Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Greetings from Washington D.C.




FNGLA leaders discussing Immigration with Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-21):


September 13-

FNGLA President Halsey Beshears and President-Elect Wes Parrish joined FNGLA CEO Ben Bolusky and myself for a series of meetings with Florida's Congressional leaders in Washington D.C. We will be in meetings throughout the week, however we wanted to provide a brief update on our progress.

FNGLA is joining agricultural groups from around the country in this lobbying effort and our timely visit coincides with several committee hearings on the labor and Immigration issues which directly impact every FNGLA member. This morning following an extensive briefing FNGLA's team sat-in on the Committee on Education and Workforce hearing. Testifying before the committee were a nursery grower and several individuals who know first hand the shortcomings of the current H2-A guest worker program as well as the pitfalls of a mandatory E-Verify system being forced on employers.



Following the hearing, we met with several Florida officals including: Congressmen Deutch (D-19), Ross (R-12), Diaz-Balart (R-21) as well as Congresswoman Adams (R-24). The meetings provided a great opportunity to discuss several different guest worker propsals and to reinforce the negative impacts of well intended yet misguided approaches to the immigration issue. Clearly each of Florida's leaders with whom we met understand that any mandatory E-Verify legislation must be coupled with a functional guest worker program, otherwise we all lose!

In addition, we took the opportunity to discuss the ongoing battle with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) proposed Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Florida waters. FNGLA members should be happy to know the vast majority of Florida's elected leaders understand the catastrophic impacts EPA's proposed rules will have on Florida's economy and the nursery and landscape industry.

Lastly, we continue to set the stage for the upcoming development and debate on the Farm Bill. As many FNGLA members are aware, the Farm Bill is a critical component to continuing Pest and Diesease Research, Inspections, Conservation programs, and as we have enjoyed over the past 4 years an increased emphasis on Specialty Crops such as Florida's diverse nursery industry. Early in this process, our meetings have helped to ensure commitments from key Congressional leaders to carry our banner during the Farm Bill debate.



FNGLA leaders discussing Immigration, Numeric Nutrient Criteria and UF/IFAS research funding with Congressman Dennis Ross (R-12)




Whew! Well as you can see there is much going on here in D.C. and your FNGLA team is making the most of every minute.

Thank you for being FNGLA members!!!


Jim

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Nursery and Landscape Industry responsible for all the problems in the nation and the state!

Nothing like a catchy headline to get your attention and hopefully peek your interest to read this post. Ever have the feeling, you know, what General George A. Custer felt like at the Little Big Horn? You know, where the hell did all of these "Indians" come from--

Well, in today's world, many business owners face a similar battle every day, although with a different outcome than Custer's, I hope. In the nursery and landscape industry, we have to constantly wrestle with consumer purchase patterns and interest, construction or lack thereof, environmental pressures, a growing list of regulatory programs and burdens, increased input costs for everything, decreases in plant and service prices, and now the labor issue has taken center stage at both the state and federal levels. For business owners, it has officially become a full- time job to protect your business -- which is a full-time job itself!

At this point I'm really feeling like the appropriate analogy for the current situation most closely mirrors a verse from a current country music song by Martina McBride: "I ain't complaining, but I am tired so I just saying what I think; and if I were being honest then honestly, I think I need a drink."

Logically, there must be a rational solution to these various issues, right? Yes, I personally believe there is. Yet, it requires each of us to get out of our comfort zones, maybe even just jump out of the box we've been in for years. Each of us has the opportunity to stop quietly surviving day-to-day and make a little noise. We need to become more of the squeaky wheel and less of the ostrich with our heads in the sand.

As an industry, I must say we've really backed ourselves into a corner. We allow groups like the Sierra Club to control city hall and the county commission chambers. Why? Because most of us can't even identify any of our city council members or our county commissioners. We've essentially stopped trying to develop any relationship with the government staff in these local settings. We seem to be content to not care what is done locally. If it gets to the point where it's overly bad, then we simply call on FNGLA to fix the problem for us in Tallahassee.

In the past that has worked. Yet, it's time the old dog learns a few new tricks. Each year, coming to Tallahassee to smack around a local government gets more and more difficult. Recent moves in Tallahassee to get rid of "regulatory functions" or de-regulate certain areas only pushes the duties to the local level. Surely, you know the old adage "Government closest to the people is best for the people." Not sure I totally agree with the statement, yet this is the transition through which we're going.

The same actions are required to address the impending labor/immigration battle which this state is going to face -- again. The Tea Party, the 9/12'ers, FLIMEN (Floridians for Immigration Enforcement)continue to stir the pot painting the ills of illegal immigrants to our state and economy. Their arguments are simple and resonate with folks who don't understand or don't care to think about the consequences. Ladies and gentlemen, each of us must start changing the discussion.

A recent poll indicated 82% of likely voters in Florida support strong state immigration laws. Well, it seems to me the question they should have asked is: "Do you support being dependent on foreign countries for your food supply?" Me thinks, that question would have a similarly strong response against foreign foods.

The groups mentioned above also love to tout the so-called "fact" that illegals don't pay taxes, they're slave labor and their employers pay them less than the minimum wage. Many Americans have bought into this thinking because, yet, again, most people don't understand the absolute absurdity with which these statements are predicated.

So, have you, taken the opportunity to dispel any of these falsities? Have you invited a newspaper reporter, or folks from your Rotary Club, Kiwanis, church, your kid's little league,...anybody? Since the most likely answer is no, then why not? Do you really believe a light is going to shine down from the heavens and policymakers are going to have a moment of clarity and reconsider what they will do?

No! We have to force their hand. We have to make them understand. We have to raise the pressure on them if they don't listen or try to demagogue the issue. We have to develop elected leaders locally and then support them regionally and statewide as they move up the ladders of leadership. Support doesn't just mean saying, "Hey, you're a really great leader." No, support means rolling up your sleeves and going to work. It means calling your neighbors and friends. It means sweat equity. It means money.

The stakes could not be higher or more important. This is your best chance to emerge from the fire as a leader, as an innovator and a champion for your business, your industry, your Association and your State.

Let's not be like Gen. Custer. Let's learn from his mistakes. Let's refuse to keep surviving and start living, start leading. Let's send the message that we're here to stay!

Until next time
Jim