City Commission Supports Florida Compact

On Monday evening, the Sarasota Ciy Commissioners voted 3-2 to support a symbolic measure that takes a stand against a proposed state immigration bill, SB 136, by Mike Bennett R-Bradenton.

The Florida Compact states that immigration is a federal issue and that unfunded mandates and unintended consequences of the bill are reasons the state should reconsider the bill.

Mayor Kelly Kirschner brought this compact to the board because he said that nearly 20 percent of Sarasota’s population is Hispanic, that this will bill put more pressure on local law enforcement and it will negatively affect the local economy.

The bill, which is an Arizona-type immigration bill, will ask local law enforcement to take on more policing of immigration issues. This aspect, Kirschner said, is one of the . He said this is a federal issue not a state issue.

Commissioner Terry Turner, however, said it is the city that is getting involved in business that it should not.

“I’m not comfortable with this commission taking a position on the issue,” Turner said. “Don’t agree with Sarasota trying to intervene between Tallahassee and Washington … I think we should not engage.”

Commissioner Richard Clapp echoed Turner’s sentiments. “In terms of trying to set national or state social policy, I don’t believe our city has done anything like that before.”

Those who spoke during the public comment section supported the commission signing the Florida Compact with eight speaking in favor of the issue and two against.

The Florida Compact is not a legislative action. It is a vote by the commissioners that Commissioner Suzanne Atwell said will “send a message” to Tallahassee.

“Our city has been built on a lot of sweat of the immigrant population,” Atwell added. “[This] sends a message that we support all of you that worked for us.”