INDIANAPOLIS — A bill to crack down on companies that hire illegal immigrants was sent to a summer study session Thursday night in the Statehouse.
A House-Senate conference committee met Thursday evening to discuss a possible compromise between the House and Senate versions of the bill. But committee chairman Sen. Tom Weatherwax, R-Logansport, said lawmakers still had many questions about the effects of the proposal.
“We just don’t have a lot of the answers,” he said.
Weatherwax said it would be better for lawmakers to send the issue to a summer study committee — and possibly take action next year — than to pass a bill with consequences they don’t fully understand.
Friday is the deadline for the legislative session to end.
Bill sponsor Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, was frustrated with the delays, saying they were an effort to kill the legislation.
“It’s a battle between the will of the people and the will of the lobbying community,” Delph said. “It’s a shame. I hope people wake up and listen to the will of the people.”
Rep. Scott Pelath, one of the conference committee members, said earlier Thursday that the Senate should simply agree with the House version rather than try to strike a new compromise.
“If the Senate wants an immigration bill, they already have one at their disposal,” said Pelath, D-Michigan City.
Pelath stopped short of saying he won’t sign off on any proposed compromise, but repeated that the “pre-eminent option” would be for the Senate to agree to the House bill.
Bill supporters say most Hoosiers want something done on illegal immigration because the federal government is not acting on it. Several business organizations oppose the bill, saying Indiana’s economy could suffer if the proposal passes, hurting both illegal workers and American citizens.
About 55,000 to 85,000 unauthorized immigrants live in Indiana, according to 2006 estimates from the PEW Hispanic Center.
Local News
9:28 p.m.: UPDATE: Immigration bill delayed
- Local News
-
-
Super Bowl host city hopes its experience is a game winner
Indianapolis has won rave reviews from a tough crowd of out-of-town fans and media skeptics smitten by both the city’s hospitality and its compact size. But is a chorus of accolades enough to land another Super Bowl?
-
'Teen Mom' Amber Portwood pleads guilty
A Madison County circuit court judge accepted a plea agreement Monday that would allow drug-related charges to be dropped against MTV “Teen Mom” Amber Portwood.
-
Report: Hoosier Park leaves economic mark on county
Tourism has become big business in Madison County and Hoosier Park & Racing Casino is the star attraction, concludes a recent report from the Anderson/Madison County Visitors & Convention Bureau.
-
Woman victim of strong-arm robbery
A woman was the victim of a strong-arm robbery in the 2500 block of Fletcher Street in Anderson on Monday evening.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 7
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, based on Madison County Jail records.
-
What's Where: Feb. 7
Local meetings and events are planned Tuesday.
-
Warm today, but winter returning
The start of the week will again be warmer than average and dry. Then winter returns to central Indiana by the weekend.
-
Poll question for Monday, Feb. 6
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom of the homepage on the right side.
-
Suits Filed: Feb. 6
Lawsuits filed in Madison County courts through Jan. 26, 2012
-
Football fans pack Buffalo Wild Wings to watch Super Bowl
It was the big game day many had been waiting for, and while it went on just an hour away from Anderson, many who couldn’t make it filled the Buffalo Wild Wings to watch.
- More Local News Headlines
-
