Governor Brian Kemp (Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah: school, bill, approval)

[Born 2 Roll]

After experiencing significant losses in the Atlanta suburbs that Republicans had dominated for decades, incoming Governor-elect Brian Kemp and the ruling Georgia Republican legislative majority appear to be shying away from divisive social issues (like most notably Religious Liberty, abortion and guns), for now.

Georgia Republicans look to be shying away from divisive social issues in favor of focusing on "pocketbook issues" like expanding broadband service to rural areas, rural health care, and rural economic development, for the time being.

But some observers (including Georgia legislative Democrats and the business community) fear that divisive and hot-button social issues will rear their ugly head in a political environment where incoming Governor-elect Kemp energized his large base of deeply-conservative rural and exurban voters by campaigning in part on hot-button issues that those voters want and expect to see legislative action on like Religious Liberty, guns rights expansion, toughening abortion restrictions, and cracking down on illegal immigration.

"Georgia Republicans refocus on pocketbook issues after suburban losses" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Weeks after Georgia Republicans suffered a wave of defeats across metro Atlanta, the party’s leaders are promising to focus on pocketbook issues rather than fights over social divides that energize the GOP’s rural base.

At last week’s biennial training session for legislators in Athens and in the hallways under the Gold Dome, the talk centered on improving rural development, increasing education funding and improving health care.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

After experiencing significant losses in the Atlanta suburbs that Republicans had dominated for decades, incoming Governor-elect Brian Kemp and the ruling Georgia Republican legislative majority appear to be shying away from divisive social issues (like most notably Religious Liberty, abortion and guns), for now.

Georgia Republicans look to be shying away from divisive social issues in favor of focusing on "pocketbook issues" like expanding broadband service to rural areas, rural health care, and rural economic development, for the time being.

But some observers (including Georgia legislative Democrats and the business community) fear that divisive and hot-button social issues will rear their ugly head in a political environment where incoming Governor-elect Kemp energized his large base of deeply-conservative rural and exurban voters by campaigning in part on hot-button issues that those voters want and expect to see legislative action on like Religious Liberty, guns rights expansion, toughening abortion restrictions, and cracking down on illegal immigration.

"Georgia Republicans refocus on pocketbook issues after suburban losses" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

I’m sorry but cracking down on illegal immigration is just the right thing to do. GA does not want to become a sanctuary state.

And this is coming from an immigrant.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by markjames68

I’m sorry but cracking down on illegal immigration is just the right thing to do. GA does not want to become a sanctuary state.

And this is coming from an immigrant.

I personally have no disagreement with enforcing the law, particularly when it comes to deterring undocumented immigrants from driving without licenses, and when it comes to enforcing serious crimes like violent crime, illegal drug smuggling, human trafficking and fraud.

But as evidenced during the state's illegal immigration crackdown back in 2011, the state can go too far, particularly in agriculture where much of the state's immigrant workforce (which is largely undocumented) was scared out of rural and exurban Georgia, leaving large portions of the state's hand-harvested agricultural crops to rot in the fields with the acute shortage of labor, and driving up food (produce) prices during a then-very slow (slow-as-molasses) economic recovery in the early 2010's.

Like it or not, the tough reality is that much of the state's economy (especially the state's multibillion-dollar agriculture industry, but also many other very small businesses that are labor-dependent and labor-intensive) are very heavily dependent on undocumented immigrant labor.

As was experienced during what turned out to be a very brief state illegal immigration crackdown back in 2011, the state's top-tier multibillion-dollar agriculture industry likely would collapse without said undocumented immigrant labor.

Also as was experienced back during the state's illegal immigration crackdown during Nathan Deal's first year in office as governor in 2011, the economic fallout from the boycotts of the state by business, tourism and convention groups who objected to what they viewed as race-baiting demagoguery of the issue also would (again) be felt in the state's service and convention industries (economic sectors which metro Atlanta are extremely heavily dependent upon).

Georgia also already is not a sanctuary state and by state law prevents any of its local and municipal governments from becoming 'sanctuary cities.'

Laws against illegal immigration should be enforced. But those laws against illegal immigration can and should be enforced without the type of over-the-top race-baiting demagoguery that does severe harm to the state's economy.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

I personally have no disagreement with enforcing the law, particularly when it comes to deterring undocumented immigrants from driving without licenses, and when it comes to enforcing serious crimes like violent crime, illegal drug smuggling, human trafficking and fraud.

But as evidenced during the state's illegal immigration crackdown back in 2011, the state can go too far, particularly in agriculture where much of the state's immigrant workforce (which is largely undocumented) was scared out of rural and exurban Georgia, leaving large portions of the state's hand-harvested agricultural crops to rot in the fields with the acute shortage of labor, and driving up food (produce) prices during a then-very slow (slow-as-molasses) economic recovery in the early 2010's.

