Make English the official language and lose Fed funding (Attorney, United States, Congress)

[borderlord]

Seems everything is not ok in OK.

July 28, 2009


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder seeking justification and clarification for a letter the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent to Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson threatening Oklahoma with a loss of federal funding if the state passed a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the state.

The original DOJ letter, characterized by delegation members as dubiously timed at the peak of legislative debate, advises the state that “implementation of this [English-only] amendment may conflict with Oklahoma’s obligations to protect the civil rights of limited English proficient

(LEP) persons.

SNIP



http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/inde...e-2bce16d5f883

[andornot]

Originally Posted by borderlord

Seems everything is not ok in OK.

SNIP

.: United States Senator James Inhofe :: Press Room :.

Under DOJ regulations implementing Title VI, recipients of federal financial assistance have a responsibility to ensure meaningful access to their programs and activities by LEP [Limited English Proficient] persons. See C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(2). As the Department noted in our Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons, 67 Fed. Reg. 41,455,41,457 (June 18, 2002) (LEP Guidance):... Powered by Google Docs

Seems there's another side of the story. I'm supportive of states, generally, making the call on language. I think the feds are trying to figure out how far Oklahoma plans to go.

Do you or someone else have a link to the proposed (?) Constitutional Amendment? The Oklahoma legislature (though I disagree with that august body on countless issues) is pretty sharp on these proposals.