Thread: Washington governor visits Mexico to promote businesses, pro

Washington governor visits Mexico to promote businesses, products

07/10/2007

Associated Press


Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire on Tuesday criticized the construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border and lamented the U.S. Congress' failure to approve an immigration reform bill.

Gregoire is in Mexico City on a five-day trade mission to promote Washington wine, apples and cherries. She said her state's agricultural industry would greatly benefit from an immigration reform bill.

"If we don't have immigration reform ... Washington state will suffer," Gregoire said, adding that a shortage of workers last year forced apple growers to leave part of their crop on their trees.

Gregoire plans to meet President Felipe Calderon on Wednesday to talk about educational exchanges and ways to increase Washington's exports to Mexico.

Gregoire, who arrived Monday on Aeromexico's inaugural direct flight from Seattle to the Mexican capital, said Mexico is one of Washington's top 10 trade partners.

Last year, Mexican companies bought $207 million in food and agricultural products from Washington, including $128 million in apples.

http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStor ... 00680.html

These states are to much, willing to give away our quality of life for farmers pocket books, all of the U.S. should stop buying Washingtion apples and Idaho Patato's which Craig has sold us out for.

a shortage of workers last year forced apple growers to leave part of their crop on their trees.

And YET, the stores were FULL of apples from Washington State......go figure!

Wash gov. laments migration bill's fate

July 10, 2007
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire lamented U.S. lawmakers' recent failure to pass a bill that could have legalized millions of undocumented migrants, saying Tuesday in Mexico that immigration reform is vital for her state's agricultural industry.

On a five-day trade mission to promote Washington wine, apples and cherries, Gregoire said a shortage of workers last year forced apple growers to leave part of their crop on their trees.

"If we don't have immigration reform ... Washington state will suffer," she added.

Gregoire, a Democrat, also criticized a planned 700-mile border-security fence approved by the U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush.

She plans to meet with President Felipe Calderon on Wednesday to discuss educational exchanges and ways to increase Washington's exports to Mexico.

Gregoire said Mexico is one of her state's top 10 trade partners. Last year, the country bought some $210 million in food and agricultural products from Washington, including $130 million in apples.

Gregoire, who arrived Monday on Aeromexico's inaugural direct flight from Seattle to the Mexican capital, also visited a local branch of the Seattle-based coffee chain Starbucks.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... A0TTO0.htm