House moves on illegal immigration

It's a busy time for GOP leadership in Harrisburg.

Yesterday saw Gov. Corbett's Marcellus Shale development/fee plan and proposed slashes to union wage requirements on public construction projects. Today is a hearing on a plan to restructure electoral college votes (more on that later) and bills cracking down on illegal immigration.

Tom Barnes covers the immigration moves, which are at committee:

The bills are part of a 15-bill package called "National Security Begins at Home," some of which will be acted on by the Legislature this fall and the rest next year, said Mr. Metcalfe, R-Cranberry.

"We need to shut down the magnets that bring illegal aliens to Pennsylvania," such as jobs and welfare benefits, he said.

The bills provoked a lengthy and spirited discussion between Republicans on the committee, who favor them, and Democrats, who contend the bills are basically an effort to punish immigrants, mainly Hispanics, who have come here seeking jobs and a better life.