April 28, 2008 8:19 PM
I first want to say thank you to Legislator Brian Beedenbender for taking time and sharing his opinion with us. It is the first of what I hope to be an "open-door" policy at Long Island WINS to increase the dialogue about immigration on Long Island.
Last week, I was on Channel 12's "Long Island Talks" call-in show about 1105 with Legislator Beedenbender and we had an open and honest discussion. During one of the commercial breaks I suggested that he watch the video clips from our Riverside event, just to see a different perspective. The following day I had a better idea, I invited Brian to the blog to express his opinion.
While I am very happy that Legislator Beedenbender took me up on my offer; I and many others strongly object to 1105.
Newsday wrote two editorials on their opposition to this bill, referring to 1105 as pandering. Matt Crosson, President of the Long Island Association, the largest and most influential business association on Long Island, has spoken out about the negative effects this bill will have on Long Island's economy.
At a time when our Legislators need to be doing everything within their power to help our economy, support our small business owners, and home owners we are forced to watch as our Legislators debate the merits of this economically crippling bill. Suffolk Life recently pointed out the onus of verifying a worker's legal status has now moved from the federal government to an employer; and it is "patently unfair" if the federal government failed, to expect businesses to be accountable. Employers have no way of knowing whether a document is a fake or authentic and with over 15,000 licensed contractors in Suffolk County, expecting them to receive training to tell the difference is unreasonable. They are contractors, not immigration or forensic experts.
And of course the industry this most adversely affects is construction. This bill threatens one of our most vulnerable economic sectors - housing - and tries to idle one of our strongest economic engines - the economic contributions of immigrants. We could see home construction costs rise and delays in repairs, as contractors now have to bear the burden of immigration enforcement and possible shortages of workers.
Legislator Beendenbender stated "This bill is not about race, it is about greed. It is about recognizing our laws, and the fact that not paying taxes on your employees or hiring illegal workers is a violation of those laws." Unfortunately, if Legislator Beendenbender had attended our panel discussion about the economic consequences of anti-immigrant legislation he would have learned that laws aimed at a specific demographic often have crippling economic collateral damage.
IR 1105 will create an unwelcoming atmosphere for Latinos that contribute a net benefit of $201 million in taxes to our local economy and 52,000 new jobs on Long Island. Will contractors now be more reluctant to hire Latinos for fear of retaliation from Suffolk County? Will Latinos now face increased scrutiny for new jobs regardless of their immigration status? History tells us yes.
To say that this isn't an anti-immigrant bill and will not have a discriminatory affect is to live with blinders on. It may not be the primary intention, but the perception too many in the Latino community will be that they are no longer welcome in Suffolk County. Many who are US citizens could worry about finding work if this bill is passed. They can show proper id, but wonder if contractors will be more hesitant to hire anyone Latino in fear of retribution from the County.
Long Island Wins is completely in favor of leveling the playing field, but we believe the way to do that is with practical solutions….not band-aids that are unenforceable. If Legislator Beedenbender really is interested in leveling the playing field he should focus on enforcing minimum wage and overtime laws that Suffolk County's working families so desperately need.
With high gas prices and rising food costs, the average Long Islander is really feeling the pinch. We should all be working together to find practical local solutions to immigration that work for everyone.
Long Island Wins thanks Legislator Beedenbender once again for his contribution to our blog. However, we will stand with Newsday, Suffolk Life, the Long Island Association and practical Long Islanders in opposing this bill.