North Carolina CAD delegates Debby Sacra and her husband Ted Todd, of The Blossom Shop in Charlotte, prepare to head to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators. About a week after CAD, Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) signed on to co-sponsor the STARS Act (H.R. 863), after his staff met with the North Carolina delegation.
This week, members of the Society of American Florists’ North Carolina delegation at Congressional Action Days are celebrating a major victory: Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) has agreed to co-sponsor the STARS Act (H.R. 863), a bill that clarifies the definition of “seasonal” workers in the Affordable Care Act.
The news came about a week after CAD. During the event, the North Carolina group met with Chas Thomas, a legislative assistant to the congressman, and shared stories of how the confusing, sometimes conflicting, definitions in the current law hurt their businesses, a topic first-time attendee Mark Yelanich, Ph.D., of Metrolina Greenhouses Inc. in Huntersville knows all too well. (Yelanich is a member of SAF’s Growers Council.)
 Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Massachusetts), center, paid a visit to Jacobson Floral Supply just two weeks after Nick Fronduto, left, visited the congressman’s office during CAD. Also shown, Bill Jacobson, president. |
“Mark really did a great job explaining how the issue affects his business,” said Debby Sacra, of The Blossom Shop in Charlotte, who was at CAD with her husband, Ted Todd. “My impression is that, when it comes to this issue, there just isn’t enough awareness or real understanding” among lawmakers and their staff of the challenges the confusion poses to business owners.
Those “from the field” stories were among the group’s greatest resources, but they weren’t their only advantage. In fact, Sacra and Todd designed the floral arrangements for the wedding of the congressman’s daughter and Yelanich attended the event.
Those connections helped break the ice during the brief but powerful meeting in Pittenger’s office, said Sacra, a second-time attendee at CAD, who said this year was even “more comfortable” than her rookie year at the even two years ago. (The couple has made CAD a family affair; six years ago, Todd brought their son to the event.
 Charles Ingrum (right) hosted Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) at Dr. Delphinium Designs & Events in Dallas yesterday, as a follow-up to CAD. The congressman and his aide toured the business after Ingrum, pictured with store manager, Lizzie Dunnet, extended an invitation. |
“CAD is a great experience,” she said. “It feels really good to know you are taking action.”
That’s not the only CAD 2016 success story. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Massachusetts) visited Jacobsen Floral Supply in Boston today — taking up Nick Fronduto on his invite to visit when he visited Rep. Capuano’s office during CAD.
“He was very intrigued by our business and the industry,” said Fronduto of his first-time experience hosting a member of Congress at his operation. The congressman spent about 45 minutes at Jacobson’s, which gave Fronduto another chance to emphasize the industry’s priorities.
Yesterday, Dallas retailer Charles Ingrum hosted Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and his aide Travis Reynolds at Dr. Delphinium Designs & Events in Dallas. Ingrum, an SAF Board of Directors member, briefed the lawmaker on industry issues, provide a tour of his business and field questions about the floral industry.
“We toured him around our new greenhouse and showed him our remodel project,” Ingrum said. “We spoke about general business. He was very interested in learning more about the flowers and plants he saw. He also spoke to staff members about what they did. He also spoke to a couple younger staff members about the high schools they attended.”
If you had a positive interaction with a staff member or lawmaker at CAD, it’s not too late to follow up and invite the congressman or senator to your business for a tour, or to send additional information (and stories) about how both the confusion surrounding the ACA’s seasonal definition and the need for immigration reform influence and affect your business.
Need help? Looking for advice? SAF’s Senior Director of Government Relations Shawn McBurney is available to provide support. Email smcburney@safnow.org.
Check out all of the photos from CAD, here.