CAADAC Builds Licensure Coalition |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Apr 05 2007 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAADAC Builds Licensure Coalition
Excerpt from FREEDOM March-April 2006
Although the last year of a two-year legislative session is a difficult time to introduce controversial legislation, the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) is moving forward with plans to “fast track” legislation to the Governor’s desk to gauge the administration’s willingness to address one of the major problems facing the state’s treatment industry-consumer protection.
“It has been five years since Davis directed state officials to get a handle on abuses in our treatment system,” said CAADAC President, Warren Daniels. “And, based on the latest coverage by the Sacramento Bee, we still have a long way to go.” It is devastating for those who have worked in this profession for many years to watch the continued failure of the Administration to protect those who seek our expertise and assistance for such a life-debilitating disease.
CAADAC has been carefully building strong coalitions in the Legislature to support its ‘06 licensure piece. The organization has recently hired one of California’s top ten lobbying and law firms, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP; has met with some of the most dynamic legislators on both sides of the aisle; and has begun the process of providing both Business and Professions Committees with critical information needed for advising members about the proposal.
“I am very confident that we will see this bill move this year,” said Daniels. Rather than introduce a spot bill, with little legislative backing, CAADAC has decided to reach out to legislative committee members and their staffs to ensure that the bill is not a “Trojan horse.” Already the bill has heavy hitters Senator Deborah Bowen D-Redondo Beach and Republican Guy Houston giving it preliminary support.
“I think we are taking the right approach with the bill,” said Daniels. “We want solid support from key legislators before we advance.”
Because it is the second year of the session, CAADAC is looking at numerous bills that have cleared their house of origin and are no longer being utilized. CAADAC’s language will either be placed into one of these bills or, depending on advice of committee leadership, inserted into a newly introduced bill. In either case, CAADAC will need an immediate response from its members as soon as the vehicle is decided.
“All of the groundwork is being laid,” said Daniels. “We’ll need our members to come through for us by communicating to their legislators once a bill number is identified.” Time and time again it is proven that our legislation is only as good as the support given to it by the membership.
The 2006 licensure language is gathering momentum and was handed over to Legislative Counsel for print by Senator Bowen’s office. If it is placed in a new bill, it will need to go through both houses of the legislature before going to the Governor. If it takes the place of a bill introduced last year, it will need to clear one house and receive concurrence from its house of origin—a much faster track.
“There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches,” explained Daniels. “If we go the quicker route, we face some pretty urgent deadlines at every step of the way but we get it to the Governor more quickly. If we go the longer route, we have more opportunity for coalition building, but also a greater chance at getting sidelined until 2007.”
For the latest legislative news and for information on how you can JOIN the CAADAC PAC to help support CAADAC’s licensure bid, please visit CAADAC’s web site at CAADAC.org.
—Sherry Daley
Although the last year of a two-year legislative session is a difficult time to introduce controversial legislation, the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) is moving forward with plans to “fast track” legislation to the Governor’s desk to gauge the administration’s willingness to address one of the major problems facing the state’s treatment industry-consumer protection.
“It has been five years since Davis directed state officials to get a handle on abuses in our treatment system,” said CAADAC President, Warren Daniels. “And, based on the latest coverage by the Sacramento Bee, we still have a long way to go.” It is devastating for those who have worked in this profession for many years to watch the continued failure of the Administration to protect those who seek our expertise and assistance for such a life-debilitating disease.
CAADAC has been carefully building strong coalitions in the Legislature to support its ‘06 licensure piece. The organization has recently hired one of California’s top ten lobbying and law firms, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP; has met with some of the most dynamic legislators on both sides of the aisle; and has begun the process of providing both Business and Professions Committees with critical information needed for advising members about the proposal.
“I am very confident that we will see this bill move this year,” said Daniels. Rather than introduce a spot bill, with little legislative backing, CAADAC has decided to reach out to legislative committee members and their staffs to ensure that the bill is not a “Trojan horse.” Already the bill has heavy hitters Senator Deborah Bowen D-Redondo Beach and Republican Guy Houston giving it preliminary support.
“I think we are taking the right approach with the bill,” said Daniels. “We want solid support from key legislators before we advance.”
Because it is the second year of the session, CAADAC is looking at numerous bills that have cleared their house of origin and are no longer being utilized. CAADAC’s language will either be placed into one of these bills or, depending on advice of committee leadership, inserted into a newly introduced bill. In either case, CAADAC will need an immediate response from its members as soon as the vehicle is decided.
“All of the groundwork is being laid,” said Daniels. “We’ll need our members to come through for us by communicating to their legislators once a bill number is identified.” Time and time again it is proven that our legislation is only as good as the support given to it by the membership.
The 2006 licensure language is gathering momentum and was handed over to Legislative Counsel for print by Senator Bowen’s office. If it is placed in a new bill, it will need to go through both houses of the legislature before going to the Governor. If it takes the place of a bill introduced last year, it will need to clear one house and receive concurrence from its house of origin—a much faster track.
“There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches,” explained Daniels. “If we go the quicker route, we face some pretty urgent deadlines at every step of the way but we get it to the Governor more quickly. If we go the longer route, we have more opportunity for coalition building, but also a greater chance at getting sidelined until 2007.”
For the latest legislative news and for information on how you can JOIN the CAADAC PAC to help support CAADAC’s licensure bid, please visit CAADAC’s web site at CAADAC.org.
—Sherry Daley
Last changed: Apr 06 2007 at 4:51 AM
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