The power of the ACSS political action committee – our new PAC – was clearly evident at this year’s Lobby Day, March 16. As members completed their legislative visits, they reported again and again that “everybody knows our name.” Many more legislators than in past years were aware of ACSS and knew whom we represent.
The members of the PAC, formed in 2010 and supported by dues, volunteered hundreds of hours this past year to take part in political events all over the state. Led by Chairman Frank Ruffino, the PAC built relationships with legislators and the governor – the people with the most influence over excluded employees’ salaries and benefits. Lobby Day 2011 proved the effort worked.
Headquarters staff reorganized member training to simplify the logistics, and members reported great results. Again this year, every legislator received either a personal visit or a hand-delivered ACSS packet of information.
ACSS activists discussed several issues with their legislators, including extending the tax increases enacted in 2009 and resolving pay discrepancies, succession needs and compaction of salaries between supervisors and rank and file. Most legislators responded positively. Sen. Alex Padilla of San Bernardino is already focused on succession. He is working with DPA to ensure the state has qualified employees to replace the huge number of supervisors expected to retire in the near future. “The state must continue to have strong supervisorial employees,” he said. “How to do it is a key issue for me.”
Padilla was impressed with ACSS’ visit. “Thank you for your work,” he said. “I don’t often see participation at this kind of level.”
At the Ice Cream Social, the traditional close to Lobby Day, members recapped the event and dubbed it a success. The legislators “really listened,” they said. “They are more open to having discussions on the issues,” said board member Todd D’Braunstein.
Treasurer Elena Yuasa found the legislators “understand that the supervisors are an asset to the state, and they are willing to work with us … to come up with ideas to improve California.”
The power of the ACSS political action committee – our new PAC – was clearly evident at this year’s Lobby Day, March 16. As members completed their legislative visits, they reported again and again that “everybody knows our name.” Many more legislators than in past years were aware of ACSS and knew whom we represent.
The members of the PAC, formed in 2010 and supported by dues, volunteered hundreds of hours this past year to take part in political events all over the state. Led by Chairman Frank Ruffino, the PAC built relationships with legislators and the governor – the people with the most influence over excluded employees’ salaries and benefits. Lobby Day 2011 proved the effort worked.
Headquarters staff reorganized member training to simplify the logistics, and members reported great results. Again this year, every legislator received either a personal visit or a hand-delivered ACSS packet of information.
ACSS activists discussed several issues with their legislators, including extending the tax increases enacted in 2009 and resolving pay discrepancies, succession needs and compaction of salaries between supervisors and rank and file. Most legislators responded positively. Sen. Alex Padilla of San Bernardino is already focused on succession. He is working with DPA to ensure the state has qualified employees to replace the huge number of supervisors expected to retire in the near future. “The state must continue to have strong supervisorial employees,” he said. “How to do it is a key issue for me.”
Padilla was impressed with ACSS’ visit. “Thank you for your work,” he said. “I don’t often see participation at this kind of level.”
At the Ice Cream Social, the traditional close to Lobby Day, members recapped the event and dubbed it a success. The legislators “really listened,” they said. “They are more open to having discussions on the issues,” said board member Todd D’Braunstein.
Treasurer Elena Yuasa found the legislators “understand that the supervisors are an asset to the state, and they are willing to work with us … to come up with ideas to improve California.”