Georgia's Hispanic legislators hope that 2008 will be an easier year for them than 2007 was. At a breakfast this morning, they told Latino leaders that the General Assembly should focus on issues that affect everybody... not just on immigration.
Last year, the caucus fought bills that would make English Georgia's official language, and toughen penalties for driving without a valid in-state license. Representative Tony Sellier of Fort Valley hopes the assembly will move beyond what he calls the 'anger rhetoric' to solve
real problems. He says, "My focus is not on immigration. That's federal. My changes are education, transportation, water plans.
Jerry Gonzales, head of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, says other, non-Hispanic legislators, should agree, "Latino voting strength in Georgia as of November 2007 is at 93,000 strong, and that can make a difference in a competitive statewide election, so legislators need to be careful what they do."
Gonzales intends to further increase voter registration among Georgia's Latinos.
Last year, the caucus fought bills that would make English Georgia's official language, and toughen penalties for driving without a valid in-state license. Representative Tony Sellier of Fort Valley hopes the assembly will move beyond what he calls the 'anger rhetoric' to solve
real problems. He says, "My focus is not on immigration. That's federal. My changes are education, transportation, water plans.
Jerry Gonzales, head of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, says other, non-Hispanic legislators, should agree, "Latino voting strength in Georgia as of November 2007 is at 93,000 strong, and that can make a difference in a competitive statewide election, so legislators need to be careful what they do."
Gonzales intends to further increase voter registration among Georgia's Latinos.
