The not for profit State Government Leadership Foundation did a pretty exhaustive study of the immigration issue in late 2007.  The findings from their national survey still ring true at this point in 2008.  From IBJ Daily:

Property tax relief wasn’t the only weighty issue state lawmakers tackled last session, but it is one they ultimately resolved.

The other big, contentious topic – what the state should do about illegal immigration – was left twisting in a whirlwind of politics and emotion. In the end, Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a compromise on legislation addressing the issue.

Well, it’s coming back. The Legislative Council – a group of lawmakers that oversees the affairs of the General Assembly – formally punted illegal immigration back into political play last week by assigning the subject to a bipartisan, interim study committee.

The hope is that the 12-member panel of legislators can examine the issue in more depth – without the partisan tensions of a session – and settle on recommendations that could be enacted into law next year.

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