The liberal AJC allows response to the inaccurate “English only” label for SR 587 – wouldn’t it be great if Lawmakers did too?

Typo : Note, the letter below has the incorrect number on the legislation. It is SR 587, not 577

READERS WRITE

Valid reasons for English as official language

AJC
February 18, 2018

Senate Resolution 577, a constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of government operations, is not— as claimed in a Feb. 11 editorial— “English only” or somehow anti-business.

There are common-sense exceptions for the state and its political subdivisions. They include the teaching of languages other than English, the promotion of diplomacy, trade, commerce and tourism with other languages and protection of the rights of crime victims and criminal defendants if other language usage is required.

By the way, Georgia has an official English-in-government statute, but it contains loopholes that would be closed with this amendment. For one example, the state Department of Driver Services administers the permanent resident driver’s license test in 11 foreign languages. This undermines public safety, since all road signage is in English — and it must end.

This amendment, subject to ratification by a statewide referendum if passed by the legislature, would enhance better communication and save significant taxpayer money by reducing burdensome translation costs. That’s a main reason why Gov. Nathan Deal, when he served in Congress, supported legislation stipulating English as the official language of government. And who dares to accuse him of being anti-business?

STEPHEN GUSCHOV, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRO ENGLISH, WASHINGTON, D.C.