank you for all you do to ensure the defeat of this racial profiling bill.

Hope to see you Monday!

Azadeh

HB 87 would, among other things:
·         require the police to investigate individuals’ immigration status in the course of an offense, including traffic stops, where there is “reasonable suspicion” to believe that they may be undocumented;
·         give police the power to make warrantless arrests;
·         create criminal penalties for any individual that while in violation of another criminal offense encourages an undocumented person to come to Georgia or transports or harbors them once they arrive;
·         provide additional incentives for localities to enter into 287(g) or “Secure Communities”;
·         allow any “legal resident” to bring a lawsuit against any Georgia official or agency to force them to enforce provisions of the bill; and,
·         require private employers to use the flawed E-Verify database and establishes civil sanctions in case of non-compliance.

 Below, are suggested talking points for when you call/write to the reps:
·         HB 87 is unconstitutional and violates core American values of fairness and equality.
·         HB 87 significantly resembles Arizona’s notorious SB 1070, and if passed, will subject the state to exorbitant litigation costs.
·         HB 87 orders law enforcement officers throughout Georgia to use racial profiling as a tool.  This would destroy trust and divert law enforcement resources away from community policing.
·         HB 87 will hurt state and local economies and lead to a tremendous loss in tourism revenues.  In talking about costs, you can make use of these resources:
o   Immigration Policy Center fact sheet on economic contributions of immigrants to GA: http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/new-americans-peach-state
o   Immigration Policy Center checklist for estimating the cost of Arizona-type legislation: http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/checklist-estimating-costs-sb-1070-style-legislation
o   Center for American Progress report on cost of cancelled conferences and conventions in Arizona: http://www.americanprogress.org/pressroom/releases/2010/11/cost_sb1070_release.html

·         E-Verify databases are loaded with errors.  Businesses that use e-Verify report that 10 -15% of eligible workers are deemed ineligible by e-Verify, and the errors disproportionately affect lawful residents and naturalized citizens.

 Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee

 

Name
District
Office
Email Address
Phone Number

Rich Golick (Chairman)
R-34
218 Capitol
rich.golick@house.ga.gov
404.656.5943

Mark Hatfield (Vice-Chairman)
R-177
404 CLOB
mhatfield@wayxcable.com
404.656.0109
912.283.3820

Charlice Byrd (Secretary)
R-20
608 CLOB
charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov
404.656.0298
404.557.2218

Roberta Abdul-Salaam
D-74
612 CLOB
roberta.abdul-salaam@house.ga.gov
404.656.0325
678.489.2047

Stacey Abrams
D-84
408 CLOB
staceyabrams@gmail.com
404.656.5058
404.378.9434

Alex Atwood
R-179
401 CLOB
alex.atwood@house.ga.gov
404.656.0152
912.265.5515

Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
D-85
512 CLOB
stuckey@mindspring.com
404.656.7859
404.964.7025

Doug Collins
R-27
109 Capitol
doug.collins@house.ga.gov
404.651.7737
770.983.2223

Christian Coomer
R-14
404 CLOB
christian.coomer@house.ga.gov
404.656.0109
770.383.9171

Sharon Cooper
R-41
436 Capitol
sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov
404.656.5069
770.956.8357

Bobby Franklin
R-43
401 CLOB
bobby.franklin@house.ga.gov
404.656.0152

Yasmin Neal
D-75
604 CLOB
yasmin.neal@house.ga.gov
404.656.0265
678.656.6589

B.J. Pak
R-102
601 CLOB
bj.pak@house.ga.gov
404.656.0254

Matt Ramsey
R-72
401 Capitol
matt.ramsey@house.ga.gov
404.656.7146

Nikki Randall
D-138
404 CLOB
nikki.randall@house.ga.gov
404.656.0109

Ed Setzler
R-35
501 CLOB
ed.setzler@house.ga.gov
404.656.0177
404.630.8452


Azadeh N. Shahshahani
National Security/Immigrants' Rights Project Director
American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia
1900 The Exchange SE, Suite 425
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-303-8111