Like it or not, the tough reality is that much of the state's economy (especially the state's multibillion-dollar agriculture industry, but also many other very small businesses that are labor-dependent and labor-intensive) are very heavily dependent on undocumented immigrant labor.

As was experienced during what turned out to be a very brief state illegal immigration crackdown back in 2011, the state's top-tier multibillion-dollar agriculture industry likely would collapse without said undocumented immigrant labor.

Also as was experienced back during the state's illegal immigration crackdown during Nathan Deal's first year in office as governor in 2011, the economic fallout from the boycotts of the state by business, tourism and convention groups who objected to what they viewed as race-baiting demagoguery of the issue also would (again) be felt in the state's service and convention industries (economic sectors which metro Atlanta are extremely heavily dependent upon).

Georgia also already is not a sanctuary state and by state law prevents any of its local and municipal governments from becoming 'sanctuary cities.'

Laws against illegal immigration should be enforced. But those laws against illegal immigration can and should be enforced without the type of over-the-top race-baiting demagoguery that does severe harm to the state's economy.

Fair points. We don't need race-baiting rhetoric, that's for sure.

The solution to undocumented labor though is to get them documented, not to turn a blind eye. Canada seems to be successful with seasonal farm and labor visas, and I thought the US also had that option with the H-2A and H-2.

But that's a federal issue, not GA's. Maybe with the change in the House something will get done but I doubt it.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by markjames68

Fair points. We don't need race-baiting rhetoric, that's for sure.

The solution to undocumented labor though is to get them documented, not to turn a blind eye. Canada seems to be successful with seasonal farm and labor visas, and I thought the US also had that option with the H-2A and H-2.

But that's a federal issue, not GA's. Maybe with the change in the House something will get done but I doubt it.

Yes, the U.S. does have that option with the H-2A and H-2 visas.

Though not all employers/companies (particularly the smallest employers/companies) do participate in those visa programs.

Some employers/companies have complained of the slowness and inefficiency of dealing with the government bureaucracy while other employers/companies (particularly some of the smaller and smallest employers/companies) pay cash to undocumented laborers under the table to minimize tax liability.

Basically participation and enforcement in those programs is not always 100%, both with larger and (especially) smaller employers.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Yes, the U.S. does have that option with the H-2A and H-2 visas.

Though not all employers/companies (particularly the smallest employers/companies) do participate in those visa programs.

Some employers/companies have complained of the slowness and inefficiency of dealing with the government bureaucracy while other employers/companies (particularly some of the smaller and smallest employers/companies) pay cash to undocumented laborers under the table to minimize tax liability.

Basically participation and enforcement in those programs is not always 100%, both with larger and (especially) smaller employers.

I would be more than pleased if roadblocks to seasonal visas were removed. Taxes will get collected and filed, and both employers and workers are on the hook.

I had to go through a lot to come, live, stay and become a US citizen. I expect no less from anyone.

[midgeorgiaman]

If they couldn't find work, they wouldn't come. Want to reduce illegal immigration, enforcement of labor laws must be part of the solution and Feds must take the lead. No community in America would tolerate a bar that regularly served alcohol to teens (the law) but roofers, landscapers, cleaning companies, ag, etc can employ illegal immigrants without much social outcry. Just as with children...what you permit,you promote! To imply that we (legal citizens) are victims in this is ignoring the fact that we (society as a whole) support the profits and inexpensive-ness (off cheap labor) by looking the other way. Kemp could try "rounding up illegals " if he wants...but he won't. Pure campaign scare tactics. Feds must fix this or neighboring states will be more than happy to capatalize on a state only enforcement plan.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by markjames68

I’m sorry but cracking down on illegal immigration is just the right thing to do. GA does not want to become a sanctuary state.

And this is coming from an immigrant.

The anti-immigrant argument is a bogeyman designed to distract us from the real issues: Wealth inequality, lack of education and career opportunities for many people, the complete cluster known as private health insurance, and so forth.

Furthermore, as a claimed immigrant, you should know better than to repeat that hysteria.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

The anti-immigrant argument is a bogeyman designed to distract us from the real issues: Wealth inequality, lack of education and career opportunities for many people, the complete cluster known as private health insurance, and so forth.

Furthermore, as a claimed immigrant, you should know better than to repeat that hysteria.

Bullseye. These are the issues that stare us in the face every day.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

The anti-immigrant argument is a bogeyman designed to distract us from the real issues: Wealth inequality, lack of education and career opportunities for many people, the complete cluster known as private health insurance, and so forth.

Furthermore, as a claimed immigrant, you should know better than to repeat that hysteria.

Excellent points, toll_booth. An "invasion" is generally carried out by armed troops looking to take over a nation. These folks are refugees escaping despots, fear and miserable living conditions to seek shelter in the greatest country the world has ever known. That so many Americans have lost compassion is a heartbreaking development and tears at what has always made America great.