California Platers Take Message to Statehouse

The Metal Finishing Association of California held its annual Legislative Action Day in Sacramento on March 19. The association represents surface finishing companies in both southern and northern California, and is a chapter of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF).

The group visits numerous state legislators to discuss issues related to the finishing industry. Bryan Leiker, executive director of the California chapters, said the group had a record turnout this year from the MFASC and MFANC chapters with more than 35 people attending the event. California Assembly Member Miguel Santiago was their guest dinner speaker.

“The main concern for MFASC visiting with the state legislators this year is the Air Quality Management District Issues Rule 1469, Rule 1480 and Rule 1426,” Leiker says. “AQMD is an out-of-control regulatory agency in Southern California, and they have started up again with unfair enforcement tactics.”

Leiker said the finishing members spoke to their legislators about the impact that the AQMD is having on the industry. They also met with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on new statewide chrome rules.

“CARB is a much better agency to work with than AQMD,” Leiker says. “They have been fair so far.”

The effort to inform and educate the state assembly did not end with the visit to Sacremento, Leiker says. “Overall, the meetings went very well,” he says. “We are working on setting up a few shop tours with some of the state senators.”

Visit mfaca.org.