Report shows HB 1804 may cost $1.8 billion to state's economy (Hate hurts)

[Changenow]

A reduction in Oklahoma employees as result of an anti-illegal immigration bill will bring a penalty of almost $1.8 billion to the state’s economy, according to findings released Tuesday.

“Reasonable people disagree about whether the social policy embodied in HB 1804 -- to reduce the economic burden on the state and its citizens by encouraging the out-migration of undocumented or ‘illegal’ workers -- is a good thing or a bad thing for the State,” OBA Chairman Don Abernathy said in a statement. “But virtually no one disputes that it has had an impact on some Oklahoma businesses.”

The study found that losing about 50,000 foreign-born workers, about one-half of all immigrant workers in the state, will cause a 1.3 percent reduction in gross state product in the short run.

.......

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080325_1__hrimg03830

Lou Dobbs won't mention this.

[The Straight Story]

1. But that does not factor in savings

Which could be greater than the short term revenue loss - if costs associated go down by 3 billion, then it is still a net gain.

And that is what Lou will be saying :)

[Changenow]

2. Sure it does

The article concludes:

“The Oklahoma economy is not large enough and sufficiently diverse in its industry make-up to accommodate a 3% reduction in the size of its labor force. The ongoing debate over immigration and the cost associated with providing public services to undocumented workers is undeniably complex. The discussion is certain to continue and likely to remain contentious. However, the potential severity of the self imposed economic penalty is both real and alarming, seemingly requiring considerable benefits to merit its existence.”


The only good of this is the people of Oklahoma let their hate consume them to the point that they will ultimately suffer.

[eyeontheprize]

3. The bankers have a liberal bias

everyone knows that.

This story is a well kept secret.

[Hydra]

4. I feel like rec'ing this

Not because I think it's a bad thing- I'm sure the unemployment rate there is at least as large as the pool of illegal workers they'll lose(which won't be many- laws have to be enforced, and we seem to have a problem with that lately).

I would also like their numbers on how much social services money was going to the undocumented workers. That tends to get ignored.

[DCKit]

5. Those are the costs they can anticipate now.

These things have a way of trickling through an economy.

[Changenow]

6. It could get worse. nt