Constant Vigilance

The 2020 General Assembly session demonstrates our need for constant vigilance. Bills banning specific pesticides, strengthening the Certified Fertilizer Applicator program, and regulating large chemical tanks are just three of many pieces of legislation that affect us. Fortunately, many level-headed, environmentally-friendly, and industry-friendly persons serve in the General Assembly. Without them, our endeavors to fight for the turfgrass and landscape industries would be fruitless. The VTC is preparing an end-of-session legislative summary. That document will detail issues we face, but allow me to focus on two: increasing minimum wage and weakening Virginia’s status as a Dillon Rule state.

The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is a baseline. States can require employers pay above that standard. Multiple bills seek to increase the federal minimum by 50%, 75%, or even 100%. The final outcome is unclear as I write this column, but one thing is crystal clear: Virginia’s minimum wage will increase. An informal survey of our members discovered the increase will only have moderate impact because many of you already pay well above the federal level. Lack of persons willing to work in our industry — not entry level wages — is the main reason many of you are not expanding your businesses.

Over 100 years ago, Judge Dillon of Iowa established a model of the relationship between state and local (city, county) governments. That model has become known as the Dillon Rule. Virginia is one of about 30 states following his model. Simply stated, in a Dillon Rule state, localities only have authority granted to them by the state. This model is important when we consider pesticides and fertilizers. In Virginia the state, not each city and county, sets the regulations. This year several legislators from urban areas are seeking to transition Virginia to a Home Rule model where cities and counties have authority over all areas not specifically forbidden by the state. Under that model local governments have vast authority over issues that should remain at the state level. Imagine the difficulties if each city in northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, or in the Richmond area had different regulations for pesticides and fertilizers.

Our work is challenging enough with the vagaries of weather, economics, personnel, and so forth without the added pressures of burdensome legislation. We will continue to fight for you.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D.,

VTC Executive Director

Tom Tracy, Ph.D., VTC Executive Director