Editorial views from across the state

Enough fiddling: It's time to give AgJobs a chance

Gov. Christine Gregoire is the latest vocal supporter of AgJobs legislation that continues to languish in Congress, joining U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of late in urging its passage. Now we again add our editorial voice to their chorus, backing this immigration reform that has brought together old foes in an unprecedented alliance to begin solving a problem that for too long has been stymied by polarization and political posturing — if not outright racism.

AgJobs is the catchy nickname for twin measures in Congress that would provide a stable, legal agricultural work force. (Use S.359 or H.R.884 if you want to track them on the Internet.) Gregoire's support for the legislation came last week during a Yakima news conference at which she was joined by Mike Gempler, executive director of the Washington Growers League, and Erik Nicholson, Northwest regional director of the United Farm Workers Union.

Gempler and Nicholson are most frequently on opposite sides of the table, but after years of backing opposing plans that netted neither side anything, they have joined in support of AgJobs as a good start toward solving long-standing farm labor/immigration issues. We've met with both as an editorial board and are impressed — and convinced — by their efforts on behalf of AgJobs.

Also in Yakima last week, Murray reiterated her support for the Senate measure, which she and Cantwell co-sponsor, and blamed politics for its limbo status in Congress.

Reintroduced in the current Congress in February, the Senate version has stalled since April, when Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee blocked a debate. Murray says she thinks AgJobs would pass if Frist would allow a floor vote.

One wonders: Why in the name of common sense is Frist blocking a vote on something that is co-sponsored by 48 of his colleagues in the 100-member Senate?

Over in the House, only Rep. Rick Larsen, 2nd District Democrat, is listed from Washington state as a co-sponsor this year. AgJobs has 46 co-sponsors (of 435 House members) from both sides of the aisle in that chamber.

A spokeswoman for 4th District Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, said he favors comprehensive immigration reform and guestworker efforts, though AgJobs is not the only approach being discussed, and he has stated if the latter appears on the floor of the House he would vote for it.

We hope he gets the chance. In fact, we'd challenge Hastings — who is seen as too often simply toeing the line of the Bush White House — to take the lead, along with other Washington House members, and push the House bill and give the public an answer, up or down, on this particular legislation. It's interesting to note that the prime sponsor in the Senate is conservative Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, and his proposal deserves a vote, not political machinations.

AgJobs essentially has two parts:

• The critical component would provide an orderly process for legal residency status. It provides temporary legal status for agricultural workers who worked in the U.S. for 100 workdays in the 18-month period ending Dec. 31, 2004. If they complete additional work in agriculture for 360 days during the six-year period beginning with enactment of the bill, they would become permanent legal residents.

• The H-2A temporary visa program for agriculture would be reformed, making it easier, faster and less expensive for agricultural employers to use. It would still require protections in such areas as housing, workers-compensation insurance and wages for foreign workers recruited and employed under the H-2A program, which is funded through a user fee paid by agricultural employers.

Gregoire said that by itself H-2A is not a solution to the immigration and labor problems facing the state's agriculture industry, but the overall reforms included in the AgJobs approach could be made more meaningful.

A Murray spokeswoman said AgJobs is supported by the United Farm Workers, the National Council of Agricultural Employers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO and the National Council of La Raza. And the Washington Growers League.

Any legislation that has that kind of widespread and diverse support in and out of Congress should have its day — and an up-or-down vote on the floors of both the House and Senate.

Meaningful immigration reform has been paid nothing but lip service for way too long, while the problems only worsen.

It's time for action and a vote. AgJobs offers a solid vehicle for both.

— Yakima Herald-Republic, Oct. 23