Members Take Action!
Seeking to learn more about issues that could have a big impact on their businesses and livelihoods and to further efforts to find legislative solutions to industry problems, 30 members of the California Landscape Contractors Association traveled to Sacramento in mid-April to participate the association's Grass Roots Training Session and the Construction Industry Legislative Conference.
CLCA members were active in the state capitol in mid-April, meeting with lawmakers and networking with colleagues during CLCA’s 2010 Grass Roots Training Session and Construction Industry Legislative Conference.
CLCA grass roots advocates educated lawmakers about three issues:
- Underground economy enforcement, especially CLCA-supported Senate Bill 1254 by Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, which would authorize the Registrar of the Contractors State License Board to issue an immediate stop order to prevent employees who are not covered by workers' compensation insurance from continuing to work on a construction project.
- Independent contractor withholding, which CLCA opposes; and
- CLCA-opposed Senate Bill 1231, by Senator Ellen Corbett, which would require contractors to certify that no materials used in a public works construction project were produced using abusive labor practices.
Associate Executive Director Larry Rohlfes, CAE, (pictured with President-Elect Bob Wade, CLP, CLIA) was honored for his outstanding service and dedication to the CLCA Legislation Committee and the Immigration Task Force.
Assemblymember Connie Conway, R-Tulare shared "Techniques That Really Work" for effective grass roots advocacy.
Assemblymember Bill Emmerson, R-Inland Empire also shared during the "Techniques That Really Work" presentation.
During dinner, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego addressed water issues. "Conservation is key," he told CLCA members.
Assemblymember Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo sparked spirited discussion about proposals to require the witholding of 3% of all payments to independent contractors as a means of "making sure everyone pays their fair share of taxes" and fighting unlicensed contractors.
The next day kicked off with more training and backgrounders from water experts, CSLB representatives and industry experts, followed by lunch with former U.C. Regent Ward Connerly, who questioned California's "activist Legislature," bloated prison system and "totally dysfunctional" government.
CSLB staff member Mike Brown (left) was honored for his efforts to fight unlicensed contractors.
Then, it was off to the capitol to discuss curbing underground contracting, tax withholding for independent contractors and sweatshop-free procurement contract certification for public works contracts. Orange County get-together: Sen. Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Nigel (center) with CLCA members Bob Wade, Dave Norred, Angela Woodside-Beckstrom and Steve Beckstrom.
CLCA Past President Pete Dufau CLT, Assemblymember Audra Strickland, R-Camarillo and Shari Collins, CLCA Director of Legislation.