Hispanic Activists Support Tougher Immigration Laws:  SB 185, a bill in the Texas Legislature that would stop cities from enforcing policies that ban police officers from asking immigration-related questions to detainees, is gaining significant support from Hispanic Texans.  Kristine Galvan of My Fox Houston reports that supporters feel strongly that police officers need to have "all the tools available to them to keep us safe," which would include asking questions to arrestees and suspicious persons regarding legal status.  Maria Espinoza, director of the Remembrance Project, an organization that works with families of American citizens killed by illegal immigrants, is recruiting Hispanic conservatives to voice their support of SB 185.

Pension-Forfeiture Bill Proposed for Child Predator Teachers:  Washington State Senator Barbara Bailey has introduced a bill that would strip the pensions of persons in violation of the public trust, such as a teacher convicted of child molestation.  Dan Springer of Fox News reports that in the state currently, 22 of the 130 teachers who lost their licenses are convicted felons that are costing taxpayers $2 million to pay their pensions.  The Washington Education Association is challenging the bill, arguing that "the criminal justice system should have no bearing on a public employee's retirement benefits."

Violent Crime Up 26% In LA:   Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told the police commission Tuesday that violent crime in the city was up 26%.  The Chief reported that property crime rose by 11% and that serious crime has climbed 14% so far this year.  Richard Winton of the LA Times reports that the surge of violence was driven in part by a spike in aggravated assaults, which began last year and is still climbing.  The Chief noted that many of the increased assaults were domestic violence and alcohol-fueled street attacks.  Last year a Times investigation found that 1,200 violent or serious crimes had been misclassified  by the Department as low-level offenses.