'Official English' moves to full Senate / LJWorld.com

Kansas Legislature

March 15, 2007

Topeka — A Senate committee Wednesday recommended approval of a bill designating English as the official language of the state.

The measure now goes to the full Senate, where it is expected to pass.

"Generally speaking, bills that don't actually do anything have a high rate of passage," said Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, and chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Brungardt called House Bill 2140 a "nothing bill" that "acknowledges that English is what we speak here."

The committee removed a provision that sought to allocate $500,000 for adult language programs to help immigrants trying to learn English.

Committee members said consideration of the proposed appropriation should be done by the Senate Budget Committee, not the Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Melinda Lewis, director of policy advocacy and research for El Centro Inc. in Kansas City, Kan., opposes the bill but said she expected it to eventually become law.

"I expect that life will go on just about the same for folks as it did before; people still wanting to learn English, and having difficulty doing so, and some people being irrationally upset by the presence of other languages," Lewis said. The measure was approved 114-7 by the House last month.

Brungardt had tried to amend the bill to say that English was the "common" language instead of the "official" language. That motion failed.

House Bill 2140 would designate English as the official language of the state for all public documents and official public meetings. State agencies and local governments would continue to be allowed to provide documents in languages other than English.

Supporters said it would encourage immigrants to learn English as a way to succeed in American society. Opponents said the bill demeaned immigrants who already understood the importance of learning English and often go to great lengths to learn the language.

Discussion

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15 March 2007
at 7:25 a.m.

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preebo (Anonymous) says…

“Generally speaking, bills that don't actually do anything have a high rate of passage, said Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, and chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.”

…see? Even a Republican at that. Finally, someone other than me pointing out the obvious. This bill will do nothing but give “Rural” Kansans the feeling of progress towards halting illegal immigration.

Nothing will change, but hey its a start. (read with sarcasm).

Thomas Frank had a point, “What's the matter with Kansas?”
15 March 2007
at 8:11 a.m.

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bd (Anonymous) says…

No ! what is the matter with our country!
Why have 28 other states passes this same legislation!
15 March 2007
at 8:28 a.m.

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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…

So preebo and bd, you'd agree that a city's non-binding resolution condemning the war in Iraq would “do nothing”?
15 March 2007
at 9:02 a.m.

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preebo (Anonymous) says…

Absolutely.

It does nothing but give residents a legitimate, but false sense of encouragement regarding a national issue that expands beyond city, county, and state borders.

Having said that, I am not advocating my position on the Iraq War nor illegal immigration, but I am comparing two pieces of legislation that give a false front to the voting public based on their fears or ignorance on each issue respectively.

In addition, Lawrence does not need to officially express its discontent with the war in Iraq, since 66% of the nation agree that we are going in the wrong direction, but I digress. Similarly, on the illegal immigration issue America as a whole is 58% opposed to the “Guest Worker” idea.

Finally, If our elected officials want to halt illegal immigration then why not provide real, sustantive, tangible resolutions other then making an arbitraty claim that English is now Kansas' “official language?” Perhaps go after the reason illegals come here the Agri-Business sector, which employees illegal workers regularly.

I mean if they really want to solve the issue.
15 March 2007
at 9:41 a.m.

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oldgoof (Anonymous) says…

do-nothing, feel-good legislation = no ability or stomach to tackle decision making.
.
do-nothing, feel-good legislation = I want to print something on my campaign brochure next time.
.
I can engage in the same conduct at my morning coffee clatch, and at far less money.
.
shame on them all. Fix the problems.
15 March 2007
at 9:49 a.m.

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opinion (Anonymous) says…

Preebo,

I agree with most of your post. I disagree, however that anyone that supports this is doing so because they believe it will halt or slow down illegal immigration. I have worked in several manufacturing environments where written and verbal communication was critical to safe and efficient operation. In both, a significant portion of the workforce spoke a different language. All instructions ended up needing to be translated at significant cost because of the language barriers. Prior to deciding to translate, English classes were offered by the company at no cost to the employees. no one showed up!

Effeciency, safety and cost are all legitimate reasons to have one “official” language.
15 March 2007
at 10:24 a.m.

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preebo (Anonymous) says…

Opinion,

While I understand your concern for streamlining your company's operating procedures by offering an ESL class for those who do not speak as their native tongue, this bill is not going to do that for you. What this bill will do is place an emphasis on English, but not mandate that companies, agencies, or services only distribute or display English only materials.

