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David Stanley Ford

Shawnee legislator plans bill that he hopes will help 'Oklahoma redeem itself'
Shawnee legislator plans bill that he hopes will help 'Oklahoma redeem itself'

By Jennifer Mock    Comments Comment on this article31
Published: November 11, 2007

Shawnee Rep. Shane Jett says he isn't a radical. But as one of the only Republican state lawmakers to speak out against immigration reform that went into effect earlier this month, many may see him that way.

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Shane Jett
HB 1804
House Bill 1804, most of which went into effect Nov. 1, ends most state benefits for illegal immigrants, makes it a felony to harbor or transport someone not here legally and will punish employers who hire undocumented workers.

•The bill passed the state Senate with a vote of 41-6, with one member absent.

•It passed the state House with a vote of 85-13 (three members were counted absent for the vote, including Rep. Shane Jett).

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Jett, who often doesn't rise in debate on the House floor, spoke passionately against House Bill 1804 earlier this year.

Proposed legislation
Jett plans legislation next session that he said will address the "unintended consequences” of HB 1804. Though the details of the bill still are being worked out, Jett said he would put into place a system similar to a guest worker program, where each illegal immigrant would be assigned an identification number to ensure they are paying the proper taxes. That money would then be captured entirely by the state to pay for any public services the illegal immigrant population is using.

"This is an opportunity for Oklahoma to redeem itself,” he said.

One of those unintended consequences is a reduction in the labor force as immigrants flee to other states out of fear.

Driving these workers further underground will exacerbate the work force shortages Oklahoma is already seeing as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, he said.

"No one set out to injure Oklahoma's economy, but that is what will happen,” he said.

The new law puts the state at an economic disadvantage as viable workers leave, most of whom want to play by the rules but can't because they must hide in the shadows, Jett said.

The number of illegal immigrants in the state is unclear, but based on the 2000 census and federal statistics, 46,000 illegal immigrants lived in Oklahoma in 2000. But, Rep. Randy Terrill, author of HB 1804, says he estimates 250,000 immigrants are here illegally, if not more.

What people aren't talking about is that if those people leave, that equals 250,000 jobs that will need to be filled, 250,000 fewer gas tanks filled each week, 250,000 loaves of bread not bought at the store, and 250,000 mortgage or rent payments not being made, Jett said.

"All because they don't have permission slips to be here,” he said. "These are real people, we can't forget that.”

Searching for the truth
The rhetoric paints illegal immigrants as less than human, hiding in shadows and stealing taxpayer dollars while not contributing to the system. But that isn't the whole story, Jett said.

"I don't believe Oklahoma families want to bust up families,” he said. "These people are contributing to our economy. There should be a way of redemption for them.”

"They found someone to blame who can't stand up and speak for themselves,” he said.

Jett said he is staking his political future on the idea that once Oklahomans hear the whole story and the implications of the law, they will look past the rhetoric and seek legislation "that takes into account human dignity.” Though Jett won re-election in 2006 with 60 percent of the vote, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in District 27 almost 2-to-1.

"Fear can be mitigated with the truth,” he said.

In the end, Jett said any real reform is going to have to come at the federal level.

"Ultimately, this will not be resolved until Washington gets off high center,” he said.

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David Stanley Ford




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Oklahoma doesn't need to "redeem' itself..it needs to strengthen the popular 1804 and vote the radical Jett out of office.This jerk didn't even the courage of his conviction to vote against 1804. He took the cowardly way out and voted present when 1804 was voted on.I love 1804 and official English.The Jettster is out of touch with Oklahomans.Vote him out of office.
charles, tulsa - Apr 24, 2008 at 11:37 am
I Hate 1804, I believe Adolf Hitler is alive and well and living in Moore, Ok. Where are the fair weather christians in the state, that are against genicide, if you aren't "ARIEN" YOU MIGHT BE NEXT. get behind Sen. JETT with every once of support you can find.
Rick, Oklahoma City - Nov 23, 2007 at 10:06 am
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Hate Group! now that sounds like La Raza.
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 15, 2007 at 5:16 pm
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About 5 miles east of Titusville. You can't miss it with the Blue water tower!
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 15, 2007 at 5:15 pm
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Exactly where is Blue Rapids located in OKlahoma?
sue, seminole - Nov 15, 2007 at 4:55 pm
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I do not want a hate group writing the laws I have to obey, they are not only against Hispanic but everyone that is not of their color and have the same eyes as them, does this sound familiar.
sue, seminole - Nov 15, 2007 at 4:53 pm
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Well, La Raza(The Race) help to write the amnesty bill that was defeated in Congress! Oh they are a racist group to,
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 15, 2007 at 4:50 pm
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I am glad that we have someone that will stand up for all of Oklahomans. The name of the group that helped write the bill for Oklahoma is called FAIR. Look them up, the lady from Tulsa Ms Helm was in their article this month. The founder of FAIR has been known as a white supremist. This is not something made up it is fact. I am not for breaking the law, but I would almost bet that everyone on this posting in one way or the other has broke the law, such as speeding, driving without insurance, etc., etc., etc. The new law that Randy Terrill is trying to get in next will really drown Oklahoma. I bet he is going to run for Governor or some other bigger, better job, which taxpayers will pay. Hopefully Oklahoma will not let him be their voice.
sue, seminole - Nov 15, 2007 at 4:02 pm
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Jason,don't feel too sorry for the illegal aliens.Quote: Social Security Agreement with Mexico Released After 3-1/2 Year Freedom of Information Act Battle


