Politicians understand dollars

It’s time to end the madness of political leaders who execute sweeping and rigid water restrictions including outright bans on landscape irrigation.

This industry understands the severity of depleted water sources.

This industry understands the science of how the right plant in the right place help resolve drought.

And above all, this industry understands its significant economic impact to cities, counties and states. It’s all about the money.

Letter-writing campaigns and phone calls to politicians are helpful. But I urge you to schedule a face-to-face with mayors, councils, and state and national representatives. Legislators need to understand the seriousness of their regulatory actions in economic terms.

You can’t simply say, “Save our businesses, please!” Instead, tell them how many millions of dollars the green industry pumps into the local and state coffers and urge them to continue that economic benefit.

Has your state’s green industry association or extension service prepared an economic impact report lately? If so, get a copy. Highlight it. Wave it in front of every politician you can find.

After you’ve appealed to their economic side, back up your points with university research. Tell them about landscaping practices that conserve water and reduce fertilizer runoff. Explain the heat island effect.

Yeah, it’s spring and you’re busy. Let your staff run things for a day or two and head to town, to the capital city or D.C. You can’t afford not to go.

-- Kelli

Comments

[Ricardo Maxwell]

Thanks, Kelli, for a great and accurate post. Education is the answer, as always. Our legislators and municipal, regional and state executives need to be educated about the POSITIVE effects of green plants on water relations and the positive effects of green businesses on their communities. The general public needs to be educated, as well. Knowledge is Power. Television, radio, and the internet are the primary ways that people now get their information.
And let's not ignore the fact the colleges and universities are cutting back on research funding. Yes, this is very difficult to believe but it is happening right here in Florida right now. These are the very people that we need to compile data and information and to assist us in making the case for green plants. Will many sit idly by while our industry is destroyed by misguided and UN-educated people with power?
We all know that green plants moderate and cool the environment. We also know that they trap and hold water. Green plants increase the humidity as well as shade and cool the ground around them, thereby DECREASING evaporation. Why not share this information with those that think they are "green" or are pretending to be so in order to please their constituency?