That in lies the problem. For those who view this bill as a way to streamline things based on language barriers, this bill is designed to be a front on the face of Kansas. Conservatives can proudly claim that English is their “Official Language” while ignoring the real problem. Illegal workers working in our states largest industry, the meat packing and Agriculture industry.

Making English official, Opinion, will not ensure that you workplace is safer, in fact, it may make even more dangerous if your company was to mandate English at the expense of its Non-English speaking personnel and perhaps your own safety.

15 March 2007
at 11:25 a.m.

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bd (Anonymous) says…

In construction, communication is the key to safety on the jobsite!
I have seen many safety problems arise for the lack of communication with non english speaking workers!

The real problem is the bleeding heart liberals ,greedy corp. america and our rich lame politicians!
15 March 2007
at 11:33 a.m.

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Jamesaust (Anonymous) says…

Obviously, the legislative calendar includes too many days if there's time for a “nothing” bill.
15 March 2007
at 11:34 a.m.

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preebo (Anonymous) says…

Wow.

That is the first time I have seen Bleeding Heart Liberals and Greedy Corporations joining forces.

The problem with your ascertion is that it is the Republicans who pander to the coroprations, not the Dems, but I will concede that most politicians are rich.
15 March 2007
at 11:51 a.m.

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leigh (Anonymous) says…

bd,

If communication is so key to safety on jobsites, why don't those in charge make hiring decisions based on workers' abilities to communicate in English? I doubt foremen and others want another government mandate to comply with (or work around). Luckily this non-law does nothing of the sort.
15 March 2007
at 12:37 p.m.

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opinion (Anonymous) says…

Preebo,

I agree with you on the point you make about this specific bill not solving anything. I should have pointed that out in my earlier post. What I have a problem with is you bringing illegal immigration into the mix when the topic of English only is all that was being discussed. My point earlier was that there are reasons for pursuing true English only bills, with bite, that are based on safety and cost without dragging illegal immigration into it. The article itself does not say anything about illegal immigration. Dragging illegal immigration into it is often used to quietly play a race card and I believe the merits of having a country that uses one official language can stand against accusations of discrimination.
15 March 2007
at 1:07 p.m.

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bd (Anonymous) says…

Money talks!
GREED!
15 March 2007
at 1:11 p.m.

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preebo (Anonymous) says…

Opinion,

I completely agree with you, but as you may or may not know, this debate has regularly shifted to the Illegal Immigration argument. People will often claim that those who come here legally will assimilate to the culture including the language, but it is those who come here illegally who do not take the time to learn English.

I am with you, when it comes to leaving the illegal immigration debate out of the “Official English” issue. What I was doing was waging a pre-emptive strike against any of those who tried to levy the illegal-official english argument.

I hope that this clears things up for you. Like I said, I agree with you claim that English only shouldn't encompass illegal immigration.
15 March 2007
at 1:12 p.m.

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preebo (Anonymous) says…

Remember Official English does not equate to English Only.

15 March 2007
at 1:16 p.m.

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opinion (Anonymous) says…

Preebo,

Cleared up. Agreed. Thanks!
15 March 2007
at 2:51 p.m.

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EmJones (Anonymous) says…

Petty bigotry, at work with YOUR tax dollars.

Exactly what problem does this solve???????
15 March 2007
at 3:22 p.m.

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blackwalnut (Anonymous) says…

This can serve no good purpose.

This will cost a life.

Someone will decide they don't need to bother making sure a non English speaker understands a medical instruction, and someone will die.

Read The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Riveting book, nonfiction drama that reads like great fiction.
15 March 2007
at 9:34 p.m.

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lefthanded (Anonymous) says…

English is one of only a few of the official languages spoken at the United Nations. It is the official language of international sea and air travel. I don't know if it needs to become the official language of the United States but something probably needs to be done regarding the relatively recent and growing influx of spanish speakers here.
18 March 2007
at 12:45 p.m.

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WisemanICT (Anonymous) says…

That money that was sought after in the bill for adult English classes for immigrants could be paid for by employers that hire illegal slaves.

As soon as this bill is a law, it will open up avenues for the legal citizens of this state that become victims in accidents because of lack of language to have legal recourse for civil laws suits.
19 March 2007
at 2:04 p.m.

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languagerights (Anonymous) says…

“As soon as this bill is a law, it will open up avenues for the legal citizens of this state that become victims in accidents because of lack of language to have legal recourse for civil laws suits.”

Could you explain that statement, please?