Turner Passes the Buck
Turner Passes the Buck
Date: Sunday, February 16, 2003 3:38 PM
H-1B and JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER
www.ZaZona.com
State Senator Shirley Turner from New Jersey is being hailed as a
friend of American workers because she amended a bill that would have
allowed state contracts to be outsourced overseas. At first glance her
amendment seems to help those unemployed workers in New Jersey because
it doesn't allow this type of outsourcing. On second glance it's just
another sell-out of American workers.
Notice that Turner's main concern is that by outsourcing jobs to other
countries New Jersey loses tax revenue. In her view the H-1Bs or L-1s
would generate tax revenues whereas the money would be lost if the work
was done in foreign countries. She isn't concerned if the work is done
by nonimmigrants or citizens as long as the work is done in-state, and
New Jersey gets the tax. What she doesn't understand is that H-1Bs and
L-1s often don't pay taxes, or they pay less tax than American workers
and that will cost New Jersey. The state budget will he hit hard as the
American workers that are displaced by H-1Bs draw unemployment,
welfare, and other state benefits.
As far as H-1B is concerned, Turner passes the buck by saying that H-1B
a federal issue, not a state issue. She has a point since she is a
state legislator and cannot directly affect the H-1B law. She can,
however, put in the amendment that no state work shall be done by
nonimmigrant workers. It's doubtful that the the federal government
would dare to file legal action against New Jersey, but if they did,
Turner could use the battle to rise to national prominence. Imagine
this: On one side would be Turner fighting for jobs for Americans, and
on the other side the big bad federal government forcing New Jersey to
hire foreign workers while Americans are defaulting on homes because
they can't find a job.
I'm sending this newsletter to Turner and Bucco in the hopes that they
might understand that by disallowing H-1Bs to work on state contracts
they could rise to national prominence - ESPECIALLY IF THE FED DOES
CHALLENGE THEM. By doing the right thing for American workers Turner
and Bucco could advance their political careers to new levels. If they
choose to pander to the corporations that choose to use nonimmigrants,
the voters in New Jersey will see through the charade as the jobs are
given to cheap foreign workers.
Linda Evans wrote a letter to Turner, and she got a reply. Both letters
are included as well as some new letters that were just sent by Linda
Kilcrease.
----- Original Message -----
Date: Monday, February 10, 2003 8:02 AM
One question - Why did you consider it important to allow foreign
workers here on work visas (H-1B and L-1) to be allowed to work on
government projects that can't be outsourced? Such workers also take
jobs from Americans, and, in many cases, pay no U.S. taxes.
Linda Evans
Matthews, NC 28104
----- End forwarded message -----
-------- Original Message --------
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 08:49:51 -0500
Reply-To: "Senator Shirley K. Turner, D., NJ Legislative District 15"
References: <3E47A2D8.2020505@carolina.rr.com>
Thank you for your recent inquiry to my office regarding my
anti-outsourcing bill, S1349. I appreciate hearing from you. Please
know that I am the primary sponsor of this legislation. As you know,
this bill provides that only citizens and legal aliens of the United
States may be employed in performing certain New Jersey State
contracts. As you know, the bill was amended to provide that in
addition to United States citizens, any person authorized to work in
the United States pursuant to federal law, not just legal resident
aliens, may be employed in the performance of services
under a State contract.
Contrary to the assertions in your e-mail messages to me, I do not feel
that this amendment weakens the bill whatsoever. I introduced this
bill in response to recent published reports that indicated that
telephone inquiries by welfare and food stamp clients under New
Jersey's Families First Program were being handled by operators in
Bombay, India after the contractor moved its operations outside of the
United States as a cost-cutting measure. As the bill is amended, I
feel it still addresses and stops the outsourcing of New Jersey State
Government Contracts. I was incensed upon learning of this
practice.
Just like you, I was outraged that a company could take our tax dollars
and pay workers in another country. It is wrong for government to fund
this flight of jobs overseas. These are workers who are not paying
federal, state, sales, or Social Security taxes to our government, nor
spending money stimulating our stagnant economy.
