Facing hurdles in getting illegal immigration legislation passed, Rep. Gayle Harrell has taken the usual step of sending, at taxpayer expense, campaign-style mailers to constituents. The colorful fliers urge people to join the call for tougher laws.

"Dear neighbor," it reads, "we need to take matters into our own hands, since the federal government has refused to act." Harrell, R-Stuart, goes on to explain HB 821, which allows local law enforcement to report the immigration status of anyone caught committing a felony, among other things.

The bill will be workshopped this afternoon, but House Speaker Marco Rubio is cold to advancing anti-immigration measures because he views it as a federal issue.

"It was approved," by House leaders, Harrell told the Buzz. She said up to 5,000 mailers were delivered to her district. UPDATE: Harrell said the cost was about $9,000 and it came from a fund lawmakers use to send out newsletters.

Harrell is running for congress and the mailer raises questions. She denied it was intended to do anything other than raise the profile of an issue before the Legislature. "It's an appropriate use of state money," she said.