 

Live Tweet Transcript of HB 59 Hearing 2/15/11

3:14pm  In hearing on #hb59 #GAanti-Dreambill
3:15pm Chairman Rice opens by saying immigrants are "welcome" to higher education #hb59
3:16pm Chairman Rice says he's personally committed to the educational advancement if immigrants who are                here legally #hb59
3:17pm  Mentions Jessica Colottl as an impetus to the writing of this bill#hb59
3:19pm  #hb2 did not address higher education
3:20pm  Chairman says all #hb59 does is adds to the list of "public benefits"
3:22pm  #Chip Rodgers just walked in
3:23pm  Rice says undocumented students would be taking the "spot" of anyone here legally
3:24pm  Ashe asks how long it would take for info from SAVE to upload once a student enters his/her status   info
3:24pm  He responds "seconds" #hb59
3:25pm  Rice has DA KING to speak on the behalf of #hb59
3:26pm  The other bill crafted says that the intent of the bill is simply fairness.
3:27pm  Says SAVE database would ensure that only those who qualify would benefit from these public benefits (Rodgers) #hb59
3:28pm  Balfour now speaking using the term "illegal" quite blatantly
3:29pm  Talking abt a soldier who got home from Ft. Benning who couldn't take advantage of his acceptance to Gainesville College bc an "illegal" took his place #hb59
3:31pm  Balfour saying that #hb59 necessary bc the bd of Regents didn't go far enough in restricting admission to "illegals" to GA's top 5 univ.
3:31pm  DA King standing behind us
3:33pm  Balfour asked who is qualified to review a student's residency status at any university
3:33pm  Balfour says, "that question is so simple I’ma let my assistant answer it." walks off
3:34pm  The question is abt the costs the affidavits the SAVE syst would incur
3:35pm  Rep Long says state can't pay for these affidavits
3:36pm  Students would be accepted & enrolled until found to be undocumented. Then they'd be dumped! #hb59
3:37pm  Rep. Long asks if schools would have to staff up to undertake the systematic overhaul the SAVE syst would cause. #hb59
3:37pm  Another lawmaker asks if TEG dollars, which go to private schools, could be marked "only for legals" #hb59
3:38pm  Answer is "no" #hb59
3:40pm  Chairman says the committee will take some kind of action today on this bill #hb59
3:41pm  Chancellor of Univ of Ga system talking now. Using term "illegal". Black man. Smh #hb59
3:42pm  Says bd of Regents has taken no position on #hb59 & they're not in the immigration business nor are they structured to be such
3:42pm  Says their capacity is NOT being stressed by an overcapacity of undocumented students
3:43pm  Says they only found 501 undocumented students & they ALL are paying out-of-St tuition which more than pays for their education
3:44pm  Making distinction btwn undocumented & illegal students. #hb59
3:45pm  Not liking the way he's drawing that distinction. No need for it. Now we're going to make a hierarchy of statuses that are not "permanent"?
3:47pm  Detailing now the steps the bd of Rgnts took in October to address the matter of status.
3:47pm  Says some schools use the Federal Aid system of verification, & others use SAVE
3:49pm  Says this discussion should be had in the context of world competition. GA is only 1of 3 states w more than 1 top Univ. #hb59
3:50pm  Says only one state in the nation bars undocumented students from matriculating in that state's universities. Warns of reputational risk.
3:52pm  Rep Long asking if there is a box to check for status on GA Univ syst. Applications #hb59
3:53pm  Chancellor points out that ATTENDANCE to a public school is NOT a public benefit. Homeland security says attendance not a public benefit 2
3:54pm  Says GA parents pushing back on how much paperwork that is now being required to prove citizenship. #hb59
3:55pm  One Rep asks Chancellor to provide committee w the rulings that show attendance is not a public benefit.
3:56pm  Chairman just said the committee wants to avoid ppl "making similar statements"!!!!!! CAN'T DO THAT!!!! that's what these hearings ARE FOR!!
3:57pm  Prof from W.Ga speaking on behalf of undocumented students who pay more than documented residents. #hb59
3:58pm  Says her classes have been full before, but NOT bc undocumented students have filled them up.
