Last year's HB 56 gave the state's reputation a terrible black eye. This year's HB 658, the rewrite and revision, delivered another black eye and kick to the ribs for good measure.
The revision does nothing to tell industry recruiters Alabama is welcoming and tolerant.
It's hard to see how Alabama's immigration law does anything toward promoting economic growth, at least economic growth in Alabama. HB 56 and its evil brother HB 658 give economic recruiters in other states all the ammunition they need to keep industries and businesses from locating in Alabama. They present Alabama as a closed, intolerant, unwelcoming state.
Bentley could have vetoed HB 658 and called for repeal of HB 56. All Alabama needs is E-Verify to make sure workers are eligible to hold jobs. But Bentley missed another chance to do right, and Alabama will continue to pay the price.
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/05/our_view_alabama_gov_robert_be.html
One of the attorneys challenging Alabama's law, Mary Bauer of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said she was disappointed that Bentley had signed the bill and given up on making more changes for now.
"The governor has been struggling to get votes for his amendments, but to give up after one day is dismal," she said.
She said some of the revisions passed by the Legislature make the bill worse than the original enacted in 2011. "Alabama is distinguishing itself as the worst of the worst," she said.
http://www.necn.com/05/18/12/Ala-governor-thwarted-on-immigration-law/landing_politics.html?&apID=ae808dfc0aac4306a332e3ca4f485177
"They present Alabama as a closed, intolerant, unwelcoming state." - Couldn't have said it better myself.
Scott Beason is the republican state senator who pushed HB 56 and n ow HB 658. Below is a video of him speaking to the Alabama tea party about HB 56.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Vy1umo1j-r0
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