Steve Drazkowski, Greg Davids and Tom Emmer on Immigration

by: JacobGrippen

Sun May 02, 2010 at 20:16:36 PM CDT

On Arizona's new immigration bill
Rep. Steve Drazkowski:

"I think (the Arizona bill) is a great idea. You know, I wish I would have thought of it."

Rep. Tom Emmer (GOP endorsed candidate for MN Governor):
The Arizona immigration law is

"a wonderful first step"

There are now a few other states (including Ohio, Missouri, Maryland and Nebraska) that are considering immigration legislation in the wake of Arizona's, none of which are on the Top 10 list of states with the largest population of undocumented immigrants.
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/as...

So, back here in Minnesota the Winona Daily News picks it up again:
http://winonadailynews.com/new...

But Arizona's provision has generated backlash from President Barack Obama to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to about 2,500 people at a rally Saturday in Minneapolis. And Republicans concede they'd need more seats in the Legislature before an Arizona-style bill could pass here - Drazkowski said there was virtually no chance his bill would pass this session.

Local DFL lawmakers including Rep. Gene Pelowski and Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes said state lawmakers should focus on balancing the state's budget rather than delving into immigration issues better handled at the federal level. Additionally, illegal immigration in Minnesota is not nearly as large an issue as it is in states such as Arizona, they said.

So, why spend time and money on a bill that we really don't need right now when we have a budget problem that needs to be fixed?  And what is motivating Representatives Drazkowski and Davids to introduce this piece of legislation that they even say isn't going to see much life this session?

What does GOP Gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer think about an Arizona Immigration Bill right here in Minnesota?  If Arizona was a wonderful first step, what does he think the GOP is stepping in here in Minnesota?