Texas House approves 'sanctuary cities' ban

[onestepforward]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7557744.html

AUSTIN — After taking the unusual and controversial strategy of cutting off debate, the Texas House late Monday voted 99 to 47 in favor of a ban on "sanctuary cities," despite objections that the measure was unnecessary and will increase racial profiling against Hispanics.

House Republicans voted to end debate by calling for an immediate vote on the bill, shutting down debate on amendments after four hours of sometimes heated discussion.

Democrats roundly criticized the tactic almost as emotionally as the underlying legislation, and faulted House Speaker Joe Straus for allowing the maneuver.

-snip-

The bill, given emergency status by Gov. Rick Perry, would prohibit government entities from instructing law enforcement personnel not to inquire into the immigration status of persons detained in a criminal investigation. Opponents say it would lead to racial profiling and diminished trust of law enforcement in the Hispanic community.

-snip-

I really appreciate how hard many Dems. are working, even when totally outnumbered. Rep. Jose Menendez has been kickin' ass.

I wonder if the passage of this bill will help motivate Latino voters to get out the vote?

[sonias]

1. I watched until 11:30 last night

It was the most depressing floor fight I have ever watched. Representative Jessica Farrar broke down and cried at the microphone when she spoke about her mother. I cried along with her.

Representative Eddie Luico III gave an account of how he felt being thrown up against an airport terminal wall at 15 because he was "attempting to fly while brown". He didn't even speak Spanish at 15, so he was especially scared when he could not respond to the agent who kept speaking to him in Spanish. He said he also cried with fear when his Dad met him.

And Representative Harold Dutton gave one of the most eloquent speeches I have ever heard him make. He compared the unfounded fear of the majority party to the way the Egyptians treated the Israelites from the bible. He was extremely calm and reserved. We learn nothing from our history or our stories - we make the same mistakes over and over.

And what was one of the most sickening moments of the night to me - Representative Leo Berman mocking the Democrats by saying that this was not Nazi Germany where the authorities are going to routinely ask for your papers. And he disgustingly keeps repeating "I do not have a racist bone in my body." Yes you do Leo. You absolutley fucking do. :puke:

Best tweets of the night came as a response to that Berman comment.
Maybe he has is an exoskeleton. and That's because you're a spineless coward, Leo.

Man if this doesn't get the Latino vote up, then we are already slaves with no will to fight. :cry:

[plumbob]

2. There's a reason why vermin rhymes with Berman.

Ugly is as ugly does. Why is that non-Texas fucker allowed in my beloved state?

[sonias]

4. Why does this pathetic little man have so much hate in his heart?

I agree with you. Leo isn't even from Texas - and his district is not even that Hispanic. A minuscule 5% of his district is non-citizen. But his hatred is obviously welcome in Texas by the other haters who allow him to get away with his behavior and even condone it.

He's just a hater - plain and simple. Hate is the only thing coursing through his veins.

[onestepforward]

8. The personal stories would have made me cry too.

I'm an "honorary Latino" by marriage. I've seen on several occasions how my husband is treated by police by simply driving or walking "while brown." It is disgusting. Now, it will only get worse.

A Spanish-language news outlet will be interviewing him next week on something unrelated. It's funny, but we both thought at the same time that he should end the interview by encouraging people to get out and vote, damn it! He'll do it.

[sonias]

3. House, still simmering, OKs sanctuary city bill in late-night vote

Postcards from the Lege blog AAS 5/10/11
House, still simmering, OKs sanctuary city bill in late-night vote


Texas House members approved the controversial “sanctuary cities” immigration-related bill just before midnight.

The vote on House Bill 12, sought by Republicans and declared a priority item by Gov. Rick Perry, was 100-47 along party lines.

In the end, Republicans resorted to a brute-force approach that they earlier had tried to avoid after similar moves on Saturday brought bitter discord to the chamber. For much of the day Monday, members of the two parties had retreated into private to try to find a way to allow for a limited debate on the measure.

After hours of negotiations, the debate on HB 12 began about 9 p.m. Republicans were willing to allow the debate to take place. But just before midnight, the bill’s author, Carrollton Republican Burt Solomons, moved to end the debate — with about 30 amendments still pending, according to House leaders — and lawmakers passed the bill.

Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, and Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, joined Menendez in the racially charged discussion. Oliveira said the bill would give blanket permission for racial profiling by law enforcement officers — even at municipal utility districts and universities. Alvarado said it would be unfair to pass the measure because it would amount to an unfunded mandate to counties and cities that will be asked to enforce federal immigration law.

The continuation of the tyranny of the majority. The republicans drunk on power, have the numbers to shove down any damn piece of legislation they want. :mad:

As Rep. José Menéndez said last night " I hope you realize that 9 million Hispanics will take it personally". I for one do, Rep. Menéndez!

Next up HB400 - the war against school sizes and teachers (legislation that would allow school districts to cut teacher pay, impose furloughs and increase class sizes.)

[Xela]

7. RE: Motivation of Hispanic vote

Everyone's been waiting for the sleeping giant to wake up...for years.

