Runner anti-illegal bill shot down
Antelope Valley Press
A State Assembly committee voted down legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, aimed at stopping illegal immigrants from being employed under state contracts.
The Assembly Committee on Business and Professions killed Runner’s bill, Assembly Bill 1615, on Tuesday. The committee’s seven Democratic members voted against the bill, while the three Republicans did not vote.
The bill would have required companies with state contracts to ensure they employ only workers eligible for employment in the United States.
“It is simply a disgrace,” Runner said in a statement. “This is the right thing to do. While the federal government fails to act on the immigration problem, our state should take the necessary steps to ensure that we are doing our part to address the No. 1 priority with Californians.”A Field Poll released Tuesday reports that 77% of Californians think illegal immigration is at least a somewhat serious issue, and 63% “advocate imposing stiff penalties on employers and individuals who hire illegal immigrants” – up from 60% who supported similar actions in two polls last year.
Runner’s bill would have fined employers between $500 and $1,000 for each failure to report illegal immigrants to the Department of Homeland security.
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