Arborist Appreciation Day 2007

It has been along time since we have posted anything new to this blog! On April 25th Green Point will have its third annual Arborist Appreciation Day at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.who would like to attend please call John at 631 219 5537.

Arborist Appreciation Day 2007

It has been along time since we have posted anything new to this blog! On April 25th Green Point will have its third annual Arborist Appreciation Day at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.who would like to attend please call John at 631 219 5537.

Arborist Appreciation Day in Albany

We are going to do our annual Arborist Appreciation Day in Albany, on either April 24th or 25th, 2006. This event is held in the Executive Office Building at the Capitol, and was a great success last year.
Anyone that would like to participate, please get in touch with the offices of LIAA, PCA, or NYSAA.

Long Island Meetings

To All Members:

Several meetings and trade shows over the last two weeks. I would like to give a

Quick recap.

1. On January 24, 2006 there was an industry leaders meeting held at the Long Island Farm Bureau, in Riverhead, NY. This was called by Joe Gergela, Executive Director of the Farm Bureau, to discuss the coming 2006 legislative year.

Hot Topics:

a. There was a general discussion of the legislative environment on Long Island and we discussed an industry effort to develop Best Management Practices for fertilizer use, including recommendation of the elimination of Phosphorous for many uses. It was noted that soil testing on Long Island has shown that there is no need for Phosphorous in many cases.

Everyone was in agreement that we should pursue this in conjunction with Cooperative Extension, and at some point get some legislators involved.

This will be a topic of discussion at the Cooperative Extension’s leadership meeting, which will be held on March 8, 2006.

b. Joe Gergela talked about being most concerned regarding the possible immigration policies at the federal level, and how not allowing some sort of guest worker program could cripple the farming industry as well as other related industries such as landscaping, arboriculture, lawn care etc. He mentioned that the farm bureau has blank letters to congress that you can fill out and electronically mail to voice your concern. The L. I. Farm Bureaus web address is www.LIFB.com.

c. Maureen Serafini was at the P.C.A. of L. I. Annual conference on January 26, 2006. Along with her presentation on regulatory matters she gave some discussion on where she saw the DEC in the future, and it was not a pretty picture. She thinks that with a change in the Governors office, especially with a change to a Democrat, that there will be pressure on the department to regulate more from an enforcement direction, than an educational one. Without getting into too much detail that she shared with me, I will quote her. When asked how the above changes will affect industry, she said, “hold on to your hats!” Enough said.

John

Lobbyist Report on State Budget

We have preliminarily reviewed the Governor's Executive Budget released earlier today. The five book, nearly 2,000 page tome exceeds in volume any other budget presentation proffered by the Governor in his twelve years in office (last year's version was approximately 1,100 pages). The Executive Budget almost appears to be designed as a signature fiscal record for a future national-oriented campaign.

The single most impressive item mentioned in the Governor's proposal is that the State has a $2 billion surplus. The Governor desires to set aside the entire surplus to reduce potential gaps in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 fiscal years (demonstrating a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility for anyone on a national stage to notice). It is a pretty good bet that the folks in the Senate and Assembly, up for election this year, will have a wide variety of other ideas on how to use that money.

The Governor's budget has ambitious plans to reduce both personal and business income taxes, reducing the top tax rate for individuals from 6.85 percent to 6.75 percent, and eliminating the marriage penalty. On the business side, the Governor proposes to reduce the corporate tax rate to 6.75 percent, permit the immediate expensing of capital investments in New York, eliminating the alternative minimum and capital bases and reducing taxes imposed on life insurers.

Other aggressive proposals include providing a record $16.9 billion in state aid to public schools, dedicating funds to hire an additional 100 police investigators to combat gun trafficking, adding $1.1 billion to assist localities' Medicaid costs and creating a $530 million school district tax relief program.

The Governor has also reserved in his proposal more than $1 billion to support DEC's environmental, resource management and recreation programs.

We shall keep you informed of budget developments as they unfold.

Article from TCI Magazine

THE STATE OF NEW YORK WELCOMES GREEN POINT

By David G. Marren, Director of Regulatory Affairs

for The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company

On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, leaders from New York’s arboricultural and green industry community met on Long Island to discuss the political and regulatory issues affecting the green industry. Present were the leaders of The New York Arborist Association, The Long Island Arborist Association, The Professional Certified Applicators of Long Island, and senior management from The Davey Tree Expert Company, The Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Company, and The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company.

All parties agreed that the regulatory climate in the State of New York was aggressive, fast moving, and at times seemed anti green industry. All parties agreed that not understanding and engaging in this process was hurting each business and organization respectively. All parties agreed that the arboricultural and green industry community had never been recognized in the State as a legitimate political force. And, all parties agreed that the time had come for this community to form a legal association, seek political consultation and lobbying efforts from professionals, and be involved in the regulatory process in New York from the ground up.

