Levy Bill Will Require Firms Doing Business with the County to Verify Legal Status of Employees Hauppauge, NY – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy today announced that he will be filing legislation within the week requiring firms doing business with the county to certify in a sworn affidavit that their employees are legally eligible for employment in the United States. The measure will apply to all firms with county contracts funded solely with county funds. Federal law currently requires employers to verify and maintain this information for all employees, but there is very little enforcement at the federal level, the County Executive said. The Levy bill will create stiff penalties for violators, including monetary fines and termination of contracts for repeat offenders. "As the national debate over immigration reform continues to slog along, at the local level we are going to continue to act within the confines of our limited jurisdiction in this area," Levy said. "The federal government has essentially ignored its responsibility to enforce immigration laws and that has dramatically impacted local governments and communities. A frustrated public is looking to their local leaders to step up to the plate." The county executes approximately 10,000 contracts for goods and services each year and it is estimated that this provision will apply to roughly 60% of those which are funded 100% with county dollars. The law will also apply to subcontractors working on county jobs. "With this legislation, we are sending a message that the federal government's failure to enforce its own laws will not deter the leaders of county government who want to see one set of rules apply to all businesses – not just to those businesses who choose to comply," said Legislator Joseph T. Caracappa. "Businesses should never find themselves at a competitive disadvantage for honoring the law." "Hiring undocumented workers costs millions in lost tax revenues and leads to worker exploitation. By requiring employers to affirm the legal worker status of their employees, taxpayers will know all workers are paying their fair share and employees will be protected from unfair labor practices," said Legislator Louis D'Amaro who has agreed to co-sponsor the measure. "We are not asking employers to do anything more than live by the rules and obey existing law." Levy said that enforcement and monitoring will be handled by the Department of Labor working in conjunction with the County Attorney. If passed this year, the provisions of the bill would take effect for all contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2007. "We have the power as a county to place conditions on those who wish to contract with the county and do business within the county," Levy said. "It's already the law of the land. This law will give us the authority and the mechanism needed to enforce it at the local level." "We must make sure that there is a level playing field for all contractors working in and for Suffolk County," said Legislator Jack Eddington, who has also expressed a desire to co-sponsor the bill. "This legislation would prevent dishonest employers from gaining an edge by hiring undocumented workers and paying them less then the prevailing wage." Under the new law, the county will have the authority to levy a $1,000 penalty for first-time violators. A second infraction can result in a $1,000 per employee fine for businesses under contract. A third violation may result in termination of contracts with bars against future work with Suffolk. "People in the business community are already well aware that existing federal law mandates this requirement," said Ed Perez, Director of the County Executive's Office of Minority Affairs. "This law is designed to penalize those unscrupulous businesses that fuel an underground, illegal economy and put at risk both their employees and their business competitors who abide by the law."   ======================================================================== Posted: July 23,2006     Stop Congress from approving the creation of an unelected "Sunset Commission" which could undo our nation's vital human needs and social service programs!                  Tell Your Representative to Oppose Sunset Commission Creation. Action Needed: Oppose H.R.5766 and H.R.3282 Please call your the Capitol any time at 1-888-460-0813, and tell them who your Congressman is and they will connect you with their office. As the August Congressional recess rapidly approaches, the House has decided to rush two "sunset commission" bills to the floor as early as next week! These bills, H.R. 5766, Tiahrt, R-KS and H.R. 3282, Brady, R-TX , will set up a mechanism where an unelected commission would be able to examine federal programs and create legislation to single-handedly reduce or shutdown government agencies and programs – most likely those that address the needs of poor and low income children and families. Contact your Representative now to oppose these bills! Background: Proposals for Sunset Commissions have been floating around for a while under the guise of eliminating government waste and improving management of agencies, programs and services. Both the Tiahrt bill (H.R. 5766) and the Brady bill (H.R.3282) establish a commission that is appointed by the White House and Congress which then has the power to sit in judgment over all or most federal programs, recommend which programs live, die, or get changed in some way, and then force those recommendations through Congress under fast-track procedures that constrain debate and forbid amendments. This fast track system will force crucial government programs to plead for the survival before a committee where the hearings are private and advocates will be excluded from the process. Oppose these bills NOW, before the vote comes to the House floor next week. I urge you to either pick up the phone and let your voice be heard, or click on your Representatives name below and send him or her an email.

Bush's Most Radical Plan Yet

New York Delegation