WSEMA has hired Gordon Walgren to provide us lobbyist support in the
legislature. Gordon is currently the lobbyist for the Fire Chief's Association,
among some other smaller clients. He is highly respected in the Legislature, in
fact one Senator said to me yesterday upon hearing that Gordon was working for
us, "my goodness, you went right to the top"!
It is clear to me, having served on the Board the last couple of years, that
this move is long overdue. With the many recent events, both nationally and
locally affecting our profession, we need a full time presence in the
Legislature to deal with the many issues that will impact our lives.
In the one week that Gordon has been on the job he has more then proved his
worth by providing me key information and supporting me at appearances before
several different committees. As an example, at yesterday's Senate Committee on
K-12 Education, on a school safety bill (SB- 5097), while I did my politically
correct testimony before the Committee, Gordon was in the back of the room with
the Bill's sponsor sharing some of our language concerns and providing him with
our recommended rewrite.
The hiring of the lobbyist for this year is being handled through our 2007
budget. Our ability to continue to do this in future years will hinge on our
dues structure. We have been at $30.00 a year for a long time now. The Board
will be bringing to the membership at the annual conference, a recommendation to
increase our dues to better support the organization. I have know idea what the
fee may be, but it is something that we will have to strongly consider if we are
going to move forward.
