The Florida Senate originally planned to meet on Saturday -- possibly to consider a controversial immigration crackdown that has drawn throngs of protesters to the state Capitol this week.
But then Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who wants to make changes to SB 2040, cancelled the Saturday session, prompting questions as to whether the chamber would have enough votes to pass a revamped version of the bill. Of course, it's impossible to get a head count when Senate leaders have not released their updated proposals.
Anything considered too hard line would be a non-starter for members of the Miami-Dade delegation and likely most Democrats. A couple of Republicans from outside of Miami-Dade have also said they are troubled by the ideas mentioned by Senate leaders.
On Friday, Sen. Anitere Flores -- the Miami Republican who initially carried the bill before Haridopolos gave it to Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales -- said immigration is riddled with conflicting interests.
"This is a severely complicated, complex issues where there are hundreds of different people that have hundreds of different opinions. There are employment provisions. There are law enforcmenet provisions. There are business owner provisions," she said. "And there are just individual human emotions. There are political considerations. All those considerations are all there. To try and make that into a bill that you can get a majority of votes on in the House and the Senate is a problem."
--PATRICIA MAZZEI AND MARY ELLEN KLAS
Complicated Issue? If this is complicated then she needs to quit.
Posted by: Bill W. | April 29, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Try applying the rule of law and see if it is complicated.
Posted by: George Fuller | April 30, 2011 at 08:16 AM
COMPLICATED? Legal or illegal! Sounds simple to me. If this bill does not pass without strong E-Verify language as described in HB7089 then Mike Haridopolos U.S. Senate run is over. We the People will make sure of it!
Posted by: Watching You | April 30, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Our Neighboring States, Alabama and Georgia, are very Close to Passing Tough Anti Immigration Bills, Including E Verify Provisions.
If These Bills Pass, Just Where do you Think The Illegals will Move ?
To Florida and Other States that Have Weak Immigration Laws and Enforcement.
Pass a Tough Immigration Bill or We will Suffer an Increase in Illegals in Florida.
Posted by: Gary | April 30, 2011 at 10:49 AM