Migration debate’s economic impact is wide
I certainly appreciated Daniel González’s article “Farmers, laborers caught in middle of migrant debate” Monday). While securing the border and giving individuals a path to citizenship are getting all the headlines, issues such as these continue to simmer in the immigration debate.
I wonder if the people who have dug their heels in on either side of the debate know how much the agricultural community needs comprehensive reform. Do those same people know how much the tech community needs reform because of the outdated visa system?
There is so much more than just closing the border and making illegals legal. There are so many economic ramifications at stake in this debate, and I’m glad that Mr. Gonzalez highlighted them.
— Jean Grace,
Inmates as farmworkers
Regarding “Farmers, laborers caught in the middle of migrant debate” Monday):
If farmers are left with broccoli and cabbage rotting in the fields, why don’t they work out a program with the state or federal prison systems to get some help doing their farmwork?
We have more than 2 million people incarcerated in this country — many of them are capable of a good day’s work. Call them “Guarded chain gangs” or “Americans helping Americans,” either way, you’ve got workers. Who else is needed? They are already on the payroll.
— James Wall,
We’ve devalued courtesy
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I have been following the issues regarding student loan interest rates. It seems that there is a bit of an uproar, with the possibility of rates ranging from about 3.5 percent to about 6.5 percent.
What I find interesting is that there is no mention of those of us who are paying 8.25 percent for Stafford loans now. I have been paying 8.25 percent since I started repaying my loans over 15 years ago.
In spite of a perfect payment record, I will never see a lower rate. Why? Because I made the mistake of consolidating loans within a couple of years after starting repayment, which locks me into that rate for life. I am scheduled to pay these off in another 22 years.
So what about that, legislators? What about the rest of us who have been paying at least double in interest? How about helping us out? Fat chance, I know.
— Steve Hartland,
Pick Gallego for District 8
most of us, including the other candidates, are unfamiliar.
Kate’s expertise in planning and her service on economicdevelopment councils benefit south Phoenix. She used examples of real-people challenges of the district she will serve, proving she’s a servant of the people.
For all those undecided voters who live in District 8, Kate is the first candidate to have detailed a plan of action, which you can check out at gallego 4phoenix.com.
Kate Gallego is my choice for District 8.
— Erika Keenan,
Financial-literacy leader
A recent Champlain College report gave Arizona a “B” in teaching financial literacy to high-school students. This is a credit to a critical collaboration of educators, the Arizona Legislature, the business community and non-profit organizations working to help individuals lift themselves out of poverty.
The Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College cited, among other positive steps, Arizona’s new requirement that financial literacy be incorporated into other subject areas. Our vision at the Arizona Council on Economic Education is for every K-12 student in the state to learn personal finance and economics. ACEE, founded in 1997, can offer most programs at no or low cost thanks to financial support from corporations, small businesses, foundations and individuals.
The economic reality that one out of four children in Arizona lives in poverty only fuels our commitment to teach young people valuable life skills about spending, saving, income and investing.
With all the negative press about Arizona’s educational rankings, to see our state among the top 15 states in the country in economic and personal-finance education is impressive and a step in the right direction.
— Elena Zee,
Litter a problem on river