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HISTORIC CHANGES AND CHALLENGES IN THE CAPITOL
Sacramento is used to change every other December as the new legislature is sworn in for the new two-year session. Last week those swearings-in took place for the start of the 2013-14 Legislative Session. [Legislators come to town for a day and then leave until the first week of January!] What was different this year was some history being made on several fronts. There are 39 new members of the 80-member state Assembly – the largest single influx since 1966. Republicans are outnumbered by Democrats by a 2 to 1 margin – the first time that has happened since the 1880s. This, of course, gives Democrats the power to pass legislation by a two-thirds vote, often called a super majority. This situation is replicated in both the Assembly and the Senate – the first time this has happened since 1883. The Senate is replacing nine of its 40 members. Only one of those has never been a legislator! Term limits for the incoming class will be 12 years in either house, not a maximum of six and eight years in the Assembly and the Senate respectively. The small number of Republicans puts the spotlight on 20 moderate Democrats, 11 of them freshmen, who could block tax hikes. This is all very fascinating for political junkies. However, more important is what it means for PCOC. With such a huge influx of new faces, it is essential that we educate these new legislators on the issues relating to the pest control industry in California. We will be doing this through one-on-one meetings by our lobbying team, by holding breakfasts and lunches involving PCOC members, and coordinating with PCOC districts to invite these new lawmakers to speak...and even invite them to spend a day with a pest control company! Every district can "Adopt A Legislator." Challenging times ahead for us all! As we end this year, 2012, you can be assured that, moving forward, we have built up a strong association, quite up to the challenges that will lie ahead. Protecting the pest control industry in California is what we do! IN MEMORIAM Dear Friends,
I want to share with you the passing of my wife Marsha Bryant. After 3 years of pain and suffering from cancer and other health problems, Marsha passed away quietly on 12/12/12.
With heartfelt sadness,
Jerry
Marsha is survived by her husband, Jerry Bryant (The Bee Man); son, Steve Billings, and daughters, Heather Luszczyk and Bobbi Bryant |
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