LEGISLATIVE CENTER

A primary goal included in the proposed strategic plan is to establish a legislative center to monitor and influence legislation at the state level.

EXCOM members will be asked to vote approval at the upcoming 26 April Oakland meeting. Members all over the state should let area directors know their thinking and feelings on this issue.

Currently the Council trys to meet its legislative obligation by working with the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) and a paid lobbyist. A passive activity, CAL-MOAA simply provides financial support to this effort along with about 20 other veterans related groups.

The strategic plan provides for use of a professional lobbyist, either in conjunction with some other group or a lobbyist firm representing the Council directly. Do we want to do this?

National MOAA has a legislative alert procedure in place. When important pieces of federal legislation are under consideration, members all over the country are alerted and asked to take appropriate action, ideally by visiting a legislator’s office, presenting requirements to the legislator or staff person, and asking for a vote in favor of the Association’s position.

In certain cases, National will recommend at least a telephone call or e-mail message to the legislators office, and even the mailing of special pre-addressed cards and letters provided in the monthly magazine.

Implementation of this goal could result in the establishment of a similar legislative alert system within the state and dealing with California legislation. It would take some work and other resources, but a system of e-mail member alerts could be created, which essentially would get important information to members in a timely manner, making it possible to influence legislators prior to a vote.

Is this something we want to do? If we set out to do it, will members have the interest and capability to act, thereby influencing the course of specific bills in the legislature?

Associated with such an effort would be formulation and distribution of policy guidance to affiliated chapters.

Although state level legislative emphasis to date has been on veterans homes, creation and operation of VA cemeteries, and in the recent past improved benefits for deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel, the Council would move ahead to issues such as retired military pay tax relief through reduction, if not the total elimination of such taxes.

With the War on Terror and other current conflicts around the world likely to continue for years, it’s very likely we’re going to see many future legislative initiatives dealing with active and retired military personnel. There are those who say we need to expend resources to influence the nature and direction of new laws. But do we really need to do this?

Is a legislative center to monitor and influence state level legislation in the interest of members really necessary? Will it do any good? Can the Council be influential with the Legislature? How much money do we want to spend doing this?

Again, the vote is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26th.

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