Walberg Named Legislator of the Year
 For 2011, the TCIA Board recognized Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) as Legislator of the Year. Walberg is the Chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. He also sits on the Homeland Security and the Oversight and Government Reform Committees.
As Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, he has been a loyal ally to the tree care industry. In June, Walberg invited TCIA to testify at a hearing on how OSHA is undermining state efforts to promote workplace safety. Peter Gerstenberger appeared on behalf of TCIA and was able to share details on the work the association has done to increase workplace safety across the country and OSHA's failure to promulgate a proper safety standard for the tree care industry. Walberg provided a valuable platform for TCIA to raise the profile of the issues impacting the industry, and has continued to be supportive.
In Walberg's role as a Member of the Education and Workforce Full Committee, he has stanchly opposed the efforts by the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board to deny employees crucial information about union representation, limit free speech communication by employers, and create legal pitfalls for small business owners facing union organizing drives. He has also shown support for H-2B visas as a co-sponsor of the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act.
Walberg received a scorecard rating of 89 percent from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for the 110th Congress, when he last served before being re-elected in 2010.
Congressman Walberg and his staff deserve to be honored for the contributions and support they have provided TCIA on both our legislative and regulatory agenda.
Support the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition
The Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition represents arborists, city mayors, community nonprofits, nursery and landscape professionals, urban planners, city managers, public works professionals, utility professionals, foresters, scientists, and others nationwide. We believe that urban and community forests are essential to:
- Deliver clean air and water;
- Reduce energy use;
- Provide an array of health and wellness benefits to the 80% of Americans who live in urban areas
SUFC members believe vibrant, vital communities grow from healthy natural systems. To promote livable communities, we create, conserve and sustain trees and green space in the places where people live. We are asking for your support for HR 3734 and HR 1733. Please contact your representative today.
Your Representatives in Washington Will Listen to You
Elected representatives listen to messages from voters back in their states. The ultimate objective is to get our industry organized in a way that will allow fast response to local and national issues.
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