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REPUBLICAN TEAM DENOUNCES SPITZER/BROOKHAVEN DEMOCRATS ON PLAN TO GRANT DRIVER’S LICENSES TO ILLEGAL ALIENS

Top Democrat’s Plan to Provide Illegal Aliens with Driver’s Licenses Follows Lt. Governor’s Support to Grant Voting Rights to Non-Citizens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 27, 2007

This afternoon, Brookhaven Republicans united in opposition against a proposal by New York State’s top Democrat, Governor Eliot Spitzer’s plan to grant drivers licenses to illegal aliens throughout New York State. This announcement comes on the heels of the State’s second highest-ranking Democrat, Lt. Governor David Paterson, who earlier this month announced his support to allow non-citizens the right to vote in this country, calling the idea, “exciting”.

Brookhaven Republicans criticized Town Democrats including -- Supervisor Brian Foley for placing the welcome mat out for illegal aliens and giving their blind support for these plans that will weaken immigration laws. In addition, Republicans urged Assembly Democrats in the region to approve legislation sponsored by Senator John Flanagan that would pre-empt the Spitzer plan. The Senate has already approved this bill. The State Legislature is expected to return to Albany for a special session in October.

“Since taking control of the Governor’s Office, the crowning achievements of our State’s top two Democrats has been to grant driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, and the idea of giving voting privileges to non-citizens,” Robert DiCarlo said. “Sadly, Brian Foley’s silence on these issue clearly demonstrates that instead of standing up for Brookhaven taxpayers, he is in lock-step with the ultra-liberal wing of his party. However, it should come as no surprise when you consider he was the architect of a bill that would have constructed a taxpayer-funded hiring hall for illegal aliens.” 

“Brian Foley and his Democratic administration have done nothing to stem the tide of
illegal and overcrowded houses, higher school taxes and other quality of life burdens that illegal immigration has brought to our area,” said Keith Romaine, Town Council candidate for the 6th District. “Now they’re encouraging more of this dumping on our area by allowing Eliot Spitzer to hand out New York State drivers licenses to those who are illegally here. This is dangerous on a multitude of levels, and cannot be allowed.” 

“Allowing illegal immigrants the privilege of a New York Drivers license only encourages and assists those who are already breaking the law – yet allows them to continue to skirt paying taxes,” said Betty Manzella, candidate for the Suffolk County Legislature’s 3rd District. “Our community is already overburdened with crime and high taxes that impacts the quality of life of our hard working families. Shame on Brian Foley for endorsing this dangerous policy by not vocally opposing it.”

“For far too many years the democrats in town hall and Albany have turned a blind eye to illegal aliens,” said Roberta Owens, Town Council candidate for the 4th District. “The inaction by democrats has led to not even one overcrowded house being shut down over the last 2 years in Brookhaven, and is negatively impacting the quality of life of hardworking families in the 4th district. It is beyond comprehension how as a citizen we are required to provide ID for a license and yet the democrats are backing a plan for illegal aliens – who are breaking our laws on a daily basis – to not only get drivers licenses but the ability to vote.”

“Realizing that the Suffolk Legislature does not have a say in this matter, as soon as I learned about this foolish plan I immediately reached out to Senator Trunzo to secure his support in fighting this plan,” said Brian Egan, candidate for the Suffolk County Legislature’s 7th District. “As a special housing prosecutor for the Village of Patchogue, who has fought against illegal immigration, I have seen the effects that illegal and overcrowded housing has on our communities. This proposal is a total step backwards.”

“It is sad that our town and county Democrats are lining up to support the Governor’s ill-conceived plan that would grant illegal aliens with drivers licenses,” said Tom Muratore, a former Suffolk Police Officer and candidate for the Suffolk County Legislature’s 4th District. “I’m proud of my zero tolerance stand against illegal immigration, and look forward to rolling up my sleeves and joining my Republican colleagues to change this unacceptable and wrongheaded policy that rewards illegal behavior.”

 “Who is Eliot Spitzer representing,” questioned Irene D’Abramo, candidate for Suffolk County Legislature’s 5th District. “It’s certainly not the law abiding people of Suffolk County who are concerned with the illegal toll on our rising taxes now that they will contribute to traffic congestion, air pollution and lack of assimilation in America.”

“It’s obvious to me that Governor Spitzer has not taken the illegal alien issue seriously,” said Edward Wendol, 1st District Town Council candidate. “To provide illegal aliens with the same privileges that hard working Brookhaven taxpayers is completely wrongheaded, and the fact that the Foley administration has remained silent is a clear endorsement of this terrible and can only hurt our communities.”

 “No Green Card, No Drivers License plain and simple,” said Martin Haley, candidate for Brookhaven Highway Superintendent. “As highway superintendent I will demand that vendors working for the highway department not hire illegal aliens, with or without a Spitzer drivers license.”