Congressman Darrell Issa, well known for his funding of the California recall election, may be willing to fund a ballot measure restricting services to illegal aliens. He is waiting to see if he has enough support and has not made his mind up yet. Letters mailed out from the Rescue California Leadership Committee are urging support. Issa is said to be disappointed that the recent Intelligence Reform Act didn't restrict states from issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

Sacramento Bee

"He's been looking very seriously at whether or not there's a viable state option for the state to take action - including the (proposed) proposition," [David] Gilliard [an Issa consultant] said.

"He hasn't decided anything definitely - but he's seriously looking at it," Gilliard added.

...

Likened to Proposition 187 - the 1994 measure that would have denied public benefits to illegal immigrants but was gutted by the courts - the new measure has reignited the debate in the state.

The constitutional amendment would bar the Legislature from granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, and cut their access to professional or commercial licenses and higher education subsidies.

The California Republican Assembly, a Southern California-based group, launched the signature drive. The group has until Feb. 21 to collect more than 600,000 signatures of registered voters to qualify the measure for the June 2006 ballot, or earlier, if a special election is called.

Gilliard said Issa is reaching out to voters to decide whether the deadline can be met.

"He's not worried about popular sentiment - he's just worried about the practicality of whether ... this vehicle is the one that's viable because of the timeline."

The proposed ballot measure doesn't go far enough, but any reform of illegal immigration is a good thing in my opinion.

For more on proposition 187 see my entry "California Looking At It's Own Proposition Restricting Illegal Aliens From Services".

To contact Congressman Issa and let him know you support this you can go to his website.

You can also visit the California Republican Assembly website.

For further information on the proposed ballot measure see Save Our License

Story tipped by: Lonewacko