Getting A Little Big For Their Britches

Georgia's legistlature has hammered at a final version of its Senate Bill 529 . It will now most assuredly be signed into law by Governor Perdue. By 2007 Georgia will have one of the toughest immigration statutes on the books.

Fortunately for all Georgians, one potentially embarrassing provision was removed from the final bill.

Excised was a provision that would have required anyone wiring money to another country pay a 5% fee. Sounds like a good idea on the surface. The primary method for all immigrants to funnel money back to their families is to use wire transfers. It's become so profitable you can now perform the task in some convenience stores.

There's only one problem.

The Congress shall have power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and
among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.

That's Article I, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, better known as the Commerce Clause.

Oops.

Good thing there's at least one member of the Georgia General Assembly with enough law learnin' to actually understand our form of government.