skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Immigrants Suing To Halt Vote on Suffolk Contractor Law

play audio
Play

Monday, April 28, 2008   

Hauppauge, NY - The Suffolk Legislature could face a lawsuit over its vote on a bill that would require contractors to investigate workers' immigration status or lose their licenses. The suit is an attempt to halt this week's scheduled vote on lawmaker Brian Beedenbender's controversial bill, in favor of a compromise due the following week.

Domenico Romero, project director for the Long Island Immigrant Alliance, believes the Beedenbender bill was improperly moved out of committee during a last-minute re-vote, while an opposing member was out of town on an emergency.

"The committee had already tabled this bill. But now that this legislator was out of town, the vote made it out of committee. This goes against the procedures of the legislature. So, actually, we are looking into filing a lawsuit, probably on Monday, about these procedures."

Beedenbender says his proposal would expand a two-year-old law that put similar immigrant restrictions on contractors doing business with Suffolk County.

"We did that piece of legislation in 2006, predating my existence at the legislature, and I believe this is the next logical step, to say all those people, 'All the individuals and businesses that receive occupational licenses will have to follow the rules.'"

Opponents say Beedenbender's bill duplicates existing federal law, and that its passage could mean discrimination against Latinos and other immigrant workers in the Island's substantial contract construction industry. Romero says the Alliance, as well as other labor and commercial leaders, favor a compromise presented by Jon Cooper. It would maintain payroll taxes and minimum wage payments, but eliminate the requirement of investigating workers' immigration status. In Romero's view, it's a proposal that would protect all workers, regardless of their immigration status.

"We are supporting a proposal that strips this law of the anti-immigrant content, and keeps the part that will actually protect all workers' rights. Some laws are just going to create discrimination, but there are other laws that can protect all workers."

Cooper's compromise comes up for a vote on May 13; a vote on Beedenbender's bill is scheduled for Tuesday.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
Including the $236 million in federal funding for wildland fire management recently announced for 2025, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested a total of $1 billion to the cause, according to the Department of the Interior. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

This month, the federal government announced funding for next year's wildfire management, totaling $236 million and experts hope threatened …


Social Issues

play sound

From gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Superintendent of Public Instruction hopeful Michele Morrow, some Republicans running for office have …

Social Issues

play sound

California is home to more than 181,000 people who are unhoused, with 75,000 in Los Angeles alone, so the Los Angeles Food Policy Council will host a …


The California Department of Conservation is holding a public meeting online on Sept. 24, to update the public on its progress in plugging abandoned oil wells. (Alizada Studios/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Groups concerned about pollution and climate change are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a trio of bills dubbed the "make polluters pay" package…

Social Issues

play sound

This week, National Voter Registration Day was another timely reminder for Ohioans preparing for the 2024 general election. The latest reports from …

The American Heart Association said caregivers often experience personal and spiritual growth, discovering their own resilience, competence and capacity for sacrifice as they help a friend or loved one. (Justlight/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Self-Care Awareness Month and the American Heart Association in Missouri is urging caregivers to take some much-needed time for themselve…

Environment

play sound

In Virginia's waters, the decline of a small but critically important fish is causing growing concern among conservation groups and fishermen alike…

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the state's constitution to ensure families have school choice as a fundamental right. Kallie Leyba…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021