Compare and Contrast
Today, Governor Pawlenty released the details of his plan to fight criminal activity committed by illegal immigrats in Minnesota. The Governor's proposal and press release can be found here.
The coverage by our two local newspapers were interesting in their divergence. You can read the PiPress story here and the Strib story here. The PiPress actually reported what was said at the press conference. The Strib, living up to it's nickname "Pravda on the Mississippi" felt obligated to editorialize in a "news" story.
"According to a widely disputed study issued by the Pawlenty administration last month, illegal immigrants number 80,000 to 85,000 in Minnesota and cost taxpayers up to $188 million a year. The study did not attempt to measure the economic or tax contributions of undocumented aliens, however."
The only people who seem to have been disputing the study (besides the DFL) have been our friends at the Strib - most vocally Nick Coleman the bloggers best friend. Law enforcement, on the other hand has validated a lot of the claims that were made in the Pawlenty Administrations report.
"Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh said such an effort would help local police departments. His department estimates that the majority of felony crimes in Worthington are committed by undocumented immigrants.
"If this keeps going like it has, law enforcement will be stymied,'' Oberloh said."
To give the governor credit, he is proposing a couple of new ideas that should help law enforcement. The one thing that I know my friends on the right are going to have problems with is the proposal (as if it is something new) to fine employers that hire illegal immigrants! Shouldn't we be doing that already????
Bravo Governor Pawlenty, for tackling a tough issue going into the campaign season. I know that this could not have been an easy choice, but it was necessary!
posted by The Lady Logician at 4:16 PM permalink
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