PREPARING FOR THE 2009 TEXAS LEGISLATURE

In the Texas 2007 legislative session, conservative Texas House members filed 30 immigration
bills all intended to stop the harm that illegal immigration is doing to our state. Out of all those
bills, only one was passed into law. Those same Texas House members are already working on
the issue for the upcoming session.  Click here for more...

State Representative Leo Berman, Texas House State Affairs Committee Hearing on Illegal Aliens, April 21, 2008, Click here for more...

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=39116&ref=rellink

Texas officials endorse enhanced driver's licenses
By Michael Martinez Technology Daily January 24, 2008

     The top cop in Texas has endorsed a plan for the state to develop enhanced driver's licenses that can double as border-crossing credentials.
     Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Tuesday ruled that the cards proposed as part of the state's high-tech licensing plan would satisfy federal law. Abbott was asked for his opinion about the initiative by the director of the Department of Public Safety.
     The Legislature recently authorized the plan to develop the license, which will be designed to meet nationwide standards for driving credentials recently released by the Homeland Security Department, as well as specifications for another initiative to speed cross-border travel. Several other border states are moving to issue licenses that would satisfy both the so-called REAL ID Act and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
     Abbott said in his opinion that enhanced licenses would be legal under federal passport laws if they conform to the technology, security and operational requirements of the travel initiative, which mandate that the cards be tamper-proof and machine-readable.
     The ruling came as many states are considering the costs and consequences of developing driver's licenses to comply with REAL ID. Homeland Security earlier this month released the final regulations for the statute.

     A group of Texas Conservative State Representatives are making plans right now to continue the campaign to stop the harm illegal immigration is doing to our state that they began in 2006. They are the members of the Texas Conservative Coalition, www.txcc.org.

    One of those representatives is Leo Berman of Tyler who intends to introduce the Texas version of Oklahoma's HB 1804 that has been so successful. At the latest estimate, thousands of illegals have left Oklahoma as a result of this legislation.
    The Coalition has as part of their agenda on illegal immigration the following:

• Combat Illegal Immigration - Mexico is a valued neighbor and trade partner, but the flood of illegal aliens must end.

• Strictly enforce proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal residency to receive taxpayer funded benefits.

• Safeguard our elections by requiring the state's chief elections officer to verify the citizenship status of every person who registers to vote and require a photo ID when voting.

• End "sanctuary cities" for illegal aliens by requiring local officials to enforce all existing laws.

• Require DPS and local law enforcement to be trained to work with federal authorities to protect citizens against crimes committed by illegal aliens.

Representative Wayne Christian (Center) – President
Representative Linda Harper-Brown (Irving) Vice President
Representative Ken Paxton (McKinney) – Secretary/Treasurer
Representative Leo Berman (Tyler)
Representative Warren Chisum (Pampa)
Representative Dan Flynn (Van)
Representative Bryan Hughes (Mineola)
Representative Phil King (Weatherford)
Representative Jodie Laubenberg (Parker)
Representative Geanie Morrison (Victoria)
Representative Larry Taylor (Friendswood)
Representative Corbin Van Arsdale (Tomball)
Representative Bill Zedler (Arlington)

Texas Legislation

Texas Legislature meets next in 2009.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_7603895

Police will be urged to join immigration enforcement
    By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
    Article Launched: 12/01/2007 12:00:00 AM MST

AUSTIN -- During the next year, lawmakers will look for ways to encourage local police to become authorized immigration enforcement agents.

House Speaker Tom Craddick on Friday finished publishing a list of issues he wants legislators to study before the 2009 legislative session. Among several border security and immigration issues to be studied is a federal program referred to as 287g.