06/13/07 Still optimism on immigration reform

Washington Ag June 13, 2007 Is immigration reform and a new guest worker program dead or alive in Congress? The so called compromise bill failed to get enough votes in the Senate to cut off debate and move to a vote. But Dan Fazio with the Washington State Farm Bureau remains optimistic we'll still see a bill make it through. Fazio: "I think it is going somewhere. I think we are going to get it done. I look at this more as a breather, a time out more than anything else. We are looking forward to some bipartisan leadership that we have seen already continuing over. I think they have a couple of other bills. They are going to let this one rest. I'll call it a time out again. I think we are going to see it back again. We're disappointed and this is a setback but I am not discouraged." President Bush talks optimistically too telling reporters he'll see them at the bill signing. Three tours are coming up in northeastern Washington where farmers can learn about managing the cereal leaf beetle with biological controls and chemicals. There will be a tours at Colville and Chewelah Wednesday June 20th and at Peone Prairie Tuesday June 26th. Check with Dianna Roberts at Spokane County Extension for times and starting locations. I'm Bob Hoff.