Dems: Emergencies a budget distraction

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It was quite a surprise when the Gov. Rick Perry announced emergencies for Texas lawmakers to take up in the first 30 days of the session -- eminent domain and sanctuary cities. Some say it will hurt fixing the bigger issue -- the budget. Others said he is right on target.

"We're going to get caught up in this session, but we’re not going to leave anyone behind,” said Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

On Tuesday, Perry said Texas must work within available revenue and make no new taxes in order to balance the budget. But with all the focus on the state's budget, Democratic lawmakers question the governor’s motives for issuing these emergencies.

"I don't understand why they got elevated above a fiscal crisis that we have with a $27 billion shortfall,” said Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin. “That's the emergency. That's the biggest challenge we face as a state."

Some said Perry is simply appeasing conservatives in the state, possibly bolstering his position to run for a higher political office someday by abolishing so-called sanctuary city practices.

"There are cities in the state that have made decisions that they're going to havens for those that are either in conflict with federal immigration laws or state laws that prohibit that,” Perry said.

During his campaign, he specifically singled out Houston as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, though lawmakers from that city say that characterization is wrong.

"It's very hypocritical to say that Houston or any city or any big county in the state of Texas is a sanctuary city, because one,  how do you define what a sanctuary city is?" said Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston.

Though there is no legal meaning, sanctuary cities are generally thought of as places where police and city employees do not ask for a person's immigration status, allowing them to report crimes without fear of being asked for their papers. Also, police in cities like Houston and Austin don't ask for immigration status for people they arrest, but that is checked at the jail later.

"I know that APD has a lot of other things to worry about in a city that is growing as fast as ours,” Strama said.

When asked, Perry sidestepped naming which cities he has in mind.

"If the shoe is fitting you, you might not want to be wearing it,” said Perry.

The governor said he is working with lawmakers on a bill that would address sanctuary cities right now, though he also said it is too soon to say if it would give police the power to ask for immigration status without cause.

There are several bills already filed dealing with sanctuary cities, most notably one by Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball. She wants local governments not enforcing immigration laws to go without state funding. Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Houston, want to make cities share immigration information with federal agents. Those that don’t could face a $10,000 per day fine.

The governor also pointed out property rights associated with eminent domain as one of his emergencies. He has mentioned a bill filed by Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, and Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, would push property rights to the forefront this session.