By Georgia Representative Tommy Smith
A large group of farmers and other businessmen, mostly representing Georgia’s agricultural and landscaping industries, gave lawmakers a dire warning about the impact of immigration legislation being considered by lawmakers, as it is currently written. In a letter delivered to the General Assembly last Monday, the group made up of scores of vegetable and fruit farmers, landscapers, and agricultural industry representatives, warned that if significant changes are not included in the legislation, it could threaten Georgia’s 68.8 billion dollar industry. The groups included the Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia AgriBusiness Council, and the Georgia Urban Ag Council.
Dire warning given to lawmakers
Ironically, it was a small group of Southeast Georgia farmers and businessmen from the counties in our area mainly representing the cotton, blueberry, and pecan industry who helped to initiate discussion among the state’s leadership as to the need for changes within the immigration legislation. I had arranged for the group to meet with Governor Nathan Deal, House Speaker David Ralston, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle on Thursday, March 24. Joining us in those meetings were Represenatives Chad Nimmer of Pierce County and Jason Shaw of Clinch County.
Many in the delegation had to leave south Georgia around 3:00 o’clock in the morning, and fight the Atlanta commuter traffic in order to arrive at my office at 8:15 for an 8:30 meeting with the Governor. The south Georgia delegation explained to the Governor that while they understood the need for immigration reform, the bill as it was currently written would cripple the blueberry and other farming interests in rural Georgia. They explained that this in turn would have a ripple effect on businesses throughout the area, therefore having a very negative impact on an already fragile rural economy. Governor Deal spent about 40 minutes with us sharing that while immigration reform is needed in the state, he understood the concerns of the group. The Governor was very cordial and seemed to be in agreement that changes to the bill were needed.
Our next meeting was with the Speaker of the House, David Ralston, who is from rural north Georgia. The Speaker shared with the group that his area of the state was dependent on immigrant workers in the poultry and apple industry. He gave us as much time as we wanted and said that he would work with the south Georgia farmers by making sure that a legislator from our area would serve on the conference committee to hammer out the final version of the bill. House Rules requires that a legislator vote yes on the original vote on the measure in order to be eligible to serve on the conference committee.
We then met with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle who was very receptive as well. The Lt. Governor said that he was aware of a number of problems with the bill as it was written, and would work with the group to insure that the final version of the immigration reform legislation would not be detrimental to rural Georgia or our state’s economy.
A few days later another group from our area came to Atlanta, and along with a number of legislators from south Georgia, met with Representative Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City, who is sponsoring the House immigration bill, HB87. We explained to Rep. Ramsey that we supported immigration reforms, but felt there needed to be more input from the blueberry, cotton, strawberry, onion, pecan and vegetable businesses in how the reforms were implemented.
At the time of this writing, the contents of the final version of the immigration reform bill are yet unknown. Whether it will receive a final vote this session or be given a year to study the details of the proposal is also uncertain. One thing is for sure, whatever is done on immigration and other pressing issues will take place this week, as the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn Sine Die on Thursday, April 14. I would like to thank those of you who were able to come to Atlanta and express your concerns, as well as those who called, emailed, or wrote to me on immigration and other issues to be voted on during the 2011 legislative session.
Almost all of the major issues brought forth during this year’s legislative session will be finalized and voted on this week. I ask for your advice, and your prayers that I will have God’s wisdom in deciding how to vote on each one of these measures. If you would like to contact me and express your opinion, I can be reached at 404-656-5105 or tommy.smith@house.ga.gov.
The Georgia House begins each day with a devotional and prayer. During this session, Pastor Kenneth H. Coomer Jr of the Adairsville Church of God warned House members that Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD: he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. He also said, “ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galations 6:9).
Many in the delegation had to leave south Georgia around 3:00 o’clock in the morning, and fight the Atlanta commuter traffic in order to arrive at my office at 8:15 for an 8:30 meeting with the Governor. The south Georgia delegation explained to the Governor that while they understood the need for immigration reform, the bill as it was currently written would cripple the blueberry and other farming interests in rural Georgia. They explained that this in turn would have a ripple effect on businesses throughout the area, therefore having a very negative impact on an already fragile rural economy. Governor Deal spent about 40 minutes with us sharing that while immigration reform is needed in the state, he understood the concerns of the group. The Governor was very cordial and seemed to be in agreement that changes to the bill were needed.
Our next meeting was with the Speaker of the House, David Ralston, who is from rural north Georgia. The Speaker shared with the group that his area of the state was dependent on immigrant workers in the poultry and apple industry. He gave us as much time as we wanted and said that he would work with the south Georgia farmers by making sure that a legislator from our area would serve on the conference committee to hammer out the final version of the bill. House Rules requires that a legislator vote yes on the original vote on the measure in order to be eligible to serve on the conference committee.
We then met with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle who was very receptive as well. The Lt. Governor said that he was aware of a number of problems with the bill as it was written, and would work with the group to insure that the final version of the immigration reform legislation would not be detrimental to rural Georgia or our state’s economy.
A few days later another group from our area came to Atlanta, and along with a number of legislators from south Georgia, met with Representative Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City, who is sponsoring the House immigration bill, HB87. We explained to Rep. Ramsey that we supported immigration reforms, but felt there needed to be more input from the blueberry, cotton, strawberry, onion, pecan and vegetable businesses in how the reforms were implemented.
At the time of this writing, the contents of the final version of the immigration reform bill are yet unknown. Whether it will receive a final vote this session or be given a year to study the details of the proposal is also uncertain. One thing is for sure, whatever is done on immigration and other pressing issues will take place this week, as the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn Sine Die on Thursday, April 14. I would like to thank those of you who were able to come to Atlanta and express your concerns, as well as those who called, emailed, or wrote to me on immigration and other issues to be voted on during the 2011 legislative session.
Almost all of the major issues brought forth during this year’s legislative session will be finalized and voted on this week. I ask for your advice, and your prayers that I will have God’s wisdom in deciding how to vote on each one of these measures. If you would like to contact me and express your opinion, I can be reached at 404-656-5105 or tommy.smith@house.ga.gov.
The Georgia House begins each day with a devotional and prayer. During this session, Pastor Kenneth H. Coomer Jr of the Adairsville Church of God warned House members that Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD: he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. He also said, “ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galations 6:9).
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