Gov. Warner (VA) signs measure denying public benefits to illegal aliens

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner yesterday signed into law a measure that denies illegal aliens public benefits, including access to Medicaid, welfare and local health care services. "I have signed this legislation into law but will ask the Latino Advisory Commission to study and monitor the legislation to ensure that it is fairly implemented and does not impose undue costs on local governments," said Mr. Warner, a Democrat who is in his last year in office. Delegate David B. Albo, a sponsor of the measure, applauded the governor's decision. "It will help the state," the Fairfax County Republican said yesterday. "I expect it will save us millions and millions of dollars. This bill stops subsidizing the behavior of illegal immigration." There is no official local or state estimate of how many taxpayer dollars would be saved, since the agencies do not track how many illegals currently receive such benefits. [more]