I dare guess this will not make a sudden/immediate impact on our motivation.

Xela (un Texicano de muchos, and I vote :) )

[onestepforward]

9. Thank you for voting!

I'm guessing you're right about no immediate impact on voting, but I'm hoping that will change after this bill goes in effect. It will make a negative impact.

I'm in Houston, a "sanctuary city," and I hope our Mayor can do something about this. Last I heard, the police didn't want the extra immigration job added onto to theirs. The way I see it, it will only be abused by the ones who already harass people of color.

[sonias]

10. I just wish it would happen much quicker than it will - the waking part

The Latino/Hispanic vote may still be too young to change things right now. Many are under 18. The wave is coming however, and this racist, profiling legislation will likely impact the way the youth see things. Whether you're here legally or not - the majority of us Latinos, do not like this legislation.

Ok so you do have Representative Jose Aliseda (R) who said this:

"My skin is brown, I am Hispanic, and I am not afraid of House Bill 12," he said. "I've been driving Mexican for all those years and I have never suffered racial profiling."

Well good for you Aliseda. I'm sure a lot of people could say the opposite. Aliseda has a nice "I got mine, you get yours!" philosophy of life. Isn't he just a wonderful human being. :sarcasm:

Here's what's really funny. The Aliseda quote above comes from the http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7557744.html">Houston Chronicle story that identifies him as "State Rep. Jose Alisedo, R-Brownsville". You see they didn't even get his name right or the correct city he's from. It's Aliseda with an "a" not Alisedo with an "o" and he's from Beeville per his http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=35">district page.

No harm right Alidseda, at least they know you're Hispanic right? Hopefully some police officer won't make a mistake like that and profile you. :shrug:

The latest presentation from the man who used to be the State demographer Steve Murdock says the wave is coming. Lots in that story and the video is quite long.

Texas Tribune 3/7/11(Video story)
Steve Murdock on the Coming Hispanic Majority
At the Tribune's New Day Rising symposium on Feb. 28, former state demographer and former U.S. Census Bureau director Steve Murdock talked extensively about demographic change in Texas.

Texas Tribune 12/22/09 (Video story)
Latinos are expected to become the majority demographic group in Texas by 2015, according to some estimates. But they're still not voting in big numbers at the ballot box.

:kick:

[sonias]

5. R's Will Rue the Day they Passed Sanctuary City Bill

The Texas Observer 5/10/11
Dems: R's Will Rue the Day they Passed Sanctuary City Bill

Latino, Asian and African American Democrats lined up to testify late Monday night against HB 12, known as the "Sanctuary City" immigration bill. Some cried, some raised their voices and some tried to reason with Anglo Republican legislators intent on passing the bill that allows police to check for citizenship status. It took six hours of emotional testimony last Friday then another 10 hours Monday before the bill passed along party lines 100 to 47.

Rep. Jose Menendez told a story about how his father, a legal immigrant from Cuba, was detained by police in South Texas because he didn't have his immigration papers with him. Brownsville Democrat Eddie Lucio III was thrown against the wall and handcuffed by a Border Patrol agent at an airport when he was 15. "They didn't ask anyone else for their citizenship," he said "I was in shock when it happened." Another Rep. Jessica Farrar said her mother was pulled over by the police because she was Hispanic. "She was flustered and humiliated," Farrar said, tearing up. "And I don't want anyone else to go through that."

Republicans were unmoved by the personal stories, however. For them it was a red meat issue they could bring home to voters clamoring for an illegal immigration fix. Throughout the debate, Republican state Rep. Burt Solomons, author of the bill, worked to differentiate his immigration bill from the controversial Arizona immigration legislation passed last year. He explained that the Arizona bill requires police to check for citizenship status. His bill prevents cities and state agencies from prohibiting it. That way they can't become "sanctuary cities" for illegal immigrants, according to the bill's supporters. "My bill doesn't mandate anything," Solomons said. "It just creates a uniform policy so that cities can't opt out of federal immigration laws."

Earlier in the session, police chiefs from across the state spoke out against the bill during a House committee hearing saying that it would alienate immigrant communities and encourage rogue officers to hassle immigrants. Civil rights groups warned that it would create more racial profiling. “We already have driving while black in Texas,” said Democratic State Rep. Rene Oliveira. “Now we’ll have driving while Mexican.”

While this may not be as egregious as Arizona SB1070, it's as much as the Rs felt they could impose. They fear losing power so much that they would imprison anyone that they feel threatens them.

My one wish is that I live to see the blow back. Oh please, please make it so. Let there be something good come out as a result of this horrible nuclear meltdown of this session.

:kick:

[sonias]

6. They're back to hearing amendments on HB12 on 3rd reading

The bill is going to pass again so let's see how long the tyrannical ruling party lets the debate go on today.

:shrug:

[TxVietVet]

11. The Latinos may be a key in the next election

if the Democrats can find some good candidates to put on the ballot.

It's not good when a party like the conservanazis have total control.


One party rule is going to be very bad for Texas and the country. For that's what the conservanazis want... ONE PARTY RULE.

