PHOENIX, Ariz. - Rep. Christine Weason (D), of the Arizona House of Representatives, has withdrawn legislation she previously proposed to ban leaf blowers in Arizona, according to a recent issue of Southwest Trees and Turf (STT).

The decision not to pursue the ban followed significant pressure from the landscape industry, equipment dealers, the tourisim industry, golf courses, school districts and other green industry interestes. The Arizona Landscape Contractors Association organized a campaign of letter-writing and personal visits to legislators with the help of the Arizona chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Rep. Weason stated that she wants to meet with stakeholders in this issue within the next few months, and she intends to reintroduce a consensus bill at the next legislative session, according to STT.