Two items

Hola!
Today there is a meeting of the Plans & Zoning Committee at 2pm in council chambers at KCMO City Hall, 414 E. 12th Street. The downzoning of two blocks on the northeastern boundaries of the Westside will be heard at the Plans & Zoning Committee. The Crossroads Arts District Tax Abatement Plan will also be heard at this meeting.

In addition, today at noon in Jefferson City, MO there will be a hearing on five bills that are very unfriendly not just to illegal immigrants, but to those of us who are herely legally and can be mistaken for immigrants because of our appearance.

Not just people of color, but everyone in this state, will have to justify our legal status in this country time and time again as we seek employment, housing and higher education or even if we are pulled over by the MO State Highway Patrol. Penalties will be exacted on employers and landlords.

These bills are all under consideration in the Pension, Veterans Affairs and General Laws Committee. Faxes can be sent for SB248 and HB269 to your State Senators. Talking points have also been developed. The summary text of SB348 is listed below on this blog.

Thank you.

Immigrant Experts Forum

Last Thursday, March 1st, the COHO Civil Rights Committee held an "Experts" Forum at Penn Valley Community College so that members of our community could meet with national expert Jon Blazer and learn what is being considered nationally and locally. 45 involved community members were invited. Lewis Duiguid, Vice President of the Kansas City Star, gave opening comments, which were inspiring and laid the basis of our work that evening.

Mr. Blazer Public Benefits Policy Attorney for the National Immigration Law Center in Washington, D.C. expounded on the many efforts nationwide to enact legislation targeting immigrants and those who appear to be immigrants. It was determined that alliances must be formed with groups who value the freedom that this country promises. This blog will endeavor over the next few months to illuminate our community on the issues.
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Tomorrow, March 8, 2007 is Hispanic Day in Jefferson City. We, Hispanics, will travel to our Missouri state capital to pose questions of our state legislators regarding issues of importance to our community.

Chief among our concerns is Senate Bill 348 which creates the Missouri Omnibus Act. Senator Chris Koster, Harrisonville, MO, R- District 31, Senate Majority Caucas Chairman is the bill's sponsor. It was last acted upon 1/25/2007 - Second Read and Referred S Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws Committee. The effective date of the bill if passed is August 28,2007 if passed.

A summary of this bill follows:

The Division of Immigration Compliance is created inside the office of the Secretary of State to implement new provisions in the law that deny housing and employment to illegal aliens.

It is illegal to employ unauthorized aliens and the act mandates that every employer in the state participate in the federal Basic Pilot Program in order to verify an employee's work authorization status as a condition of employment. Certificates of incorporation and other business licenses and registrations will be suspended when an employer employ's unauthorized aliens. Steps for curing violations are enumerated.

It is also illegal, under the act, to rent any dwelling to an illegal alien. Rental licenses and occupancy permits will be denied or suspended for those who knowingly or recklessly rent to illegal aliens and steps for curing violations are enumerated. A process is created whereby the landlord may, through the Division of Immigration Enforcement, verify the immigration status of any individual.

Law enforcement officers must inquire into the immigration status of any individual detained for any violation unless the inquiry would significantly extend the duration of the detention. If the individual is found to be illegal, the officer shall cooperate with any request from federal authorities regarding detention and custody transfer.

The state shall enter into cooperative agreements with the federal government to designate state law enforcement officers to help enforce federal immigration law.

Illegal aliens are barred from attending all public universities in the state and shall not receive any type of public assistance or benefit.

The act also authorizes cities, villages, and towns to enact ordinances prohibiting the employment of unauthorized aliens or unlawful workers and may deny business licenses to employers who employ unlawful workers.

This act is similar to SB 334 (2005), SB 988 (2006), SB 178 (2007), and SB 180 (2007).

CHRIS HOGERTY

Please note, I do want to point out that I truly believe that the language of the above proposed legislation refers to creatures from outer space.

What I want to know is from what planet do the creatures referred to in this bill hail from? and why weren't we alerted by the media when they arrived? It would appear that the efforts of Senator Koster and his cohorts are best directed in securing our celestial borders. This bill reads like a bad episode of Star Wars!

A Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum Focusing on the Latino Community

Hola!
Monday, March 12, 2007 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.

Location: Guadalupe Center, Inc. – Auditorium;1015 Avenida Cesar Chavez Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108

There is no denying that a burgeoning community of Latino voters is currently playing a larger role in the politics of Kansas City.

In order to specifically address the needs, concerns and interests of this growing contingent of voters in Kansas City; candidates for elected office throughout the metro area are soon to take part in a Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum that specifically focuses on our city’s Latino community.

The Coalition of Hispanic Organizations (COHO) is organizing the forum in collaboration with Dos Mundos, KC Hispanic News, La Raza Political Club and the Westside Political Forum Committee on Monday, March 12, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Guadalupe Center, Inc. Auditorium located at 1015 Avenida Cesar Chavez – Kansas City, MO.

Just as the local Latino community is defined by its unique characteristics and culture, the forum addressing this community will be equally distinctive. All candidates attending the forum have been asked to submit a one page synopsis of what they believe are the three top issues and concerns for our Latino and urban community and what they will do to address those concerns, if elected. The forum will also host a panel to pose questions to the candidates and the even will not only include Spanish language translation but also will be simulcast on local Spanish language radio programs.

Mayoral Candidates Mark Funkhouser and Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks have already committed to participating in the event along with a number of City Council candidates. The invitation to all candidates remains open as there are significant numbers of Latinos living in every part of Kansas City. The number of candidates confirming their attendance continues to grow daily.

For more information on this political forum intended to address an increasingly important segment of Kansas City’s electorate please contact Rita Valenciano at rita@gkccoho.com or 816/421-7577

community flyer - English folleto para la comunidad - Spanish

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