Lane County public safety tax

KEZI 9--


Lane County commissioners held a workshop on the public safety income tax and came to a consensus on several issues including putting a cap on the proposed tax. The public safety tax which would raise millions of dollars a year for public safety could be on the November ballot.

This tax [similar to Multnomah county's I tax] would be the only tax of its kind in Oregon.

" At the Lane County District Attorney's office staff are spread thin.
"This office has the highest case load per Deputy D.A. in the state," said Chief Deputy Alex Gardner. "We're 65 percent higher than the state average." "

Lane County commissioners are looking at the public safety income tax to solve the problems in Lane County, however, the commission is still wrestling with whether to get voter approval before an ordinances in place.
which they know is an automatic no!

" there is no limit on our ability to levy an income tax," said Commissioner Bill Dwyer. "State law and federal law currently has no law on our ability." "

the board will hold two public hearings on the income tax. The first will be held on June 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the second will be held on June 28 at 6:30 p.m.. Both will be held in the public service building.

Dunkin Donuts takes steps in fighting illegal immigration

Boston Globe--


"We follow the law! This company hires lawful workers only." Reads the sign at Dunkin' Donuts.

Dunkin' Donuts is requiring all of its franchises to participate in the Basic Pilot Program, which allows employers to verify a worker status using an online database from the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland security.
Dunkin' Donuts chose to participate in the program partially because of complaints from customers.

Dunkin' Donuts said they got involved because of "the growing awareness of the hiring and employment of undocumented workers and the difficulty faced by employers for screening new hires within the confines of the law," said Stephen horn, chief legal officer for Dunkin' Brands Inc. in an e-mail.
The program is intended to remove the guesswork from documentary review.

of course not everybodys likes the program.

" There's just so many ways for immigration information to be misclassified, so until there are the right safeguards for a person to review the data that's in there, we're very concerned," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. ``The bigger point here is that we can pour all kinds of money and effort into enforcement like this, but unless we fix the immigration system we're never really going to fix the problem "

kudos to Dunkin' Donuts. Hopefully, more businesses will follow this example.

The aftermath of the Senate's immigration bill

Arizona once again takes action against illegal immigration by approving a bill on Thursday that would criminalize the presence of illegal aliens in Arizona. The bill would set fines for businesses that continue to employ illegal aliens after receiving warnings.

"The plan would resurrect a proposal to criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants by expanding the state's trespassing law to let local authorities arrest those who sneak into the country. "

the first offense would be a misdemeanor punishable to six months in jail and subsequent offenses would be a felony carrying a sentence of at least three years in prison, in addition, the bill would require businesses to fire employees who social security numbers are invalid and penalties as high as $5,000 and the suspension or revocation of business licenses if the employer fails to stop hiring illegal immigrants. source Newsmax

as some predicted after the passage of the Senate bill, illegal immigration is on the rise according to Representative James Sensenbrenner, on NBC's "Meet the Press,"...

thoughts of amnesty is actually increasing the flow of illegal immigrants across the border as we speak," Sensenbrenner said, "in reaction to the high numbers, Mexican officials have redeployed some of their security forces into the desert on the Mexican side of the border to prevent Mexicans trying to cross the border from either starving or being dehydrated."

source News Max

And when you think that things couldn't get any crazier about selling out America to the illegal immigration, there is talk that we have to get permission from Mexico in order to build a fence?!?.
is that nuts or what? [excuse me Mr. burglar, may I please buy a lock for my front door to keep you out?]

"To think that we would build a fence without any conversation or consultation with Mexico -- that doesn't make sense," Senator Dick Durbin told "Fox News Sunday."
Durbin explained: "good fences make good neighbors."

that may be true in theory, but it still doesn't prevent the kids from climbing over and jumping into the swimming pool.

The amendment that was slipped into the Senate bill by Senator Chris Dodd mandates consultations with Mexican officials before construction begins.

So if you don't think that these people are not selling out America, read the following closely...

" CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT -- Consultations between United States and Mexican authorities at the federal, state, and local levels concerning the construction of additional fencing and related border security structures along the United States-Mexico border shall be undertaken prior to commencing any new construction, in order to solicit the views of affected communities, lessen tensions and foster greater understanding and stronger cooperation on this and other important issues of mutual concern "

Source News Max

Fortunately, not everybody in the Senate feels that the passage of amnesty for illegal aliens is a good thing. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) stated in a press release on May 25, 2006,

"today, the U.S. Senate has the largest illegal alien amnesty in American history. It is bad for our national security, it is bad for the American workers, and it sends a very bad message to those waiting legally for a chance at the American dream...."

Tancredo's web page

At least in my opinion, Arizona has the right idea. The first thing you have to do is secure the borders and get control over the situation. Then, and only then can you even begin to start talking about changing the immigration laws.

My hope is when the dust settles, that the people in our government who have shown their true colors by selling out America, will be voted out of office.

We are being invaded, and we have welcomed the invaders with open arms and slapped those in the face on this Memorial Day those brave men and women who have fought and died for our freedom.

Have a safe Memorial weekend

Salem Police will hold Hispanic community forum
Statesman Journal--


the Salem Police Department will hold its monthly Hispanic community conversation forum May 31.

