Send A Message-WSTFA Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Folks in the tree fruit industry, and agriculture in general, are being encouraged to speak up and help educate lawmakers in Olympia about the good and the bad in the changes they propose.
Washington State Tree Fruit Association president, Jon DeVaney says he understands that everyone is not able to drive to Olympia …
DeVANEY … “But since COVID, it’s been a lot easier to do remote testimony, to send, of course, emails to legislators, but also to sign in on committee hearings even if you’re not going to testify, just to let them know what your position is.”
DeVaney says WSTFA tries to keep its membership up to date …
DeVANEY … “When we send out information about upcoming hearings and ask people to participate by registering that they’re pro or con on a bill. They don’t necessarily have to testify, but it lets the legislature know in real time how much interest there is on particular issues and where the balance of opinion is.”
So, DeVaney says it’s up to us …
DeVANEY … “We really need people to make sure that the legislators know that we in the industry are watching, and we care about these issues and where we stand on them. Otherwise, it’s harder for our friends to support us by saying that this is a bad idea or a good idea, whatever the case may be for agriculture, if it seems to others as though no one is paying attention. It’s really incumbent upon us to speak up.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on educating lawmakers in Olympia … or go to www.wstfa.org for updates or more information.
