Arkansas GOP Director at odds with State Republicans

ARRA Update on latest news about RPA News: Karen Ray, Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) Executive Director, has stirred up a furor by speaking and possibly advocating and working outside of of her official office duties. She is an office manager and facilitator for growing the RPA and assisting in the election of Republicans to office. She holds no political position in the party. However, according to several sources, she has audaciously exceeded her authority as RPA executive director especially in confronting an elected official and urging them to back off on addressing illegal immigration. Maybe she relapsed to when she was the Confidential Asst to the Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Although unconfirmed, sources say that Ray may be assisting the lobbying efforts of the Farm Bureau and aiding in drafting immigration legislation for next session that would benefit employers. If proven true, a serious conflict of interest could exist!

Background Story reported by the Arkansas News Bureau: by John Lyon, Arkansas News Bureau: In an e-mail to a Republican legislator, the state executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas cautioned against "feel-good legislation" to combat illegal immigration.

RPA chairman Dennis Milligan said Wednesday he had not seen the e-mail sent by party director Karen Ray, but he said illegal immigration is a problem that has to be solved at the federal level, not the state level. "Passing fair policies that make it easier for businesses to locate in Arkansas should be our priority, not passing feel-good legislation that is unconstitutional and runs the risk of making our party look racist. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh," Ray wrote in the e-mail. She also wrote that that lawmakers "should be championing economic policies that create jobs, not introducing immigration legislation that makes Arkansas less attractive to business."

[ARRA Note: another source identify her words as follows: "I understand that fighting hard for your constituents' wants is very important. But I think as an elected official, it is more important that you fight for what they need, not necessarily what they want. Passing fair policies that make it easier for businesses to locate in Arkansas should be our priority, not passing feel-good legislation that is unconstitutional and runs the risk of making our party look racist. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh. Arkansas needs better economic development incentives. Beebe has lost out on a few plants already. I think y'all should be championing economic policies that create JOBS, not introducing immigration legislation that makes Arkansas less attractive to business."]

Ray said Wednesday her comments were not meant to reflect the state party's views. "With that being said, the Republican Party being an all-inclusive party is firmly committed to policies that provide economic growth for industry in Arkansas and better paying jobs for all Arkansans. I have an obligation to listen to concerns from all entities involved in this discussion," Ray told The Associated Press in an e-mail. . . . {Oops - another email with code words -- "ignore what I said, I have obligations to listen" -- maybe to listen but not to speak!}

Rep. Rick Green (R-Van Buren) one of a group of legislators leading an interim study on the effects of illegal immigration on the state, said Wednesday he disagreed with the opinions expressed in the e-mail but had not yet had a chance to discuss them with Ray. . . . Ray apparently was expressing her opinion in a conversation she believed was private, which was her right, Green said."I don't think the party as a whole is involved in this issue," he said . . . {Read Green's comments in NWA News below}

But with both the executive director and the chairman of the state Republican Party speaking against immigration reform at the state level, the party leadership appears to be at odds with Green and other Republican lawmakers who say the state may need to act on immigration. Green said it is too soon to say what kind of legislation, if any, may result from the interim study, but he said in the absence of immigration reform at the federal level, the Legislature has a responsibility at least to study the issue. ". . . people want us to be forthright about money being spent, and they want us to follow suit with what some of these other states are doing to crack down on illegal activity." Milligan's predecessor as GOP chairman, Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, supported taking at least some action on immigration at the state level. . . . [Read More]

Excerpt from NWA News - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: GOP official chides legislator on aliens policies: . . . Her (Ray's) comments came as some Republican lawmakers have been pushing for stricter laws against illegal immigration. A legislative panel held a hearing Tuesday over the cost of government services provided to those in the state illegally. Rep. Rick Green (R-Van Buren) said he had been read the e-mail and was concerned by Ray’s remarks. Green and Rep. Jon Woods (R-Springdale) have been pushing for information on illegal aliens. Green said he hoped to meet soon with Ray about her remarks. “My initial concern was we had our director chastising a legislator for what they thought was best for their area. This conversation should never have taken place. All we’re doing is a study here,” Green said. “Part of my conversation will be how did she get involved in this.” . . . [Read More]

The Arkansas Times Blog Immigration Mailbag is a buzz with comments: . . . Ray has been quoted as saying she'll be working with the Farm Bureau on immigration legislation. That is, the legislation will protect farmers' dependency on immigrant labor, to the extent possible. . . . Karen has been asked by the Farm Bureau to be on their board to draft immigration legislation next session. Is this not a huge conflict of interest? . . . [Read More] Note: ARRA has not confirmed these remarks are true.


1st Day: Karen Ray Talks about being new RPA Exec. Director

---

Tags: Arkansas Republican Party, Dennis Milligan, illegal aliens, illegal immigration, Karen Ray, Rick Green, RPA To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!