"El Departamento de Policía de la Ciudad de Salem presenta una programa para aumentar la comunicación entre la comunidad hispana y los agentes de policía en nuestra comunidad. Las pláticas son un esfuerzo de parte del Departamento de Policía de Salem para mejorar el entendimiento entre las culturas.
El program es miercoles de 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Salem, 585 Liberty St. SE en la Salón Anderson.
El programa, conocido como las "Pláticas con la Policía," ocurre cada mes con distintos temas acerca de los servicios proveídos por la policía de Salem y las políticas y los procedimientos del departamento. Igualmente como importante, las pláticas incluirán maneras para mantener una comunidad segura para todos.
El tema para este mes es acerca de las drogas en Salem.
-- Thelma Guerrero "

I remembered that there was a lawsuit brought over issues like women's night to bring equality and fairness to men. the complaint was that it was sexual discrimination to allow women in for free and not men without having a night also set aside for men. Similarly, does the Salem police also hold the English version of this drug awareness forum for English only speakers?

Senate passes immigration bill

CNN--

Washington --
In a 62-36 vote the U.S. Senate approved in immigration bill that would toughen security at the Mexican border and grant many illegal aliens a path to citizenship.

The Senate bill provisions include...
security -- authorizes security measures including the addition of a 370 mile fence and authorizes President Bush to send 6000 national guardsmen to the US-Mexican border. In addition, bars convicted of felonies or three misdemeanors from becoming legal residents or citizens I hope that they take into account all those stolen and fake social security numbers... I think that is a felony
punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants with fines up to $20,000 and three years in prison.
Of course the measure would create a guestworker program that would allow workers to work in the United States for three years and be eligible for a three-year extension. This be limited to 200,000 per year.

The bill would establish a three-tiered path to citizenship program, which would include the following...
1 -- illegal aliens could gain their citizenship after working for six years, learning English and paying a penalty and back taxes. no surprise about the taxes
2 -- illegal aliens here between two and five years would have to return to an entry point and apply for a guestworker program.
3 -- workers here less than two years would have to return home yeah, like that's going to happen

The Senate also declared English the national language of the United States and also declared English as the "common and unifying" language of the United States.

What does Mexico's President Fox think about this?
"Mexico believes it will take more than just enforcement, building walls, and I really solve the challenge posed by the immigration phenomenon," Fox said Wednesday in Seattle, Washington, cordoned the Associated Press.
just like taking advice from the burglar who you caught in your home offering advice on how you could have kept him out of your house.

Three more cases of mumps in Lane County, another 21 suspected

KEZI--


Public health officials in Lane County have confirmed three more cases of the mumps in the region, bringing the number of confirmed cases to six. Health officials are waiting state lab results on another 21 suspected cases.

To the confirmed cases involve people who work at the McKinsey limit Hospital Center in Springfield, two students at the University of Oregon in addition to two committee members.
Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands that is spread through coughs or sneezes, by talking closely with someone who is infected and by transfer of saliva.

" The disease, once common in childhood but now all but eradicated by early vaccinations, re-emerged this winter as the nation's worst outbreak in 20 years spread from Iowa across the Midwest. "

Springfield police chief to ask city budget committee to approve a Hispanic outreach coordinator position

register guard May 6, 2006 --


Thelma Barone knows firsthand how difficult it can be for some immigrants to understand the United States' criminal-justice system.
Barone, a University of California Los Angeles graduate who immigrated from northwest Mexico to Southern California at the age of 21 works as a community service officer for the Springfield Police Department. The bulk of her duties involved acting as a liaison between the department in the city's Hispanic population.

" Nowadays, it's Barone's job to teach Spanish speakers how the system works, and ensure they get the attention they need from local law enforcement. "

According to the 2000 census, it is estimated that 3600 people or 6.9% of the city's population is Hispanic.

Barone, was hired in 2003, the balk of her salary and benefits comes from grant funding from the state. To fund the position, the budget committee would have to come up with about $70,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

" "Whenever I go out, they always have so many questions for me," Barone said. "A lot of times, they have assumptions of what might happen in a certain situation that aren't always correct. Part of my job is getting Latinos to overcome ideas that police are here to keep them down and keep them scared. I try to teach them that police are here to protect them." "

"It's frustrating to see the lack of services in Spanish," Barone said.

"We don't set up walls," Fox said in Spanish. "

United Press International--


Mexican President Vicente Fox is telling U.S. audiences during a visit that building border fences isn't the solution to the problem of illegal immigrants.
"We don't set up walls," Fox said in Spanish. "It is not with fences we are going to solve this problem, but hand-in-hand ... We are neighbors, we are friends, and we are partners."
Fox canceled a news conference and would not reply to media questions, the newspaper said.
no surprise there
His visit comes as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on its version of an immigration reform package. The House bill, passed in December, is more stringent, although both chambers have agreed on building border fences.
[a spin on Charleston Heston, "DON'T make my people go!"]

I wonder how we would feel as a country if President Bush went around to all the other countries and encouraged our people NOT to come home

Senate votes to double employer fines for hiring illegal immigrants

KVA L.--


The Senate has voted to tack on an amendment that would fine employers of the $20,000 for EACH illegal immigrant a higher.

The process involves checking Social Security numbers and the status of all new hires through Homeland security once it gets funding to expand its electronic screening system.

Opponents say the verification system is still years away from implementation, however, Illinois Democrat Barack Obama calls it "probably the single most important" step to reduce the flow of undocumented workers.
A vote on the full immigration bill it is expected later in the week.