3:59pm  Her name was Dr. Cook. Eva Cardenas of GADREAMERS talking now. That's my girl! #hb59
4:00pm  Talking abt how NAFTA made ppl like her economic refugees. Wants committee to understand that. PREACH, baby girl!! #hb59
4:01pm  Correlating Jim Crowism w #hb59. Has GA learned anything from it's past?
4:02pm  Points out how the 501 undocumented students in the GA Univ syst are more than worth their academic weight in gold (cites statistics).#hb59
4:04pm  Says bill will only create a second class system. Warns that the children of the students will remember... #hb59
4:04pm  Audience claps & Chairman says no clapping. WTF
4:05pm  Tony Harris Bosselman, educator, says educator "shocked" & "appalled" at #hb59
4:06pm  "We are ALL better off the more we educate." #hb59
4:07pm  She says "to you, they are an abstraction. To ME they are human beings. They only want to better themselves." #hb59
4:08pm  "they humble me every day of my life." #hb59 "we want ppl in schools & not on the streets w no option. I've not heard a rationale. Who wins
4:08pm  Roberto Gutierrez given 2 minutes to speak.
4:10pm  Points out how undocumented students have no access to becas like HOPE. They are in no way a drain on public benefits syst. #hb59
4:11pm  "don't kill my dream nor that of my friends, either." #hb59
4:12pm  Lt. Colonel says he feels like he's been put back in the 50's & 60's. Says "u make a profit off these students? So why don't you want them?”
4:13pm  Did a study of taxes paid by undocumented residents & reads off major pts. #hb59
4:15pm  “Why can't the ppl in the lowest tax brackets go to school?” He wants undocumented students to actually pay in-state tuition. #hb59
4:18pm  The Lt Colonel is a white man. Wasn't told upon approaching podium that he had a time-limit like Roberto had.
4:18pm  One committee member needs a lesson on how undocumented ppl pay INTO tax system & don't get to take OUT. says he doesn't "see it" cause he's
4:18pm  A CPA & a tax-preparer. LAWD #hb59
4:22pm  Azadeh says limiting access to higher education is short-sighted. These very ppl may become citizens one day & it's not likely they leave GA
4:28pm  Rev. Myers-Brown cuts chairman's attempt to limit her time off! YESS! says she's here to represent what God has to say abt imm. Issues
4:30pm  Maria Duarte corrects chairman on the pronunciation of her name as he gives her a time-limit. GO girl! #hb59
4:32pm  Says bd of Rgts has already tackled this issue. Leave immigration to Feds. #hb59
4:33pm  Everyone let's out a collective sigh as DA King takes mic. Intros himself as the "chief sweeper" given no time-limit. #hb59
4:33pm  Says he was taught that justice is equal application of the law. & he's got great sympathy for a child brought here not if his own choice
4:34pm  Says he doesn't want to be the one to tell the fam of a "legal" immigrant fam that their kid's spot @ school was taken by someone who is
4:35pm  "deportable at any time." WTF?!! #hb59
4:44pm  Rep Long talks abt Jim Crowism. Crowd goes wild. Ppl shouting "That's RIGHT!" #hb59 asks King what these students would do on the streets
4:46pm  King cuts Rep Long off!!! #whiteprivilege
4:48pm  Rep Knight asks King abt (CPA) to be enlightened abt "the taxes". WTF?! How are you in office??? #hb59
4:49pm  King educating Knight on how an undocumented ppl get tax id #s.#hb59
4:50pm  King says that undocumented ppl have no right to be classified the same way real hard-working and legal immigrants. WTF?????!!!!!!!! #hb59
4:52pm  Rice says he got a letter from his pastor asking where grace & mercy were in this bill. He said sometimes grace & justice collide.#hb59
4:52pm  Rice said grace & mercy were allowing undocumented students to matriculated k-12 & to benefit from the public health syst. LORD JESUS!
4:52pm  Rep Knight motions to pass #hb59
4:53pm  #hb59 just passed!!! Ppl shouting "ROLL CALL!"
4:58pm  I just bumped into DA King. & Eva's crying. I feel like crying! just hugged Gina.
5:15pm  #hb59 passed out of COMMITTEE, it's not law yet. Disappointment abounds, nonetheless. Ok... Sadness
5:23pm  #hb59 now goes to Rules where they could push it onto a floor vote or where it could sit til the end of session.
5:24pm  Even if it makes it to the floor it could be ignored til the end of session. #hb59 #fightsnotdoneyet

