Dems blast push for English-only communication in Georgia

Already the official language of Georgia

In a 2015 file photo, Sen. Josh McKoon speaks out in favor of a religious freedom bill during a news conference, in Atlanta. GOP Sen. McKoons proposal to amend the state Constitution to make English the official language was approved by a Senate committee and is now awaiting debate on the Senate floor. Democrats have already been part of two news conferences to denounce the bill, which they call xenophobic and a distraction designed to drive conservative voters to the polls in November. - photo by Associated Press

W language — In a 2015 file photo, Sen. Josh McKoon speaks out in favor of a religious freedom bill during a news conference, in Atlanta. GOP Sen. McKoons proposal to amend the state Constitution to make English the official language was approved by a Senate committee and is now awaiting debate on the Senate floor. Democrats have already been part of two news conferences to denounce the bill, which they call xenophobic and a distraction designed to drive conservative voters to the polls in November. - photo by Associated Press

ATLANTA — When state Rep. Pedro "Pete" Marin moved from Puerto Rico to Georgia with his family in 1995, he and his wife Nereida each had to apply for a new driver's license.Although they had been licensed drivers in Puerto Rico for years, the Marins had to take the same written exam that Georgia teenagers do. But to pass the road-rules half of the written test, Nereida Marin needed help, her husband recalled, because her English at the time wasn't strong enough.Fortunately for her, Georgia offered the written exam in various foreign languages. It's one of more than 40 states that do.

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