Advocacy Hub

GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador Rory Van Poucke has made great strides when it comes to engaging his assigned federal policymaker Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), member of the United States House of Representatives since 2011, representing Arizona's 4th congressional district. Gosar serves as the chairman of the Western Congressional Caucus.

A look at the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) fly-in to Washington, D.C. and an update on where GCSAA's priority issues stand in Congress.

The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor announced July 17 that it will release an additional 15,000 visas this week for H-2B employers with start dates prior to Oct. 1, 2017.

In late June, the DOL dropped its defense of the Obama administration's overtime rule, but indicated it will defend the agency's right to set a salary threshold on who qualifies for overtime pay in the future.

The EPA has released drafts of its human health and ecological risk assessments of 2,4-D as part of its ongoing registration review process.

The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers released their joint proposal on June 27 to rescind the 2015 Clean Water Rule (i.e., “WOTUS rule”). Following the repeal of the rule, a replacement will be promulgated. GCSAA applauds this first step in the WOTUS rule repeal and replace effort and looks forward to working with EPA and Corps officials to help redefine what a “water of the United States” is under the Clean Water Act to help provide regulatory certainty to golf facilities.

GCSAA is working with multiple industry stakeholders on an urgent pesticide regulation related issue, and your help is needed. Currently, the EPA is evaluating whether to further restrict pyrethroid use for professionals. Inappropriate regulations can significantly impact your lives and livelihood, and GCSAA needs you to voice your concerns by July 7 to help the EPA better understand the important role that pyrethroids serve in your ability to provide your services and protect the public.