Passage of the State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act in 1981 heralded a new approach to federalism. It its 5 years of existence. the fiscal note has proved useful in drafting clearer and more concise policy making and budget decisions. One of the more notable successes of this fiscal note process is the immigration reform bill passed by Congress in 1986. This legislation. which subjects employers to fines who knowingly hire illegal aliens and provides amnesty to perhaps millions of illegals who have lived in the United States since 1982. places an unusually difficult fiscal burden upon State and local governments. Under the act. the State and local governments are better able to identify their responsibility as well as the role and commitment of the U.S. Government.
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immigration illegal aliens