Print this Article | Send to Colleague

We are now in the final weeks of the 2009 – 2010 legislative session. The session actually began in December of 2008 when legislators were sworn in. Similarly, this December, a new crop of legislators will be sworn in for the 2011 – 2012 session. This information is important for a number of reasons. First, bills introduced in the first year of a session can be "carried over" to the second. However, all bills this August will die unless they pass out of the Legislature and are signed by the governor. Secondly, this is important because it highlights that a new crop of legislators will be arriving in Sacramento in December as a result of being elected in November....... so....

Our PAPCO trustees, in conjunction with our legislative advocacy team, came up with a plan last February based on working with the most friendly bunch of business legislators possible. This fluid plan (yes, it can change during the course of a year as a result of the June primary election results) – involves many different moving parts. One of the most important is getting to know our elected representatives and, more importantly, educating them on pest control issues and letting them know who to contact if they have any questions... putting names to faces.

That is why, over a period of 12 months, we have set up breakfasts, lunches and dinner with state senators and assemblypersons both in Sacramento and in their districts. The criteria used for setting up such events is the strategic importance of each individual to our industry. Thus, we have broken bread with the current Assembly Speaker John Perez, Sen. President pro tem Darryl Steinberg and the chairs of the Business and Professions Committees – where all our bills go. We have also met with legislators whom we have identified as upcoming in the leadership process... we normally try to complete two a month.

This is an important way that PCOC creates value to the industry (protecting the pest control industry in California), but most importantly to YOU, our members. It is unfortunate that many PCOs take advantage of the good work that PCOC does by NOT being members.

Please advertise the critical importance of belonging to PCOC to your colleagues as you talk to them... encourage them to attend your local district meeting..... and if you sense there is opportunity for us to sign them up, let Billy Gaither know!

Pest Control Operators of California
www.pcoc.org

The Voice of PCOC digital magazine