Burning Atlanta

This is too funny. For the first time, EVER, to my knowledge, there's a state study that shows illegals are a benefit. And the really funny part is... NOT really... if you look at their bottom line.

Star-Telegram

AUSTIN — Undocumented immigrants pumped nearly $18 billion into the Texas economy last year and sent $420 million more to Austin in taxes than they received in state services, a report released Thursday by the state comptroller’s office shows.

The report, believed to be the first ever to calculate the cost of illegal immigration to a U.S. state, also found that local governments pay far more to provide services to the undocumented than they recoup in taxes, fees and other revenue sources.

I don't think it's true that it's the first report to calculate the cost of illegal immigration to a U.S. state. I think there was one on California, Minnesota and, possibly a couple of others. I may look it up later. Another aspect that cracks me up about the report, they try to make a claim that if all the illegals took off tomorrow they would suffer a loss of x dollars. Excuse me? But what normally happens when workers leave? Does the job not get done or do others step in to pick up the slack? Look at what happened in Stillwater, (or was it Stillwell?) Ga. Legal workers came in after the illegals left. Also, at the very bottom of their report, pg. 20, it says  "While state revenues exceed state expenditures for undocumented immigrants, local governments and hospitals experience the opposite, with the estimated difference being 928.9 million for 2005." Translation: We didn't include that number because it shows they're a net loss and that wasn't the reason for doing this report.

If you want to read the whole pdf go here and click on their link.

P.S. Ok, I found this, a 1994 study in California by doing a quick Google search. So the "First" claim is BS. I may look for others.