Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE -- There was plenty of shouting over the state budget this afternoon, but there's no way it's all over.

The House debate on the plan to close a $425 million state deficit turned fiery over illegal immigration.

The raging national issue erupted on Rhode Island's House floor over Article 10 that deals with medical assistance and managed care.

It started when Rep. Peter Palumbo, D-Cranston, offered an amendment stating: "No person who is residing in this state as an illegal alien shall be entitled to any benefits under the RIte
Care program."

RIte Care provides families on the Family Independence Program and eligible uninsured pregnant women, parents, and children up to age 19 with comprehensive health coverage.

The debate centered around whether a pregnant woman in the country illegally is entitled to the benefits.

Palumbo urged colleagues to support the people in their districts, "not illegal aliens." And Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick, talked -- loudly at times and at length -- in support of his colleague's amendment.

But views on the House floor seem to vary on what current law says.

Shortly after 4:45 p.m., after about an hour of debate, the amendment failed.

Lawmakers have moved on to address more of the 39 sections of the budget called "articles." Some 70 amendments have been drafted by lawmakers wanting to change parts of the budget or create sections. Those amendments have not been released publicly.

The debate typically runs well into the night and often into the early-morning. Projo.com plans to provide updates into the night. Return tomorrow morning for a full report.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Steve Peoples of the Journal State House Bureau

Comments

Liz said:

Our government was formed for the people and by the people - of the United States - not of the world. People who pay taxes and are citizens should benefit from the laws and noncitizens are just that - noncitizens. They have no rights to our benefits. When noncitizens are offered more help from our own government than citizens are something is terribly wrong. Reps and senators need to wake up and do what's right for their constituents and not what's right for their own pocket.

Link | July 3, 2008 11:39 AM
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