ACEC California, once again, hosted a very successful Legislative Visit Day last week. The morning began with an Issues Breakfast, where ACEC California members walked through several issues facing our industry, such as indemnity reform, public-private partnerships and transportation funding.
After morning visits with legislators, ACEC California members returned together for a Legislative Luncheon, where Senator Anthony Cannella (a civil engineer himself) spoke about the political realities facing California and how the pieces of “transportation funding” might fit together in 2015. Additionally, ACEC California members heard Steve Hall, Vice President of Government Affairs for ACEC National speak about key issues facing the engineering industry at the federal level.
Following an afternoon of meetings at the Capitol, ACEC California members took the opportunity to relax and mingle with legislators, legislative staff, consultants and representatives from other like-minded organizations at Tequila Mayahuel, a restaurant close to the Capitol and famous for their patron’s ability to rent a locker for their pre-purchased bottles of tequila.
Over 25 state legislators socialized with ACEC California members at the legislative reception that evening, and members were pleased to see ACEC California President Mary Erchul present to Governor Brown an award, declaring him Infrastructure Champion of 2014. Governor Brown spoke to the packed room for about 15 minutes and then “worked the room,” talking to individual ACEC California members for another 20 minutes. Thank you, Governor!
And thank you ACEC California members for all of your continual dedication and efforts. We are here because of you! Please click here to view more photos of Legislative Visit Day.