Georgia Rural Urban Summit Capitol Days 2011

Capitol Days 2011

Georgia Rural Urban Summit compiles a running calendar of the days when there is an organization planning to be at the Capitol. If your group has a Lobby Day, Legislative Reception or other special event scheduled for the Capitol during this legislative session, please send info tolobbywatch@aol.com 

Date/Group/Contact – as known at this time

January 

Jan. 18 – By the People Day (General Advocacy Training ACLU-GA) lskinner@acluga.org 

Jan. 21 – Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (annual Policy Conference  www.gbpi.org 

Jan. 24 – United Way (legislative reception)  amintz@unitedwayatlanta.org 

Jan. 25 – By the People Day (General Advocacy & Immigrant Rights) lskinner@acluga.org 

Jan. 25 – Interfaith Children’s Movement (legis. Kickoff mtg) www.interfaithchildrensmovement.org  

Jan. 26 – Georgia Women for Change (Capitol Briefing) www.gwomen.org 

February

Feb. 1 - By the People Day (General Advocacy Training ACLU-GA) lskinner@acluga.org

Feb. 3 – Stop Violence Against Women Day (Ga Comm. on Fam. Violence) Jennifer.thomas@gaaoc.us 

Feb. 7 – Catholic Archdiocese Lobby Day   www.archatl.com/ 

Feb. 8 - By the People Day (General Advocacy & Voting Rights) lskinner@acluga.org

Feb. 8 – Georgia State AFL-CIO (legislative reception)  daniel@georgiaunion.org 

Feb. 10 - Interfaith Children’s Movement (lobby day) www.interfaithchildrensmovement.org  

Feb. 10 – Ga Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (legis. Reception) www.gcapp.org 

Feb.15 – By the People Day (General Advocacy & Education Day) lskinner@acluga.org

Feb. 15 – Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty  www.gfadp.org

Feb. 15 – Unlock the Waiting List Advocacy Day  www.unlockthewaitinglists.com 

Feb. 16 – Planned Parenthood Young Leaders a.nicholeenglish@gmail.com 

Feb. 22 - By the People Day (General Advocacy & Immigrant Rights) lskinner@acluga.org

Feb. 24 – 13^th Annual Disabilities Day (Rally & Advocacy) www.gcdd.org 

March

March 1 - By the People Day (Women’s Reproductive Health Day) lskinner@acluga.org

March 3 – National Muscular Sclerosis Society Day   kyle.pinion@nmssga.org 

March 8 - By the People Day (Anti-Racial Profiling Day) lskinner@acluga.org

March 9 – March is For Women Day (Feminist Women’s Health Center) www.feministcenter.org 

March 15 - By the People Day (Criminal Justice Day) lskinner@acluga.org

March 22 - By the People Day (General Advocacy Training) lskinner@acluga.org

March 29 - By the People Day (General Advocacy & Immigrant Rights) lskinner@acluga.org

March 31- Caesar Chavez Day (Rally & Press Conf.) www.galeo.org 

* And each Wednesday, beginning Jan. 26 will Be Women in the Halls / Our Voice Beyond Choice held at 9:00 am Coverdell Legislative Office Building room 306 hosted by Planned Parenthood of Georgia Education Fund and Feminist Women’s Health Center  a.nicoleenglish@gmail.comPPGA or a.k.rogers78@gmail.com fodderellwc@gmail.com FWHC