Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1498036
10 PalletCentral • March-April 2023 palletcentral.com POLICY PLAY POLICY POLICY POLICY AT W e are thrilled to have seen so many of you at this year's Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) in Fort Worth, Texas. During the conference, we hosted two important advocacy events: the Government Aff airs Committee meeting and a special PalletPAC Congressional Reception with three members of Congress who are critical legislators in the industry. For those who couldn't attend, we want to update you on what happened and preview our work for this year. Core: Government Affairs Committee During ALC, discussion at the Government Aff airs Committee meeting focused on three main topics: a Congressional update, a regulatory update, and reviewing and approving policy priorities for the 118th Congress. e committee heard from two special guests, Raising Our Profi le, Identifying Legislative Priorities for 2023 From workforce development to immigration reform to tax policy, our legislative priorities for the 118th Congress are robust means of further enhancing the industry. By Jason Ortega and Hallie Fuchs Jennifer Storipan, senior vice president of Lot Sixteen, and Michael Peelish, general counsel for the Law Offi ce of Adele Abrams. Jennifer kicked off the meeting by presenting insights on what to expect during the 118th Congress. en the committee discussed what issues to prioritize based on member survey data, where NWPCA members ranked their most pressing issues. e committee reviewed the top fi ve issues, discussing goals within each and making edits as needed. e fi nal language was voted on in committee and later reviewed and ratifi ed by the NWPCA Board of Directors during their March meeting. e document now The PalletPAC Congressional Reception More than 75 NWPCA members and three members of Congress, Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1), John Duarte (R-CA-13), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2) attended the PalletPAC Congressional Reception during ALC. They spoke one-on-one with our members and gave emotional speeches about their upbringings and back- grounds (all with previous experience, and familial ties in agriculture and farming). They understand the importance of hard work and manufacturing, having used plenty of pallets in their careers before Congress. Creating opportunities for members of Congress to interact directly with NWPCA members and hear fi rsthand about the industry is a top priority for our team. These interactions strengthen our bonds with key legislators and raise the overall profi le and influence of the industry in Washington. Reps. LaMalfa and Duarte sit on the House Commit- tee on Agriculture; LaMalfa is also the Ranking Member on the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee. Rep. Bentz is on the House Natural Resources Committee. Both committees play vital roles in creating legislation surrounding the wood products industry. The NWPCA Public Affairs team is working alongside other associa- tions and coalitions on farm bill wording that will work directly with Rep. LaMalfa's committee. We look forward to continuing to grow our relation- ships with these three members of Congress.