Recently a subcommittee in the Iowa House advanced a controversial bill to restrict funding to cities and counties who designate themselves as a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants. District 20 Representative Clel Baudler is pleased the bill has advanced to a full committee hearing, and hopes it will eventually make its way to the governor’s desk. Baudler chairs the Public Safety Committee, which oversees this bill, and will lead discussion on the matter tomorrow.

The representative commented on the bill’s impact, should it be adopted. “What we’re concerned about is if cities or counties would become a sanctuary city or county, they automatically are assisting people that are here illegally and (violating) federal law…I don’t think the cities should be sticking a finger in the federal government’s eye.”

This week is an important one for the longevity of this and other bills. During “funnel week,” if a bill is not passed by either a House or Senate committee, it will not be eligible for advancement. To hear more on this and other topics from the legislature, listen to today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program.