Alabama Senate Committee Considers Illegal Immigration Bill

The Republic: A state Senate committee is taking its first look at a bill passed by the Alabama House to crack down on illegal immigration. The Senate Job Creation and Economic Development Committee has put the bill by Republican Rep. Micky Hammon on its agenda for Thursday morning. Hammon's bill is similar to one already passed by the Senate, except it requires businesses to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm that new employees are legal. The committee is also scheduled to consider another bill passed by the House to give a break on state income taxes for new and expanding industries in Alabama. The bill is part of Gov. Robert Bentley's plan to lower the state unemployment rate.