← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Buster
Thread ID: 8551 | Posts: 4 | Started: 2003-07-29
2003-07-29 14:03 | User Profile
Davis backs license bill Some see the endorsement as a play for Latino voters' support.
By Aurelio Rojas -- Bee Staff Writer Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Gov. Gray Davis is vowing to sign legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses -- a move that could energize Latinos to oppose his recall but anger other voters. "You put that bill on my desk, and I will sign it in a heartbeat," Davis declared at a labor union barbecue in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The pledge, which Davis repeated in Fresno at the weekend Mexican American Political Association's convention, was met with thunderous approval by the largely Latino audiences. But pro-recall leaders accuse Davis, who vetoed a narrower driver's license bill last year, of putting politics ahead of policy concerns.
"He's doing everything he can to pander to special interests, and I suspect we will see a reversal on a number of policy issues in the coming months," said Chris Wysocki, a spokesman for Rescue California.
The license measure -- SB 60 -- is now on a fast track and could be sent to the Democratic governor soon after the Senate returns from its recess Aug. 18, according to its author, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles.
Davis' veto of a version of the current bill cost him the backing of the 24-member Democratic Latino Caucus during his re-election campaign.
As recall threats mounted this year, two core constituencies -- labor and Latino lawmakers -- joined ranks to urge him to reconsider.
The bill was broadened to provide licenses to more immigrants, as union leaders argued that getting workers to their jobs is critical to the state's economy.
Davis spokesman Steve Maviglio denied the governor is pandering to Latino voters. He said proponents have been working to address security issues raised by Davis in last year's veto message as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Davis said then that he wanted immigrants who obtain driver's licenses to clear criminal background checks, language the current bill doesn't yet provide.
"If you look at his remarks over the past four months, he has said, 'I want to sign this bill, I intend to sign this bill,' and so now we're just getting down to the nitty-gritty," Maviglio said.
Cedillo on Monday defended his measure as "sound public policy." The East Los Angeles Democrat contends it would not only make roads safer for California motorists but improve national security.
"This is not immigration policy; this is highway safety policy," Cedillo said. "I don't anticipate a (voter) backlash because at the end of the day, if they're concerned about national security, we address those concerns."
Under the measure, illegal immigrants who apply for licenses would have their photos taken and thumbprints recorded along with their physical description and address.
They also would have to submit proof of their identity and insurance, pass the driving and written tests, and comply with all other licensing requirements.
The measure is far more inclusive than the driver's license bill Davis vetoed last year.
Under last year's bill, illegal immigrants would have qualified for licenses only if they first applied for legal residency from immigration officials, had been screened by a criminal background check, and could show they worked at least 15 months in California.
That measure was opposed by labor groups on grounds it was too restrictive. This year's bill has support from a broader base of groups, including unions, the insurance industry and some business leaders and law enforcement officials.
By signing the measure, Davis would be extending an olive branch to the state's burgeoning Latino electorate.
Eighty percent of Latino voters supported Davis in 1998, but a large number sat out his re-election last year after the governor vetoed the driver's license bill.
Polls show a majority of Latino voters support the recall, but by a smaller margin than non-Latinos.
As he fights for his political life, Davis has retreated to his base and defined the recall race as a stark choice between what he says is his progressive agenda and a conservative one.
In keeping with that strategy, Democratic leaders in Latino communities contend the same conservative forces that put Proposition 187 in place are backing the recall. The 1994 measure sought to deny illegal immigrants public services but was largely gutted by the courts.
Latino recall opponents also are invoking the memory of the disputed 2000 presidential election in Florida.
"Clearly, California is a Democratic state, and we don't want (the 2002 gubernatorial) election stolen by people who don't reflect the mainstream of California," Cedillo said.
Pablo Curiel, a board member of the Mexican American Political Association, said Davis struck a responsive chord when told the group he would sign the license bill.
"It can't hurt him, if he wants our support," Curiel said.
2003-07-29 18:17 | User Profile
Buster,
The sad thing is Davis has done more to fight the "Wetbacks" than many GOPs. He vetoed this bill the first time. I hope he does win. The GOP is just plain evil, they will sell us out every time. If the GOP does wins in Ca; I can say one thing for sue; there will be no "conservative agenda" put forth!
**California Gov. recalled: More GOP nonsense! GOP abuses recall system. [url=http://forum.originaldissent.com/index.php?showtopic=9630]http://forum.originaldissent.com/index.php...?showtopic=9630[/url] **
2003-07-29 18:30 | User Profile
No argument there. I left the GOP a looooooong time ago.
Speaking of the Gov, a self-described "white nationalist" has entered the California race. Dubious though I am, here is the link:
[url=http://www.americanpatrol.com/CALIFORNIA/ELECTION/2004/GUZZARDI/GuzzardiForGovernor030725.html]http://www.americanpatrol.com/CALIFORNIA/E...rnor030725.html[/url]
2003-07-31 23:18 | User Profile
I have read many articles by Joe Guzzardi, He's a common sense guy who absolutely hates the way the state of CA. and the country are beign overrun by illegal aliens. From depressed wages, failing school systems, overwhelmed medical infrastructure, and destroyed quality of life for Americans he has called it like it is for many years. If I still lived in CA I would campaign and vote for this guy. He's no big fan of NAFTA, GATT, and globalism either.