As S-1349 was amended by the State Government Committee, this flight of
New Jersey taxpayers dollars overseas will be stopped. Our state
government is facing a $5 Billion deficit and programs are getting
slashed unilaterally. The amendment still prevents this practice
because it prevents the sending of State contracts and taxpayer money
overseas. New Jersey residents have a right to know that their tax
dollars are going to hire workers in America. While we may not be able
to ban outsourcing outright, I believe banning such practices where
taxpayer money is concerned is a step in the right direction. I hope
that other states will consider similar measures.
Recently, my office has been deluged by phone calls, letters, and
emails from unemployed workers in support of this bill. I found that
the majority (if not all) of these calls were from unemployed IT
workers from all over the United States. Until I introduced this bill,
I had no idea how huge outsourcing is and how it has almost
singlehandedly crippled employment
opportunities for American IT workers. I did not introduce this bill to
address outsourcing in the private sector, however, my bill has become
a cause celebre for these workers to rally around. I believe that it
is outrageous for companies to overlook prime opportunities to invest
in and employ American workers when our national unemployment rate is
6%. Instead,
these companies outsource their labor in search of tax cuts and
monetary incentives and in the long run, undermine our economy. What
happens is that many of America's skilled laborers get squeezed out by
this practice. I wish that I could address the problems caused by the
H1-B visa and the problems that it has caused for many Americans.
However, as a New Jersey State Senator, I have no authority over
federal matters. I urge you and anyone who is upset over the H1-B
program to contact their United States representatives and let them
know about the problem.
Once again, I thank you for contacting my office. If you have any
additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Shirley K. Turner
Senator - 15th District
SKT: kks
__________
February 16, 2003
Dear Senator Bucco
Per the below, please lead change to the Senate bill S1349, sponsored
by Senator Turner. While the Assembly passed their bill unanimously,
they do not adddress the imported foreign workers who are massively
displacing New Jersey workers. This should not happen at all, but
certainly not with sensitive government projects as this compromises
our state government computer systems and our security.
In addition, these imported workers represent billions in uncollected
payroll taxes. New Jersey should not use its tax dollars to pay for
workers that displace those who do pay taxes. The bill certainly must
demand proof that any on shore foreign worker pay full employment
taxes.
Please strongly support my points below. Thank you.
Linda Kilcrease
_________________________________________________________
S1349
Dear Senator Turner
While I applaud the basic bill S1349 to prevent sending U.S. jobs off
shore, it is also essential that New Jersey protect itself from foreign
workers on shore.
Imported foreign workers, who come to work here under the H-1B and L-1
visas, should not be allowed to work in government areas that have
security or confidentiality needs, or are otherwise sensitive. Such
work must be restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
I do not want my tax dollars to pay for imported foreign workers who
displace Americans from jobs by the millions. Nor do I want my state's
infrastructure compromised by having foreigners - off or on shore -
controlling the computer systems. Understand, that endangers us.
New Jersey has the power, thorough this bill, to protect itself
regardless of what the federal government does.
Linda Kilcrease
______________
(To my two NJ state Assembleymen):
I ask you seriously consider the following regarding Assembly bill
2425. I realize this passed unanimously, but there are very serious
omissions. I have written Senator Bucco and the senate bill sponsor,
Senator Turner, for their support on the following in the Senator
version S1349. I hope there will be an opportunity for to step forward
with this support as well.
While I applaud the basic bill, it did not address the imported foreign
workers who are massively displacing New Jersey workers. This should
not happen at all, but certainly not with sensitive government projects
as this compromises our state government computer systems and our
security.
In addition, these imported workers represent billions in uncollected
payroll taxes. New Jersey should not use it's tax dollars to pay for
workers that displace those who do pay taxes. The bill certainly must
demand proof that any on shore foreign worker pay full employment
taxes.
Imported foreign workers, who come to work here under the H-1B and L-1
visas, should not be allowed to work in government areas that have
security or confidentiality needs, or are otherwise sensitive. Such
work must be restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
I do not want my tax dollars to pay for imported foreign workers who
displace Americans from jobs by the millions. Nor do I want my state's
infrastructure compromised by having foreigners - off or on shore -
controlling the computer systems. Understand, that endangers us.
New Jersey has the power, thorough this bill, to protect itself
regardless of what the federal government does.
Linda Kilcrease
Help to Keep ZaZona.com Online
Donate to the Cause at
http://www.zazona.com/Donations.htm
To Subscribe or Unsubcribe send an email to
Back to archives