From Arizona's governor ...

Watching, these past 7 plus years, how Republicans work one can just imagine the 'feds' working to cause Arizona's crops to fail. The state may lean Republican, but its still rational enough to elect a Democratic Governor.

We've learned that Republicans deal solely in dirty, corrupt and criminal politics. The Republican Authoritarian State uber alles.

Governor, don't trust the Bush appointed gangsters. But I'm sure you know that already ...

Friday, February 29, 2008

Dear Friends,

While the federal government continues to kick the can down the road on comprehensive immigration reform, we all know that Arizona is paying a high price. For instance, about 90 percent of the lettuce served and eaten in the entire country during the winter is grown and picked in Yuma County – but growers there continually report that they can’t find workers for the harvest because of a dysfunctional guest worker system.

The federal H-2A visa system is supposed to allow seasonal workers from other countries to enter the U.S. temporarily to fill these kinds of jobs. But the program is riddled with bureaucratic inefficiencies, and is so unsuccessful that it accounts for only two percent of farm jobs in our country.

It’s essential that even while the federal government fails to make needed reforms in immigration policy, we do what we can to address the challenges of the border in Arizona. That’s why I am proposing that Arizona become a pilot state to test out a revamped temporary guest worker program, so that a broken system doesn’t cause our crops to rot in the fields.

Earlier this month, the federal Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor began a long-overdue process to update the H-2A system and rewrite its regulations to make it work better. This week, in Washington, D.C., I met with Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to talk about needed changes to the H-2A system, and to extend Arizona’s offer to lead in reform efforts and to pilot a new and improved guest worker program. States, particularly border states, are best suited to help develop a sensible program that will help our agricultural communities thrive. I will continue to push this idea forward in Washington, so that Arizona leads on an issue so important to our state.

We must find an interim approach that resolves these agricultural labor woes, creates a more efficient system, and protects the rights of workers. When the federal bureaucracy continues to block real reform, states like Arizona must step up to lead and get things done.

As always, feel free to call my office at 602-542-1318 if you have questions or thoughts. Or, please visit our Web site at www.azgovernor.gov for information and news in state government.

Yours very truly,

Janet Napolitano
Governor