Governor Denies Ag Worker Housing Changes Pt 2
I’m Bob Larson. With harvest season fast approaching, frustration can be felt around the state after Governor Inslee’s Monday decision to stick with the emergency rules for farmworker housing.
Washington Farm Bureau CEO John Stuhlmiller says with a high vaccination rate in agriculture, these rules are outdated …
STUHLMILLER … “Nothing has changed since March 15th of 2020, essentially that’s what they’re saying. And so, you’ve got to be under all these rules, forget the facts, let’s just stick with what we know, which is, ag is dangerous and to save people from COVID you have to do those proclamation guidelines and the emergency rules stay in effect until we tell you.”
It feels, Stuhlmiller says like the misguided activist groups are getting the consideration …
STUHLMILLER … “Clearly, ag is not first and foremost in the thought of having a successful food growing season, and harvesting season is not first and foremost. And so, it’s a different perspective that’s getting the most play there.”
Stuhlmiller says we’ve proven we can handle this …
STUHLMILLER … “The statistics show you that ag is not unsafe in the way it’s treating COVID. And, we believe employers can be entrusted to take care of their workers like they always do and work our way through it with some relaxation of those rules to make it more comfortable and easier, and frankly, safer for workers.”
Stuhlmiller urges everyone to contact their representatives in Olympia and let them know why this is wrong.
