JEFFERSON CITY - Jay Nixon’s latest attempt to appear tough on immigration is a fraud based on a political survey in which he unequivocally supports providing state sponsored benefits to illegal immigrants.

According to a 1998 Project Vote Smart survey completed by Nixon, he supported the following immigration issue included in the survey: “Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children.” A copy of the Vote Smart Survey is available at http://www.mogop.org/media/votesmart.pdf

Nixon failed to mention (and the media never bothered to check) his 1998 stance on illegal immigration, which is in stark contrast to Gov. Matt Blunt’s very public opposition to illegal immigration illustrated by the recent suspension of a state contractor that hired illegal immigrants to work in state buildings.

“Jay Nixon is a political fraud who feigns outrage about illegal immigrants while the record clearly shows that he supports using Missourians’ tax dollars to benefit illegal immigrants,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party.