The result of this meeting was the formation of Green Point of New York. Green Point is now a legal association in the State of New York. Leaders have been elected. An organizational structure has been formed. And, members have already begun reviewing the proposed legislative and regulatory actions that have the potential to impact the arboricultural and green industry.

“I feel that for the first time in my career that our industry has joined together intelligently in order to address the issues that affect all of our businesses in a meaningful way,” stated David McMaster, the Vice President of Bartlett Tree Experts, and the first President of Green Point. McMaster is referring to Green Point’s open and honest approach with New York’s legislative and executive branches of government. This is an approach that members of the State government have welcomed, and have shown a great deal of respect for.

This respect became evident during a recent discussion with Vincent Palmer, of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. During a discussion with members of the green industry, Palmer stated that “[his] door will always be open to this group because it is professional and sincere.” With this kind of reaction from State officials, it is no surprise that several other important members of New York’s arboricultural and green industry community, such as SavaTree, Alpine the Care of Trees, and the Nassau/ Suffolk Landscape Gardners Association have also joined Green Point.

Green Point has also gained the support of the nation’s leading association in representing arboricultural firms, the Tree Care Industry Association (formerly known as the National Arborist Association). “Green Point’s time has come,” states Cynthia Mills, the President of the Tree Care Industry Association. “The Tree Care Industry Association fully supports Green Point, and we fully support the ways in which Green Point has chosen to represent the industry in the legislative and regulatory arena in New York.” Mills also noted that the Tree Care Industry Association is providing a liaison to Green Point, which will assist membership in understanding the process and understanding the progress that the Tree Care Industry Association is making at the national level on behalf of the industry. “It is critical that members of our industry join together and become engaged in the political process at both the State and National levels in order to solidify us as professionals whose voice must be heard,” Mills adds.

With this type of support, expert political advice, and a clear mission statement, Green Point will now begin to work with members of New York’s legislative body, regulatory agencies, the attorney general’s office, the governor’s office, and the local government bodies. The goal is clear. Green Point will gain a better understanding of the laws, rules, and regulations that have the potential to affect the arboricultural and green industry. Green Point will provide assistance and technical understanding to those who are promulgating such laws, rules, and regulations. Green Point will provide alternate legislative proposals and interpretations where appropriate. Green Point will represent its membership to these bodies with professionalism and integrity. And, Green Point will communicate all developments with its membership in a timely manner.

Knowing this, it is easy to see why members of Green Point are excited about their future. A future in which they will be represented professionally. And, the membership of Green Point wants all members of the arboriculture and green industry to understand that if they are interested in a successful future, and the idea of working with the agencies and bodies that govern our businesses instead of against them, then they should also join Green Point, and support this effort. There is no better way to explain why members should join than to agree with Cynthia Mills in saying, “Green Point’s time has come.”

Green Point of New York has been representing the green industry throughout New York State since it’s commencement in 2002.

Green Point has demonstrated to local legislature, state legislature, NYDEC and other lawmaking bodies that Green Point is a trusted partner who will share information and impart knowledge about the environment or horticulture. The goal of Green Point is to sensibly assist New York State, and local communities, in developing laws, rules or regulations that impact the environment and the green industry.

Ed Valente and Tom West of LeBoef, Lamb, Green & MacRae have been representing Green Point since its inception. With their help and guidance Green Point has assisted in—

GreenPoint of New York

GreenPoint is interested in getting feedback on your thoughts on getting involved in promoting a BMP for fertilizer management on Long Island.

GreenPoint of New York

Green Point of New York has been representing the green industry throughout New York State since it’s commencement in 2002.

Green Point has demonstrated to local legislature, state legislature, NYDEC and other lawmaking bodies that Green Point is a trusted partner who will share information and impart knowledge about the environment or horticulture. The goal of Green Point is to sensibly assist New York State, and local communities, in developing laws, rules or regulations that impact the environment and the green industry.

Ed Valente and Tom West of LeBoef, Lamb, Green & MacRae have been representing Green Point since its inception. With their help and guidance Green Point has assisted in—

· Developing a BMP for Arboricultural use of Merit on Long Island, and working with the NYSDEC in agreeing to restrict Merit usage, so that industry may continue to use this valuable resource.

· Working with a multi-agency group to draft a BMP for phosphorus use in the Croton water shed area.

· Took part in and represented industry at the NYSDEC working group developing Title 10 changes

· Developed out reach to other industry groups in order to establish communication channels. RISE asked Green Point to present position paper on legislative issues.

· Developed relationships with important environmental committee members of the New York State legislature in face-to-face meetings as well as participation in fund raising events.

· Worked together with the Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) and the NYSDEC in developing a plastic pesticide container-recycling program. First one in New York State located in Riverhead, Long Island, with a recent opening in the Syracuse, NY area.

· Worked with local legislator in Suffolk County, Long Island in changing language of proposed “Aesthetic Ban” of pesticides, to more accurately reflect industry and homeowner usage, and industry needs.