"Illegal Mexican Workers Could Receive Billions of Dollars from U.S. Social Security System

January 4, 2007 (Washington, DC) – After numerous refusals over three and a half years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released the first known public copy of the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement. The government made the disclosure in response to lawsuits filed under the Freedom of Information Act by TREA Senior Citizens League, a 1.2 million member nonpartisan seniors advocacy group.

The Totalization Agreement could allow millions of illegal Mexican workers to draw billions of dollars from the U.S. Social Security Trust Fund.

A loophole in current Social Security law could allow millions of today's Mexican workers to eventually collect billions of dollars worth of Social Security benefits for earnings under fraudulent or "non-work authorized" Social Security numbers, putting huge new pressures on the Social Security Trust Fund.

If an illegal worker working in the United States today gets a "work authorized" Social Security number through guest worker immigration legislation, the Totalization Agreement, or perhaps just over time, that worker could eventually apply for Social Security benefits once he or she has met eligibility requirements."

Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 14, 2007 at 7:24 am
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Jason,Nasty,Nasty You sure have a limited vocabulary,do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Oh, could you sent me the link to the KKK remark? Thanks
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 13, 2007 at 5:12 pm
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dave the source came from the gazette 2 weeks ago...a local thing. randy terrill also admitted it in a new conference. and btw how about your daughter....she fat too...i like um fat. and no i havent robbed a bank..ive been to busy teabaggin your mom.
Randy, Moore - Nov 12, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Gee Jason,could you please give me the source about the KKK! Oh, I guess the truth hurts,by the way if you do what you want,have you robbed a bank lately?
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 12, 2007 at 4:25 pm
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Gee Jason,could you please give me the source about the KKK! Oh, I guess the truth hurts,by the way if you do what you want,have you robbed a bank lately?
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 12, 2007 at 4:13 pm
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Dave... this bill was sponsored by a known KKK group. I will never stand by it, for it, around it. to me it will never even exist. i break laws just like anyone else...we just dont get caught...thats how we post here dave... you never have sped dave? impeeded traffic, rolled a stopsign, own illegal firearms, belong to hate group dave? Im american Dave... i do what i want. im supposed to be free. any another thing...cut and paste the law all you want. ive been to jail for doing the right thing....and im not afraid to do it again. ill always extend a helping hand...unless your the KKK or some crap.
Randy, Moore - Nov 12, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Jason & Debbie what other laws do you choose to ignore? Federal Immigration and Nationality Act
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)

"Any person who . . . encourages or induces an alien to . . . reside . . . knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such . . . residence is . . . in violation of law, shall be punished as provided . . . for each alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."

Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A):

A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:

