Baptists support legal ‘path’, not ‘amnesty,’ for illegal immigrants

Southern Baptists adopted a resolution Wednesday that supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants but clearly states they reject “amnesty.”

After heated debate at their annual meeting in Phoenix, the Baptists approved a statement that called for secure borders and “a just and compassionate path to legal status, with appropriate restitutionary measures” for illegal immigrants already in the U.S.

Some delegates said the language on “legal status” was tantamount to amnesty, prompting an almost equally divided vote over whether to remove it. In response, officials added language that said: “This resolution is not to be construed as support for amnesty for any undocumented immigrant.”

After Tuesday’s election that put an African-American pastor in the denomination’s No. 2 leadership position, and plans to increase ethnic diversity, the resolution emphasized the church should minister regardless of a person’s immigration status or country of origin.

Full Article

Posted in Political, Spiritual | Comments Off on Baptists support legal ‘path’, not ‘amnesty,’ for illegal immigrants

Tampa city council considers a panhandling ban for 6 days a week, not Sundays

TAMPA, Fla. – As panhandling continues to rise in the bay area, so does the frustration among many neighbors dealing with those begging along local streets. Tampa city leaders have been trying to come up with a solution to deal with the problem and now, they may follow in the footsteps of another local community.

Just last week, Pasco County discussed a proposed ordinance which would allow panhandling only on Sundays. The preliminary ordinance of a six-day panhandling ban would not allow roadside sales, marketing and collection activities that pose possible safety problems or potentially impede traffic on the county’s busy intersections for any day but Sunday.

On Thursday, June 16, the Tampa City Council is having a workshop to discuss the same issue. It begins at 9 a.m. in old City Hall at 315 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa. The City Attorney, Tampa Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office will discuss policy issues relating to street solicitation in medians and intersections.

Under Pasco’s ban, anyone soliciting money on the roadside must be at least 18 and would be required to carry a state-issued photo identification and wear a high-visibility vest. The six-day-a-week ban applies to all state, county and most local roadways.

Full Article

Posted in Interesting | Comments Off on Tampa city council considers a panhandling ban for 6 days a week, not Sundays