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THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE MADISON TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER |
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MEOC opposes SB 43 mandating WHEDA to require Social Security numbers from the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission It was with regret and dismay that the city of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission learned of the proposed bill being referred to the committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, Military Affairs, Small Business and Government Reform. This bill would prohibit the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) “from making, buying, or assuming a home mortgage loan for an individual who does not have a Social Security Number.” WHEDA’s services offer individuals and families with low and moderate incomes the opportunity to own a home. While WHEDA does not require a Social Security Number, it is our understanding that a tax identification number is required. The Internal Revenue Service issues individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Numbe (SSN). This means that WHEDA loans only go to individuals who are already paying taxes to the state and federal government and would not be able to get this mortgage if SSN were required. The WHEDA program helps individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Hmong, Laotians, Africans, Jamaicans, Russians, Hispanics, Croatians, and other groups. This bill would adversely affect the ability of these groups to become homeowners and to strengthen their ties to our community. Such a bill would discriminate against these individuals by creating a disparate impact, based upon their status as aliens. The MEOC respectfully opposes this bill because of the likely discriminatory impact and ostracization of important and growing segments of our community.
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