Association News: Aug. 2000

Combining legislation and lawn care, industry players who attended Professional Lawn Care Association of America’s 11th annual Legislative Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C., confronted small business issues and expressed "green" concerns during congressional appointments while networking with other landscape professionals.

"We’re training an army the slow way to be mobilized on legislative issues," said Tom Delaney, PLCAA executive vice president. "Day on the Hill is a total educational process for landscape contractors as citizens, people from particular states and people from an industry. They are seeing things on a national, state and local level all together."

Speakers and sessions during the July 24-25 event highlighted hot-button legislation, and attendees generated a proactive, visual impact to build relationships in the political community and spark regulatory change, Delaney said. "Congressman David Hobson [R-Ohio] told attendees the way lobbying is done – not by sending e-mails or form letters," he added. "Legislators hardly pay attention to them." He said a personal appearance is a more effective way to lobby an issue.

Attendees discussed and reacted to comments stemming from pesticide use issues heated by the Regulatory Fairness and Openness Act of 1999 H.R. 1592. Delaney commented that PLCAA members were appalled by the "misinterpretation and misinformation that can be given to the Senate to vote on." Many legislators question the safety of certain pesticide use near children, but these claims are not founded on sound scientific data, Delaney stressed.

Attendees also donated their time and expertise by building on previous landscape enhancements at Arlington Cemetery and lending their talents in tree care and lime application at the Congressional Cemetery, Delaney noted. Despite wet weather conditions, more than 80 participants donated their expertise to the cause, he added.

"Instead of making money," Delaney said, "contractors take this day to donate time, people and equipment."