Missouri voters to decide official state language

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Published May 18, 2007

Missouri voters to decide official state language

Associated Press

Missouri voters will get a chance to make English the official language of
government proceedings. The proposed constitutional amendment passed the
Senate and House today, as majority Republicans in each chamber used
procedural steps to halt debate from some Democrtic dissenters. Because
it's a constitutional amendment, the measure goes straight to the ballot
instead of the governor. The most likely election date is November 2008.
Senators passed the amendment 25-7. The House later agreed to the Senate's
wording changes on a 127-29 vote.

Missouri law already makes English the state's "common language." But
supporters want the state constitution changed to ensure that government
decisions are not made in other languages. When he brought the bill up for
debate earlier this week, Senate handler Kevin Engler, R-Farmington,
introduced it in an attempt at speaking German to make his point. "If
we're going to ask people to come to this country and succeed they need to
learn the language," Engler said. "This does not say they can't be proud
of their heritage. Official government proceedings should be done in
English."

Opponents say there's no concern about government business being handled
in foreign languages in Missouri. They worry the proposal makes the state
appear hostile toward immigrants trying to build a life here and is really
just an effort to drive Republicans to the polls. "I have never met an
immigrant who doesn't want to learn the English language," said Sen. Jolie
Justus, D-Kansas City. "It is bad policy of this state to run around
fixing problems that don't really exist." Critics also worried the
proposal could have harmful practical consequences, such as forbidding
court interpreters or informal meetings between teachers and
Spanish-speaking parents. But supporters said it only affects government
bodies' official meetings.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/BREAKING01/70518058

***********************************************************************************

N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of
the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a
message are encouraged to post a rebuttal.

***********************************************************************************