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