Representative Peter Palumbo of Cranston has introduced a bill, based on Arizona’s controversial legislation, that would make failure to carry immigration documents a state crime.
“What pushed me over the edge was, when I heard the mayor of San Francisco and mayor of L.A. chastising the governor [of Arizona] for her efforts, I just snapped. When they said they’re going to economically boycott one of their sovereign states — that’s what did it,” Palumbo said.
“We’re all under attack, basically,” he said. “People are coming in from all our borders and they’re coming in quickly. Everyone agrees something needs to be done … I’m trying to show the people in Arizona that there are more people in support of them, than against them.”
The bill also penalizes people who hire or knowingly transport illegal immigrants.
Watch the video: Rep. Peter Palumbo on Fox News Channel’s Neal Cavuto Show
The April 2008 issue of Parents Magazine brought Peter some welcome news. Rhode Island was ranked second safest state for kids. His efforts in sponsoring and promoting Megan’s Law, Jessica’s Law, and follow-up legislation on sexual predators was having an effect, and getting some attention. According to the article, Rhode Island’s violent crime rate is about half the national average, and ‘one of the big deterrents’ in combatting crime against kids is “stronger punishments for first-degree child molesters that require offenders to be elctronically monitored for life.”
Calling for a review on current practices in treatment and education for children with autism was a “no-brainer” for Peter, considering his children are autistic.
Peter sponsored numerous bills to combat the rising costs of illegal aliens. Under these bills, only legal residents of the state would be able to receive:
- State-sponsored health insurance
- Low- and moderate-income housing
- Employment security benefits
- A driver’s license
While these bills stalled in committee, they brought to light an ever-increasing tax burden that faces Rhode Islanders.
In 2005 and 2007, when a developer attempted to put a drive-thru Dunkin Donuts at the intersection of Rolfe Street and Pontiac Avenue, Peter joined forces with neighborhood residents to fight City Hall, getting the backroom deal shot down. The City’s Zoning Board of Review had the audacity to approve the request prior to the City Engineer’s approval. After Peter sent a letter to the City Engineer and the city saw the tenacity of neighborhood’s opposition, it ceased to pass. Says Peter, “This deal was so rotten it stunk in the freezer.”
When several neighbors experienced severe flooding due to heavy rains and clogged storm drains, Peter took immediate action. After finding out that the only truck the City of Cranston had to do the job was out-of-service, Peter worked with the City Public Works Department to borrow a truck from Warwick to get the work done quickly.
Peter assisted residents in the Glen Hills neighborhood in their fight to stop a zoning variance that would allow three homes to be built on a site that barely has room for two homes.
After hearing that Woodridge Elementary School teachers needed additional funds to help purchase books needed for the children’s curriculum, Peter donated money from his campaign account to help with copying and other related expenses.
Peter has secured a grant for the eastern section of Cranston, to promote and plan economic development.