Illegal immigrants net profits for Texas
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn issued a special report on the effects of undocumented immigrants on the state. "The absence of the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in Texas in fiscal 2005 would have been a loss to our gross state product of $17.7 billion," Strayhorn said. "Undocumented immigrants produced $1.58 billion in state revenues, which exceeded the $1.16 billion in state services they received." Illegal immigrants contributed to state revenues through sales taxes, user taxes and various other fees, according the report. It did not estimate how much in federal taxes, including Social Security and Medicare, were paid by illegal immigrants.

Counties, cities pay the price for Texas illegals
The Texas comptroller's report stated that illegal aliens in the state cost local governments $1.44 billion in 2005. These dollars are not compensated for by state revenues. These expenses include health care and law enforcement costs. The report estimates that undocumented immigrants paid $513 in various local taxes in 2005. Illegal aliens cost the state's hospitals $1.3 billion per year.

U.S. EPA to phase out organophosphate
Use of insecticide azinphos-methyl (AZM) on nursery crops will be phased out by Sept. 2007. U.S. EPA took this action because of "worker and ecological risks." AZM is an organophosphate insecticide for broad-spectrum control of insects and mites. During the phaseout, growers and registrants will meet with EPA about safer alternatives.

Washington free of citrus longhorn beetle
Washington St. Dept. of Ag. declared the state free of citrus longhorn beetle. The state had been battling the foreign pest since 2001, when it was found at a nursery in Tukwila. The pest, which resembles Asian longhorn beetle and has more than 40 known host trees, was initially found on maples imported from Korea. WSDA removed 1,000 host trees from the 1-square-mile quarantine zone and has monitored for 5 years 40,000 nearby host trees for evidence of beetle damage.

Worth a visit
See what you'll be growing and selling in 2007. A review of the hottest, freshest looks at Fashion in Bloom. Only on GreenBeam.com.

PlantFind - the leading provider of technology solutions for the green industry - offers automated solutions to buy and sell everything needed to operate a growing business.

Something’s keeping you awake at night. You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. 3 intense days. 75 business changing sessions. 1000 green industry professionals.