THE S0UTHLANEffi

WAYNE GARDNER executive vice president

? FIe FINAL day for introducing legis-

I lation into the State Assembly and Senate has passed. Norv comes the prodigious task of sorting through each bill that pertains to the lumber and building materials industry.

The count may be otrf a feW but it appears that about 200 bills were introduced that could have a direct effect on our industrv. Certainlv there are others which might have a lesser eifect, but are no less a matter ofconcern.

Western Building Material Dealers Association working through Ron Barrow and Associates in Sacramento will study and make a decision on every bill. This work will be accomplished b1z a board ofdirectors, representing the various entities that make up Western.

The board met April 24 in Sacramento and took a position on all 200 bills. Some are only "watch," but others are "oppose" or'.rupport." Each member of the board has a specific area of responsibility so rhar does r;lieve them ofthe burden ofreading all 200. But on the24th, every bill was brought up and the board voted to determine the position to be taken. Time consuming. but really important. Any member of the industry that has a question about abill andthe positionof Westerncan call LASC in Los Angeles, or LMA in San Jose for this information.

Ron Barrow, head ofRon Barrow and Associates, will be the principal speaker at the May 16 meeting of the Lumber Association of Southern California. All the bills which are considered to be hot will be discussed, plus Ron will fill the group in on how rhey can more effectively participate in the legislative process. There is an "old saw" that savs ..anvone who enjoys good sausage or good- legislation should never observe the makine of either." With legislarive advocary of rhe t-ype offered by Western through Ron Barrow, we can almost adhere to that adage. But at times bodies are necessary. Letters are also helpful. Personal contact is a must.

Another item to be discussed in the May meeting is the establishment of a political Action Committee. This would serve as a vehicle to lend support to worthwhile candidates and incumbents as well. LASC has not had such a group in the past, but as more and more of the business is controlled by state and federal legislation it becomes a necessity.

Politics is, for various reasons, not something most people want to become involved in. But whether or not we want to is no longer the point. It's now almost a question of when and how can we get involved to guarantee survival.

May 16 at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Let the association office know if you can make it. Call (2tT483-&50.

"He just got a price quote on liability insurance. Help me pry the phone out ofhis hand."

The Merchant Magazine