Victory on Retaining the LATC

The State Budget Conference Committee in early June 2009 forwarded the questions on eleven boards and committees to the Senate Business, Profession, and Economic Development Committee, which included the elimination of LATC and to transfer its function to the California Architects Board (CAB). Thank you all for your letters that were sent, faxed and/or e-mailed to this Committee. On Monday, June 15, 2009, the Senate Business, Profession, and Economic Development Committee heard the Administration (Governor’s) proposal to eliminate LATC and to transfer its function to CAB. The Committee voted to reject the Administration proposal to eliminate the LATC by a vote of 6-2. The motion to reject was made by the Chair and agreed to by the Republican Vice Chair. Andy Bowden and Mary Ann Aguayo represented the LATC and the CAB respectively. Dave Mitchell and John Nicolaus from CC/ASLA and Mark Christian from the AIA provided the majority of the testimony with Stephanie Landregan also providing comments regarding the impacts on the UC Extension Programs, if LATC was eliminated. The Sierra Chapters rounded up Robert Goss, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Folsom; Jeff Townsend, Managing Principal at Jacobs Engineering; Jim Simpson, Senior Landscape Architect, City of Folsom; and Steve Fuhrman and Wayne Kelly, Landscape Architects to speak in opposition. Lastly, the representative of PECG also testified in opposition of the Administration’s proposal to eliminate LATC. The Committee’s recommendations will go back to the State Budget Conference Committee for their consideration and action. CC/ASLA anticipates that the State Budget Conference Committee will accept the Senate Business, Profession, and Economic Development Committee recommendations intact. If not, the next round of letters will be needed in short order. It’s still a good time to inform your State Senator and Assemblyperson by letter to your opposition of the Administration (Governor’s) proposal to eliminate LATC and to transfer its function to CAB. Per Section 5620 of the Business and Professions Code created the LATC in 1997 and placed it under CAB.