The day was filled with powerful speakers and contractors (including CLCA Director of Legislation Bob Wade, CLP, CLIA) working to make a difference.

Speakers included Adrienne Monroe, California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom, who spoke on the need for contractors to support career technical education for high school and community college students. "If you want trained employees in the future, you need to speak out for them now."

Attendees also heard from Senator Abel Maldonado, who seconded Monroe's support for career technical education. He also spoke in favor of a temporary guest worker program. He said that he favors a program that would allow workers to "come for a few months for several years and earn the right for a green card. He was careful to emphasize that his proposal was not amnesty.

Montserrat Miller, CLCA's federal immigration lobbyist, also focused on immigration reform. "Now, more than ever, is the time for you to be engaged," she told contractors. Miller predicted that any immigration reform would include a mandate for a strong employer verification program. If contractors and other business leaders do not advocate for a reliable, efficient verification program, the results will be unwieldy and may include draconian penalties for businesses who hire undocumented workers.

CSLB Registrar Steve Sands also attended the conference, as part of his agency's efforts to "better partner with industry." He offered particular praise for CLCA and Associate Executive Director Larry Rohlfes, CAE, for the association's support of "very aggressive CSLB efforts to fight unlicensed contractors."

After hearing from these and other motivating speakers, attendees visited the capitol, where they spoke with lawmakers and influential aids.

CLCA 2007 President Peter Estournes, CLP, CLIA shakes hands with Brett Williams, a consultant to Senator Patricia Wiggins.

G.V. Ayers, aid to Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, and CLCA member Amy Peterson.