June 15, 2011

AALAC denounces Republican lawmakers mandatory nationwide employer use of E-Verify sponsored by Lamar Smith of Texas 



Should this become law it will drive both employers and employees further underground.  Substantial tax revenue will be lost.  Fewer employers will offer health insurance, so fewer people will have it.  That will create a greater burden on medical providers and hospitals.  This will have a ripple effect throughout the economy and country.  Thumbs Down!

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Atlanta Journal -

Survey suggests farm labor shortage in Georgia.  

Governor Deal has a "partial" solution - in the corrections system.  

According to many, HB87, the Anti - Immigration Bill passed earlier this year has caused migrant farm workers to avoid Georgia.  Farmers don't have the labor needed to harvest the crops of hand picked vegetables and fruits.  

Governor Deal wants to draft unemployed former prisoners who are on probation and parole.  Some minds harken back to the days of the Georgia Chain Gang.  Others fear the need for labor will cause more arrests and convictions in order to meet seasonal labor demands.  One in 13 Georgians are already under the umbrella of the Criminal Justice System.  It's one of the highest rates in the Nation.  

The crops now rotting in the field had been planted when HB87 was signed.  Some wonder if prisoners will be enlisted to plant next season crops or if farmers will switch to other crops which can be harvested by machines.  

This might be a short term,  temporary "fix" but has many flaws.  Prisoners aren't farmers, few have the skill set needed to plant and harvest a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.  It's a migrant job meaning those with criminal records will be moving from one community to the next.  


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PolitiFacts Says Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Wage Figures for Farm Workers are...