"We got the best democracy money can buy." Big Bux Doug. :kick:

[sonias]

12. Where are the Latino/Hispanic candidates in this state?

For the love of God, there should be hundreds of them in a state this big!

We need to find those charismatic potential candidates and recruit them to run. The Rs are making headway and elected several new Latino State Representatives in 2010. Unfortunately they're super crazy conservative nuts like Jose Aliseda. Plus add turncoat Aaron Pena who is voting against his district. If you don't know about Pena he switched parties from D to R right after the election. He ran as a Democrat in a heavily Hispanic district that would have never elected a republican. He represents one of the poorest counties in Texas - Hidalgo. Pena is an Opportunist and COWARD.

There are many, many good folks at the Lege right now that run in very safe districts from the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas areas. Here are some of them. Rep. Raphael Anchia (Dallas), Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer (S.A.), Rep. Mike Villareal (S.A.), Rep. Jessica Farrar - (Houston), Rep. Eddie Lucio III - (RGV) Rep. Verionica Gonzales (RGV).

So far the only recruit we've heard about is the General maybe making a run for the U.S. Senate Seat - retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez.

Many of us are not impressed with that candidate either:
Democrats may have found a Senate candidate

I want to see us fight back. We need a contender!

[TxVietVet]

13. As many as Hispanics in Texas, we can't find any.

WTF? Do they assume things will straighten out with the one party system? I'm having a hard time with Texas Democrats. What the f*ck happened to them? I'm curious. I know the Dem Party Distric Chair here and he's up against the vote packing here. A Democrat has a snowball's chance in Hell in Polk County.

So, what's your take? Hispanics and others don't take political science in university? Are they ALL happy the way things are? Or, are they discouraged by what they see? The one party system which is slanted heavily against minorities.

Just curious.

[sonias]

14. What happened to Texas

I'm sure you've heard of or read the book by Thomas Frank "What's the Matter With Kansas" about voters being duped into voting against their interests - economically and socially. You could make the same study about Texas. In fact I wish someone would do a book on Texas politics and where the hell things went stupid. Some of us could point to 1984 when bushie the minor beat Ann Richards for Governor. That would certainly be one bad point of our downfall.

Texas is ground zero, where scum bags like Karl Rove and Tom DeLay cut their political teeth polishing divisive wedge issues. And it is so damn embarrassing that our voters keep buying into that whole phony message. God, guns and gays! Texas voters are so easily distracted and easily influenced by sound bites. True or not - they need a quick sound bite. And the word these days is "conservative". Everyone wants to be conservative like the word is on par with being right with God.

Hell I can't explain it any better myself. This is oversimplification, but we obviously have a big messaging problem.

We've never been a big voter turnout state anyway and it gets progressively worse. We were 50th in voter turnout in 2010. And even in 2008 an exciting Presidential election year we were 46th. Our state political powers that be like uneducated and unmotivated voters. That way they only have to influence or buy very few of them. So voting is not easy and they make it harder every year. This year they passed voter photo ID - like voter impersonation was such a huge problem. :eyes:

We're missing a big piece of the civic lesson of how important it is to vote. Having families instill that value in their kids. Take them to go with them when they vote. Watch election returns etc. Whole generations of voters are simply missing at the polls.

We need huge amounts of money for voter education. I think paying a whole lot of singers, actors, athletes etc to make commercials pushing voting would be a good idea. Make voting cool. I'm not sure how we pay for it but honestly people will vote for American Idol and they can't wait for an opportunity to do that. We need to make them understand that these elected officials are so much more important in their day to day lives than American Idol contestants.

:shrug:

[onestepforward]

15. Latinos will be the key.

I was inspired by your and Sonias' conversation and I found this interesting article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/can-democrats-win-in-texas-in-2012/2011/04/18/AF1ROh5D_blog.html

-snip-

Given all of that history, what makes Democrats think that 2012 will be any different?

The answer is the continued — and massive — growth of the state’s Hispanic community coupled with Republicans’ inability nationwide to win over that critical voting bloc.

Two thirds of all the population growth in Texas over the past decade came among Latinos and nearly four in every ten residents of the Lonestar State are now Hispanic.

That’s good news for Democrats as Hispanics — even in Texas where they were far more of a swing group than in other states thanks to Bush’s outreach to them — are moving more and more to the Democratic side in recent elections.

In 2010, Bill White carried Hispanics 61 percent to 38 percent over Perry. And in 2008, President Obama won the group by an even wider 63 percent to 35 percent margin.

He goes on to talk about the problems:

-snip-

The problem for Democrats, however, is that Hispanics still do not vote in anywhere near their population numbers and are still not nearly as effectively organized as they are in other states with large Latino communities.
-snip-

The other major question facing Democrats in Texas is just how much money they are actually willing to commit to the state. Texas not only has a number of costly media markets in which to communicate — Houston, Dallas — it is also a giant state by land mass, making voter contact and turnout efforts very costly.

-snip-

You're right, one party rule, especially when they're bat shit crazy, will turn Texas into a wasteland.