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Rather than solve the critical issues in Pennsylvania, certain Harrisburg lawmakers aim to make English the state’s official language.
Robert Vandervoort, of the advocacy group ProEnglish, addressed a hearing Monday at which the state’s only Latina legislator reportedly was interrupted by the committee’s chairman, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, and had her microphone shut off. A video of the exchange, in which state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, appears to be listening in, soon appeared on The Huffington Post.
Dios mío!
Is this a debate that members of our General Assembly – one of the largest and most costly in the nation – need to be having this session?
Hardly.
Officials for months have failed to hammer out a state budget agreeable to all sides, a quagmire that is straining some public school districts and social service agencies forced to borrow funds or cut programs until state money again flows. Why not devote more time to budget negotiations instead of pandering to certain constituencies?
For that matter, why not focus on any of the dozens of pressing problems that impact Keystone State residents’ daily lives? In Northeastern Pennsylvania, for instance, many homeowners have been clamoring for property tax relief. Calls also have arisen for more, or more targeted, school funding.
Can state lawmakers more aggressively confront issues pertaining to autism, dementia, cancer – and help to ensure patients and caretakers get the support they need? What about the prime subjects – crime prevention and job creation – upon which most every state candidate campaigns? How is Pennsylvania handling health and safety concerns regarding natural gas drilling?
Is the state poised to soon become a leader in transportation, innovative technologies … anything? If not, our lawmakers certainly shouldn’t spend their time fretting about English.
The measure, similar to ones adopted so far in 31 states, is touted as a cost-saving move. State and local government offices should not be compelled to spend money to make materials available in multiple languages, proponents say. And the law, sponsored by Republican Rep. Ryan Warner, wisely grants exceptions for lessons on foreign languages in schools and public safety.
However, detractors say it smacks of xenophobia and is unwarranted. Trying to legally compel people to learn English in Pennsylvania is like voting to make oxygen the official state gas; if someone is going to survive and flourish here, they’ll need it. So don’t waste time legislating it.
Interestingly, Pope Francis, who admittedly has trouble speaking English and is expected this week to visit Pennsylvania, addressed a different lawmaking body, Congress, on Thursday and had this to say about foreigners in our midst: “Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated.”
Amen to that.