More than 40 members of the California Landscape Contractors Association joined forces with construction industry colleagues for a Legislative Day at the Capitol April 12, 2005.
Curt Augustine, Deputy Secretary for Legislation for the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, provided an insider's view of the Schwarzenegger administration. Augustine previously served as the executive vice president of the California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom. Chris Dunden of the Contra Costa Water District explained how landscape contractors can help supply water for the future by promoting more efficient hardware, better designs and improved water management. "State agencies and water agencies are going to look to you guys for leadership," he told attendees. Senator Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, reported on the "quiet and secret shuttle diplomacy with major stakeholders" involved with the on-going struggle over construction defect indemnification.
Senator Liz Figueroa, D-Fremont, updated attendees on efforts to make the Contractors State License Board more "user friendly" and to enhance efforts to protect consumers and combat unlicensed operators. CLCA North Valley President Cathy Gurney and Treasurer Ted Sandrowski meet with Assembly- member Rick Keene, R-Humboldt David Kirby, Senior Vice President, California Chamber of Commerce, reported that "the business community doesn't play hardball politics," which makes it tough for the business community to win in Sacramento. "If we can't turn up the heat, we lose. Politicians see the light when they feel the heat."
CLCA President Barbara Alvarez confers with Senator Bob Margett, R-Diamond Bar. Assemblymember Mark Wyland, R-Vista, stressed the importance of being involved in the legislative process and, more importantly, the building of personal relationships between lawmakers and their constituents. "Its really, really important that lawmakers understand that you're out there, employing people, in the field," he told attendees. Assemblymember Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, (shown with CLCA Assistant Executive Director Larry Rohlfes and Legislative Committee Member Mickey Strauss), joined us for dinner.
Bob Wade, Senator John Campbell, R-Costa Mesa, David Ellis and Chuck Johnson. Bob is the association's Director of Legislation, and Dave is the Orange County Chapter's Vice President of Events. After explaining how many water and environmental agencies want to restrict landscape contractors by establishing plant lists, Bob Wade, CLCA's Director of Legislation, encouraged attendees to get involved. "It doesn't need to be fancy -- just write a note and send it off," he said. Back To CLCA Home