EVP NOTES — GO SEE YOUR LEGISLATOR DURING LEG DAY: HERE’S A HOW TO!

Our primary goal as an association of pest control professionals is to protect the pest control industry in California. You have heard me say this before but it bears repeating: we live in one of the most highly taxed and regulated states in the nation and the industry is constantly under attack.

That is why what we are doing next month is so important. PCOC's Leg Day, March 24-25, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sacramento. This is YOUR opportunity to influence how elected officials feel about pest control. This is so critical because they will be voting on issues which affect our industry. The power of seeing a constituent walking into a legislator's capital office is huge. Legislators respect the fact that you have taken the time from your business to come to Sacramento.

Therefore, it is important that you show up! Next, I often get asked how do I make appointments with my legislators.

First, call the legislator's office in Sacramento. You can find out who your Assembly member(s) and Senator(s) are by searching on Google. Ask to speak to the legislator's scheduler. Tell the scheduler your name, your business, and that your business is in the district, or that you live in the district. Either one.

Let the scheduler know that you're coming to Sacramento on Wednesday March 25 for PCOC's Legislative Day and that you would like to schedule a meeting with the legislator to update them on pest control issues. Also, invite them to attend our legislative reception on Tuesday March 24, 5.30-7 PM at Mayahuel Restaurant. [They will be receiving a proper invite from us but this just helps reinforce it.]

The best time to meet with the legislator is in the morning, after 9:00 a.m. Be flexible.

You may be told that you can meet with a staff person rather than the legislator. Definitely take that meeting. In California, just as in Congress, staff wield a great deal of influence.Some offices prefer that a faxed appointment request be sent to the scheduler.

Some of our districts coordinate their members' visits to local legislators. Check with your district chair. In any event, if you know some other colleagues who are coming to leg day, it's a good idea to touch base with them, also.

So much for the instructions. What remains is the most important function that a citizen can perform in a democracy: educating elected officials. See you at the Capital!