KHOU-11 and KTRH-740 report that city council, after a contentious public comments time yesterday, is likely to approve funding for a day labor site.
KHOU’s story provides a taste of yesterday’s debate:
“When we have drug dealers and prostitutes coming along, we do not build crack houses or brothels. Instead we send law enforcement into these areas to enforce the law,” said opponent Curtis Collier.
[snip]
“The operation of a day labor center violates the law by aiding and abetting illegal criminals looking for work,” said opponent Leslie Wetzel.
The afternoon’s most tense moment came when Councilman Adrian Garcia, who supports the funding, had a question for that woman.
“If you were unable to produce the necessary documents that would allow someone to employ you right now, would you see it as favorable to be put in the category of an illegal alien?” asked Garcia.
[snip]
Supporters countered that the center could support anyone legal or not, and that the real question is dignity.
“The clumps of unemployed men standing in the extreme heat and cold, lining several blocks of Canal Street in search of an honest day’s work need assistance in getting off the streets,” said Joe Rubio.
