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Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ind. Law - Editorials today on SB 590 and HB 1255
Two editorials today on SB 590, the immigration bill, and HB 1255, the "English-only" bill:
- "Immigration bill punishes students, state" is the headline from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette editorial today that begins: "Whatever is driving the anti-immigration sentiment in the Indiana General Assembly – whether it’s a sincere concern for the state’s economic well-being or a belief that undocumented residents should be punished – it threatens to set the state back by decades."
- "Destructive to Hoosiers, offensive to visitors" is the heading to the Indy Star editorial. Some quotes:
Indianapolis has spent billions of dollars in recent decades to build a thriving convention business that has welcomed visitors from many different countries. State and local officials have traveled the world to entice international businesses to locate here. Business and academic leaders have channeled their energy into persuading top-flight professionals and fast-growing businesses to move to Central Indiana. Gov. Mitch Daniels has emphasized the necessity of eliminating obstacles that hinder businesses' ability to thrive in Indiana.
Yet, the General Assembly in recent days has sent a strong message, although perhaps unintended, that international workers are less than welcome in Indiana, and that fear and suspicion outweigh Hoosiers' desire to grow and thrive in a global economy.
The Indiana House earlier this month passed a bill that would ban, with several exceptions, state communications in languages other than English. House Bill 1255, sponsored by state Rep. Suzanne Crouch, R-Evansville, is a solution that is very much in search of a problem. * * *
[T]he governor's office, while acknowledging that Daniels may sign the bill if it arrives on his desk, asserts that the legislation would have little practical effect. * * *
Senate Bill 590, authored by state Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, would go even further in labeling Indiana as a state that does not welcome international visitors or residents. * * *
Indiana can't hope to market itself successfully as an international destination for visitors, skilled workers and businesses while at the same time adopting laws that push them away. Will Indiana live up to its reputation for hospitality? Or will the state erect walls that hurt all Hoosiers, native and transplants alike?
Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 13, 2011 02:19 PM
Posted to Indiana Law