Burning Atlanta

The problem I have with some of these laws is they're tough sounding but have little bite. Also, some aren't going into effect for years. Even though Georgia passed some workplace laws against the hiring of illegals it has two flaws. 1. Who and how vigorously is that going to be enforced? 2. To my knowledge it doesn't affect all employees in the state, it targets those that do work for the state. The best thing Georgia did was to require an immigration check for everyone arrested for a felony or DUI but why not everyone arrested regardless of the offense?

Thank you, Mississippi

The bill, which now awaits the signature of Gov. Haley Barbour, would require employers to use an online database to verify that a worker is a legal U.S. citizen before hiring them.

Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula, authored the bill, which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday in a 113-8 vote after fellow freshman Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula made the presentation. The Senate had unanimously approved the bill.

Lawmakers said the Mississippi Manufacturers Association lobbied behind the scenes against the bill. Opponents say it places too large a burden on employers to do the checks and could result in employee shortages in industries that rely on immigrant workers. Gee, what a shock. Those that have been  cheating the system don't want anything to change. GO UP ON WAGES!!!

The bill would allow small companies with under 30 employees until 2011 to comply with the rules, while companies with more than 250 employees would have to comply this July.