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THE POLITICAL WINDS OF CHANGE
The elections this month were in many ways a bit confusing: a huge Republican tide stopped at the Sierra Nevadas. A Democratic sweep of all constitutional offices in California ... yet voters signaled fiscal conservatism by requiring a super majority vote for fee increases. It is no wonder that folks outside the golden state scratch their heads regarding who we elect and what we vote for.
The undeniable fact is that this election was a game changer in a number of significant respects and my point is that PCOC must respond from the strength of an industry which is an essential part of the California economy. We are a nonpartisan organization and our role is to represent the interests and concerns of the pest control industry to legislators and regulators. Although there may be a new sheriff in town, the thrust of our message will still be the same. Hiring a professional will continue to be the context of our strategy to protect and defend the pest control industry in California. The most important strategy we will start immediately is that of education. There will be 40 new legislators in Sacramento. There will be new political appointees in every state agency. It will be critical to our success that we educate these individuals early on regarding the issues that affect the pest control industry in California. We will need to step up our game as it relates to planning education meetings: breakfasts, lunches or dinners with legislators either in Sacramento or in the legislators' districts. We must exploit every opportunity to tell our story. It's now even more important that we organize a system of inviting legislators to spend a day with a pest control professional: ‘adopt-a-legislator.' You will be hearing more about this ambitious plan in the months ahead. There has never been a more important time for members of the pest control industry in California to come together and realize that there is strength in numbers. PCOC will be making a stronger effort to reach out to those members of the industry who do not belong to their trade association and yet derive the benefits of all the work PCOC does. Now is the time. |
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