State Rep. James Mills (R-Gainesville) said predictions earlier this year that the House and Senate would steer clear of controversial issues and play it safe because it is an election year proved wrong.
"And, we did right the opposite," he said. Referring to one of the more controversial issues that awaits the governor's signature, he added "you know we passed the immigration reform bill."
Mills says he and other members of the delegation wound up having to fight for some funding for Gainesville State College after a contentious illegal immigration forum at the school.
"...Representative Rogers and myself had to fight to keep the funding for Gainesville College because leaders (of the House and Senate) were not pleased with the way that was handled."
Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), primary author of the immigration bill, was on the panel and came under verbal attack from another panel member who was vehemently opposed to the measure.
Rogers defended his bill during the meeting, saying it did not impose any restrictions illegal immigrants, but allowed current law to be enforced. Tisha Tallman from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, attacked the bill as unconstituitional, anti-immigrant and racist.
In looking back on the session, Mills said Friday his biggest disappointment was probably the defeat of a bill that would require women considering an abortion to first have a sonogram of their fetus. He said, however, he thinks the bill stands a good chance of passing next year.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/4/112974