Any and all costs associated with Illegal immigration are a federal responsibility. The state has already failed to reimburse local jurisdictions for unfunded mandates. The legislature should be pressing our federal representatives to reimburse for ALL costs associated with their failed immigration laws. The reckless policy of providing legal representation to unaccompanied illegal alien minors who have crossed the border is a flagrant abuse of state funds – especially when you consider the unmet needs of our own foster children and emancipated youth.
Additionally, the legislative created this allocation by using the budget trailer bill process to enact urgency legislation, thus eliminating the need for Republican input. This eleventh hour ‘end run’ by the state legislature is irresponsible. If the Governor and legislative leadership believe this is an important policy discussion, then the legislature should follow its own rules instead of using parliamentary gimmicks.