Landscape Committee Threatened By Cuts

By Erik Skindrud

California's Landscape Architects Technical Committee puts out a quarterly newsletter that tells landscape architects about legislation and other issues affecting their profession.

Professional and industry groups are opposing a California plan that would eliminate 88 state boards and committees in the name of cost-reduction and efficiency. Among the groups on the chopping block are two landscape-related bodies-the Landscape Architects Technical Committee (LATC) and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), which represents landscape and other contractors.

The cuts are supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state's Little Hoover Commission, which sends recommendations to the state legislature.

A commission report released in December, 2004 notes that members of the landscape architects' and contractors' groups receive $100 per day for attending meetings. The LATC oversees licensing for the state's landscape architects. The report recommends that both groups' functions be taken over by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

The California Council of the ASLA is formally opposed to the change, which would also eliminate the LATC's affiliated group, the California Architects Board, or CAB.

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The California Landscape Contractors Association is also opposed to the cuts.

The advisory Little Hoover Commission is due to send more specific recommendations to California's legislature on Feb. 24.

The course of action from there is uncertain, said Tracy Morgan Hollingworth of California's ALCA council.

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Landscape architects and others can email Gov. Schwarzenegger their thoughts through a web link at https://www.govmail.ca.gov/