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Keeping opponents informed and making personal contact with lawmakers are keys to success in state legislatures. Dean Goodenough has provided the Affiliate Leadership Conference in Phoenix with a “Chronicle of Irrigation Legislation,” explaining how the Illinois Nurserymen’s Association, with help from the Irrigation Association, recently got an irrigation registration bill signed into law.
Goodenough said an important step came long before the legislation was introduced. Backers took the proposed legislation to likely opponents for feedback. This gave them a chance to make minor changes that allowed the bill to go to the legislature virtually unopposed. To gain acceptance from the plumbers union, which could have blocked the bill, the word “license” was changed to “registration” while provisions designed to professionalize irrigation contracting remained in tact. Another important factor was developing grassroots relationships with lawmakers.
The Illinois law, signed by the governor in July, requires contractors to register and have a certified staff member by 2008. The Affiliate Leadership Conference was sponsored by the State Relations Committee and the Contractor Common Interest Group. David Crow, who represents the IA in federal regulatory and legislative matters, reinforced the message about getting to know lawmakers at every level of government. Crow says it is much easier for him to get action from lawmakers if they already know constituents active in irrigation. Crow is president of DC Legislative and Regulatory Services.
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