WASHINGTON, DC — At a time of soaring unemployment, the Indiana State House of Representatives is blocking legislation that would help prevent employers from filling jobs with illegal aliens. Senate Bill 580, which the Senate passed by a 37-13 vote, requires state and local governments to use the federal E-Verify system and provides incentives for Indiana businesses to do the same. The bill would also allow the state to punish companies that knowingly hire illegal aliens, and even suspend their business licenses. Gov. Mitch Daniels has pledged to sign the legislation if it is sent to his desk.

E-Verify is a federal program that allows employers to electronically verify that new hires are legally authorized to work in the United States. The program is free to employers and has a 99.6 percent accuracy rate. Over 100,000 employers already use the program and new employers are signing up at the rate of 2,000 per week.

SB 580 has been assigned to a House committee chaired by Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago) who has indicated that he will not allow a vote on the measure. Despite the fact that Indiana’s unemployment rate has reached 9.2 percent, and Elkhart has the dubious distinction of having the nation’s highest unemployment rate at 18 percent, Rep. Harris is blocking common sense measures that would help keep jobs for legal residents. “No, I don’t think this session. I really don’t think this is the year we should do that,” said Harris.

“Rep. Harris and the Indiana House do not think this is the year they should act to protect Indiana jobs?” asked Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). “Indiana has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, parts of the state have already reach Depression era unemployment levels, and the state is spending $1 billion a year on unemployment benefits. What, exactly, would it take for Rep. Harris to defend Hoosier workers?”

SB 580, which was sponsored by State Senators Mike Delph and Dennis Kruse, was drafted with the assistance of the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), FAIR’s legal affiliate. IRLI is the nation’s foremost authority on drafting state and local immigration enforcement legislation that does not infringe on the federal government’s authority over these policies.

“Enacting SB 580 will not magically solve Indiana’s unemployment crisis. What it will do is help ensure that remaining jobs go to U.S. workers, including jobs that may be created as a result of the economic stimulus package,” said Stein. “The Indiana House of Representatives has an obligation to implement whatever common sense measures it can offer to help struggling families in Indiana make it through this difficult period. This is the time to pass SB 580,” Stein concluded.

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country’s largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana’s Teacher’s Retirement Fund (TRF) and the state’s Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF) would no longer do business with companies who invest in countries providing support to terrorist groups if Sen. Ron Alting’s (R-Lafayette) legislation becomes law this session. A Senate panel will consider the bill Thursday.

Alting’s divestment legislation – Senate Bill 562 – would require PERF and TRF retirement fund administrators to contact companies with business dealings in nations suspected by the State Department of sponsoring terrorism and request that they cease those business ties. Alting’s bill would prevent PERF and TRF from investing in companies unresponsive to requests.

“Our state employees trust these retirement funds to invest their hard-earned dollars. This legislation helps PERF and TRF assure clients their money is not contributing to terrorism,” Alting said. “Senate Bill 562 sends a clear message Hoosiers will not support violent acts of terrorism that claim many innocent lives.”

Alting said his bill is one way Indiana can help with the Global War on Terrorism.

“Some nations and multi-national companies are thought by experts to supply terrorist groups with the funds, weapons, materials and secure areas they need to carry out their depraved plans,” Alting said. “As a state, we are insisting these businesses end their ties to suspect companies and nations by withdrawing PERF and TRF investments.

According to Alting, the Senate Committee on Appropriations will meet Thursday in Room 431 at the Statehouse beginning at 8:30 a.m. To watch the proceedings online visit http://asx.ihets.org/senate431/live.asx.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) says Senate District 7 residents could help direct federal stimulus dollars to local infrastructure projects by submitting their ideas online.

Hershman said most of Indiana’s $4.3 billion in federal stimulus is meant for roads, Medicaid, schools, unemployment and other programs.

To make best use of the monies, Gov. Mitch Daniels charged the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs and Indiana Association of Regional Councils with the task of directing the use of funds from the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity and/or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“To achieve long-term and short-term economic development in Indiana, a survey was created to help state and local leaders generate a comprehensive list of potential infrastructure projects, which will be used to maximize the state’s use of federal dollars,” Hershman said.

Constituents can fill out the survey online by Wednesday, Feb. 25 at http://www.bsu.edu/cber.

Hershman said the survey will take less than 10 minutes per project and it is not a grant submission process. However, he said survey participants will benefit from a thorough review of projects, which will help identify all funding streams available through several government sources.

For project specific questions, please contact your community liaison from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs at (800) 824-2476 or click on http://www.in.gov/ocra/files/Community_Liaison_Map_11.17.2008(4).pdf.

You can also contact the Indiana Economic Development Corporation at (800) 463-8081 or click on http://www.in.gov/iedc/files/IEDC_Business_Development_Regions_1.22.09.pdf.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) participated in the Indiana General Assembly’s annual “Organization Day” yesterday and said he is eager for the 2009 legislative session to begin.

Alting said he planned to focus on helping the state maintain a balanced budget, protect education funding, permanently cap property taxes and continue job creation efforts.

“We have many exciting opportunities ahead to improve our state,” Alting said. “I look forward to the upcoming session and building upon some of the momentum created in previous sessions.”

Alting joined in the affirmation of Sen. David Long (R-Fort Wayne) as President Pro Tempore and Jennifer Mertz as secretary of the Senate.

This will be a long session for the Indiana General Assembly, which begins in January and runs through the end of April. Indiana Supreme Court Justice Brent E. Dickson presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office. Each year, Organization Day officially marks the first day of the upcoming legislative session. It is usually ceremonial, highlighted by new members being sworn into office.

Alting encouraged constituents to stay in touch during the session by signing up for electronic legislative updates at http://www.in.gov/s22.

Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Sen. David Long (R-Fort Wayne) earned a “solid vote of confidence” today as his colleagues officially selected him to remain as Senate President Pro Tempore through 2010.

Official selection of Long as Senate leader came during “Organization Day” activities in the Indiana General Assembly as legislators prepare for the 2009 session. Long said he appreciated the continued support and was eager to get the new session started.

“I look forward to working once again with senators on both sides of the aisle to help the state maintain a balanced budget, protect education funding, permanently cap property taxes and continue job creation efforts across Indiana,” Long said.

Colleagues credited Long with helping shepherd historic property tax reforms and other key bills through the legislature during his first two years as Senate leader. He was also heralded for his open and fair leadership style and successes in professionalizing staff and modernizing technology.

Caucus members also reaffirmed Jennifer Mertz as Principal Secretary of the Senate.

Mertz was chosen by Senate leaders in September to fulfill the remaining term of longtime Senate Secretary Mary Mendel, who resigned on Aug. 22 to accept a position with Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs.