Legislative Conference & Grass Roots Training
April 11-12, 2011 — Sacramento, CA

Members Take Action!

Register For Conference

CLCA invites all members to attend its Grass Roots Training Session April 11 as well as the Construction Industry Legislative Conference the next day in Sacramento. The association will pay most lodging and travel costs as well as reimburse registration and most travel expenses for all members who attend these two events.

These always-popular gatherings offer many opportunities to learn about issues that potentially have a big impact on your business and livelihood. They also provide information and tools that can help you work with CLCA to find legislative solutions to industry problems. In addition, participants have the opportunity to network with other CLCA members, contractors in other construction trades, legislators, public officials, and construction industry lobbyists.

April 11 Activities

The Grass Roots Training Session begins at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 11. Guest speakers will discuss the following topics: why it's important for businesses to engage in grass roots lobbying, a case study of the accomplishments of another group when its members involved themselves in the political process, and how to approach a legislator from the points of view of both a veteran Capitol staff member as well as a legislator. "Veteran" participants in CLCA's grass roots network will share tips on what has worked for them. And CLCA's lobbyist will present an overview of state government today as well as issues affecting landscape contractors. Special emphasis will be placed on explaining two or three specific bills that participants will be asked to discuss with their legislators the next day and in a follow-up meeting in the district offices of their state senators and assembly representatives.

The training session will be followed by a no-host cocktail reception and hosted dinner at Frank Fat's, a nearby restaurant frequented by legislators and individuals doing business at the Capitol. Assembly Member Bill Berryhill (R-Ceres) will join CLCA members for this intimate social event and perhaps make a few remarks as well as field questions from the audience.

CLCA Headquarters will make reservations for out-of-town members at the Holiday Inn Express. To keep room costs to a minimum, hotel guests will share a room with another member, a great opportunity to get to know another landscape contractor or supplier. Members who do not wish to share a hotel room may request a private room if they are willing to pay an extra fee.

April 12 Activities

The legislative conference, which is sponsored by the Construction Industry Legislative Council (CILC), begins the next morning at the Sheraton following a complimentary continental breakfast. There, speakers will discuss legislative or regulatory issues of importance to the construction industry, including the underground economy, the state’s financial predicament, and “hot” bills in the state Legislature.

In the afternoon, following a group luncheon, the conference participants will take a short walk to the Capitol, where they will participate in pre-scheduled meetings with their legislators. No participant should feel that he or she should be an “expert” for these meetings, since the CILC will provide briefing materials and other handouts on key issues. In addition, most of the meetings will involve several conference participants, so there should be “comfort in numbers.”

The second day concludes with a 4 p.m. no-host cocktail reception where conference participants can expect to meet more legislators and other public officials. The event concludes at about 6 p.m.

How to Participate

Questions? Contact CLCA Assistant Executive Director Larry Rohlfes at (800) 448-2522 or larryrohlfes@clca.org. To sign up Click Here. Follow the website directions carefully to take advantage of CLCA’s offer to pay for most associated expenses for members.

Note: In a new procedure this year, members will be required to make their own airline reservations to the conference. CLCA will reimburse members for the cost of their ticket from a major southern California airport, but only up to the cost of such a ticket purchased from Southwest Airlines for the lowest possible airfare on March 25. This reimbursement will be sent shortly after the event, and only if the member actually attends it.

Get Answers, Take Action
At 2011 Legislative Conference

For the answer to these questions and more, plan on attending
the California Landscape Contractor Association's 2011 Legislative Conference April 11-12 in Sacramento, California.

With an agenda packed with the information your business needs to survive in the years to come, the Legislative Conference is a "must attend."

Here's what attendees have said about past conferences:

"The Leg Conference was, and is, one of the best things that CLCA does. It is extremely well organized and worth every hour of the two days spent there. Hands down, this is an opportunity to implement the change you believe in. If you've never met your lawmakers and expressed your views, this is the time to do it. CLCA will hold your hand through the process and offer all the background information needed. Did you know CLCA is one of the most influential construction lobbying groups in California? Did you know the swimming pool bill and the outdoor kitchen bill all came about by CLCA members who wanted to see change? If you've ever wondered what you get for your dues, this is it."

— Catherine Greer, Greer's Gardens

At leg conference 2010, I was able to have one-on-one time with my state senator. While that is not the normal procedure, being in the right place at the right time has it's benefits and CLCA created that opportunity for me.

— Chuck Carr, Carr Landscape Management, Inc.

It was a great experience. I was amazed to see the process of how all this works. It was refreshing to see that the senators/congressmen are willing to hear our voice."

—Alfonso Castillo, Jr., Land Creations

"Having just returned from two days in Sacramento, I am reminded yet again what a great organization CLCA is. Not only did I get to meet several local politicians and their staff, but I got a real understanding of the kind of bills that are currently going through the house that would affect our business on a day to day basis. I'll give you a couple of examples: Did you know that there is a proposal currently circulating that would have us small business owners withhold 3 percent of all invoices payable to independent contractors, in order to send that directly onto the state? If we act as independent contractors, 3 percent of our earnings would be withheld too. Can you imagine what a burden that would place on us?

Did you know that contractors working on public works projects are being asked to ensure that no products or materials being used on our jobs are manufactured under 'sweat shop' labor conditions? While we all want these harsh labor practices to end, how are we to be sure that the iron that goes to make up that nail, or the granite that goes to make up that tile, supposed to ensure that they were not manufactured under such conditions? I am pleased to report that the local politicians I met were very responsive to our point of view on these issues and many others.

In addition to all this we were given an update on the Contractors State License Board's efforts to defeat unlicensed contractors as part of the estimated $6.5 billion underground economy. Whilst I was there, I was able to directly talk to a Michael Brown, Chief of Legislative Affairs, regarding an issues that one of our members has had with workers compensation renewals being severely delayed."

—Diane Downey, The Yard Fairy