* assists an alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or

* encourages that alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or

* knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
Dave, Blue Rapids - Nov 12, 2007 at 7:38 am
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Anyone have an idea why the comments section on the other article disappeared? It looks like the Oklahoman is CENSORING its readers.
T. A., Moore - Nov 12, 2007 at 12:16 am
debbie.. its a tiny fraction. most of the 44000 illegals...no randy its not 3 million(double oklahomas population.). pay taxes and dont get a refund for fear of deportation. think about this debbie...your an illegal working in oklahoma...for joe blow roofing....making 6 to 9 dollars an hour...been here 10 years..have two kids born here... Randy says...Deport them....you and me(tax payers) pay for jail time, court fees, lawyer fees, and a bus ride back to mexico....you were this guy, you come back to your family? every mexican, asian, african, european will be coming to oklahoma for a free trip home... think about it... whats better for oklahoma? and you? paying for these peoples deportation? or just letting a man roof a house and feed his family. i agree with the bill in this sense....illegal is illegal. but sometimes the harder road is the one that must be plowed. their is almost alway more than one way to skin a cat. oklahoma cant defend our borders. this is allready costing millions of our doolars, dollars that are not going to needy kids mouths, new bridges and roads, tax cuts, better education standards. this is just a bullcrap law written by a career politician to divide the state and get a higher political position. Terrill doesnt care about oklahoma...never has never will..
Randy, Moore - Nov 11, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Does anyone have verifiable figures as to how much the state spends annually on illegals? And what percentage of the total social service expenditures that represents? It seems that it would be helpful to this discussion to have those figures.
Debbie, Oklahoma City - Nov 11, 2007 at 5:11 pm
STEVEN: I'll be tearing out carpet, drywall and cabinets and hauling them out to the dumpster. Along with working full time, children and other responsibilities. And I normally do my own yardwork, but there are times I haven't been physically capable of doing part of it or all of it. So it's nice to have the option to hire someone to help me when I need it. I've had work done by hispanic and non-hispanic people. I never had to call the hispanic people and remind them to come, or ask why they didn't show up. I never had them tell me "no, I don't reallly want to clean out that flowerbed". They have always been polite, thorough, and quick. I have no idea if they are illegal or not. I only know they do a GREAT job for the exact same price as the non-hispanic yard service.
Debbie, Oklahoma City - Nov 11, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Anybody here realize that Rep. Jett is married to an immigrant? She recently became a legal US Citizen. But if you are thinking that Rep. Jett's position is in any way reflective of a new mindset within the Legislature, don't hold your breath. Jett's position is merely a reflection of his PERSONAL circumstances. He is an anomoly among a group that is representing the will of the people. The majority (by a landslide) support HB 1804. It is easy to call a man a racist and an idiot when you do not know the man personally. I do, and his position has never (even behind closed doors) been one of racism. It doesn't matter to him if you are green, orange, black, or white. It doesn't matter to him if you are Hispanic, Asian or Swedish. This is simply about being in this state ILLEGALLY.
jason, Oklahoma City - Nov 11, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Rep. Jett thinks he can make a name for himself, like Randy Terrill. But, it is not going to happen. The majority of the people in Oklahoma are FOR H.B. 1804, and those that are against H.B. 1804, stop your complaining. So, what if prices do go up, we will still not be paying as much as we were before H.B. 1804, due to the money that will be saved by not giving out so many free benefits to people that were in Oklahoma illegally. DEBBIE: You bought the house, do your own yard work and landscaping. I DO.
Glenna, Oklahoma City - Nov 11, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Gee, a politician who stands up against the media-fueled rising tide? A politician who wants to tell BOTH sides of the story? I'm stunned. This is not a good bill, and as usual, they knee-jerked and put a band-aid on it. But it looks by these posts like there can't be reasonable, common-sense discourse on this subject. 250,000 people gone equals a lot of tax dollars gone for the state. You complain about the social services these people use, but I've not seen any accurate estimates. We can certainly save money on social services while we all have to pay more to support the local merchants who will raise prices to make up for all the bread, gas, etc. that 250,000 people won't be buying anymore, not to mention the sales tax shortfall that the genius legislature will have to deal with. BTW, anyone here want to clean up and landscape the yard of the abandoned house I just bought - for what I can afford to pay?
Debbie, Oklahoma City - Nov 11, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I think this is an example of what we should demand of our politicians.

It tries to bring people together instead of tearing them apart.
It tries to create momentum on our higher qualities, like compassion, rather than our baser ones, like fear
Tim, Norman - Nov 11, 2007 at 1:56 pm
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Let's see. Shane Jett sees how the extreme left at the Oklahoman has gone after Randy Terrill, who stepped up to the plate for the "citizens" of Oklahoma. Then he takes a look at himself and realizes he’s not looking so great to his constituents, because he hasn’t done flip since he got in office. So he decides that the only way he can hold his seat is to pander to the illegal invaders and those greedy ingrates who are exploiting them with his version of yet one more "AMNESTY" bill. Well, guess what. That would make Shane Jett a RINO and his pandering to foreigners he hopes will someday vote for him will never fly.
T. A., Moore - Nov 11, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Bully to Rep. Jett for being a brave man in this time of unchecked pandering.
Steve, Oklahoma City - Nov 11, 2007 at 1:36 pm

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