Colorado lawmakers got back to work at 10 a.m., wasting little time before holding hearings on a handful of bills designed to toughen restrictions on illegal immigrants.
Republican Gov. Bill Owens called the special session last week, asking the state legislature to deal with a number of immigration issues including ensuring that only citizens vote, limiting state services to illegal immigrants and toughening sanctions against employers who hire undocumented immigrants.
Owens made the call after the Colorado Supreme Court last month invalidated a November ballot measure that would have limited most services to illegal immigrants.
This morning, the Senate health committee heard testimony on a bill that would restrict most public benefits to adult illegal immigrants. It would exempt public health benefits such as immunizations and prenatal care, services necessary to protect life or safety and shelters and soup kitchens. None of the limitations would apply to children.
The bill is expected to be voted on in committee this afternoon and could also be debated and voted on by the entire Senate as soon as this evening.
