Senator Richard Mountjoy Headlines Fall Seminar Jointly Sponsored by AQMD & CFMA

Furniture World Magazine

California State Senator Richard Mountjoy was one of four guest speakers at the CFMA "California Regulatory Update" Seminar co-sponsored by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD). He authored key legislation including Proposition 187 ruling and workers' compensation reforms of which CFMA assisted in battling. The breakfast meeting was held September 22, 1999, at & Industry Hills Sheraton in Industry Hills, California. Representatives from South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and Home Furnishings -Bureau were also on hand to give updates about coming changes to regulations from their prospective agencies that are certain to affect furniture manufacturers. Prior to introducing the AQMD speakers, CFMA President, Larry Parnell made an important announcement to the group of approximately 80 attendees. "Things are certainly heating up in Sacramento. For the first time ever, the AFMA (American Furniture Manufacturers Association), has contacted us and asked for our support. Gray Davis has a bill on his desk right now regarding the baby cribs and bunk beds. We are communicating with the AFMA and that is encouraging. This all the more reason we need your support. All the industry associations need to philosophically unite." Senator Mountjoy, who was introduced by Parnell as a "friend of the industry," serves on Senate Committees involving Appropriations, Health and Human Services and has dealt with issues such as solid and hazardous waste. Mountjoy conveyed his fervent opinions about current political leaders in California. He also shared details about the demise of Prop 187 and the "twisted reasoning" why the judge overseeing the case called the initiative unconstitutional. "She said if you deny benefits to those who cross our boarders illegally, you discourage them from coming here. If you discourage their illegal entry into the United States, you have dealt them in immigration, which is a federal authority." The initiative was thrown out and never reached the U.S. Supreme Court. "No one man, such as our governor, should ever have the ability to set aside an initiative by the people." The initiative would have been considered constitutional if the proper legal procedures had been made and was not circumvented by Gray Davis, according to the Senator. "I was in the legislature when Jerry Brown was governor and the Democrats had control of both houses. I can tell you that even in those days, the process was not abused as much as it is today." Jack Broadbent is the Deputy Executive Officer at AQMD and conversant in planning, rule development and area sources for the California government agency. The furniture manufacturing industry must monitor the increased activity by environmental groups seeking stricter air quality control legislation, Broadbent advised at the meeting. On August 7, 1999, a federal court ordered the AQMD to adopt 31 measures including Rule 1136, which calls for VOC limits in wood product coatings. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit included three environmental community groups who challenged the AQMD's 1997 Air Quality Management Plan, as it was never approved by United States Environmental Protection Agency -overseers of the state agency. "We have argued with the judge that many of these measures are infeasible, they don't make sense and they call for emission productions out of an industry whose emissions have dramatically declined," Broadbent said. Currently, AQMD finds itself in the position of implementing the 31 measures based on the judge's rulings or be found in contempt of the court. "The crux of the problem is that if the EPA would approve our '97 plan, the entire lawsuit goes away, but EPA has, to date, refused to do so. They also have not been forthcoming in telling us what is wrong with this plan," Broadbent said. "You can see we are very frustrated at this point." "Pom Pom" Ganguli, also from AQMD said that Best Available Control Technology (BACT, the state regulations) and Lowest Achievable Emissions Rate (LAER, federal regulations) are confronting similar troubles with EPA. A group including AQMD met in Washington DC, in September to attempt to bring some flexibility in ordering the regions to treat relocating sources as existing sources and considering cost effectiveness for new technologies among other concerns. "I am told that the EPA will take enforcement actions if they disagree with the district, Ganguli said. "We have been trying very hard to work with them and make sure that this doesn't happen." AQMD expects adverse proceedings to be taken by EPA however, according to Ganguli. Presently, EPA has put nothing in writing regarding this issue as well. Karen Hatchel, Chief of the Bureau of Home Furnishings & Thermal Insulation closed the program with a report from her office, which is streamlining regulations to be more easily understood by consumers and industry by cutting out redundancy. Hatchel, who has been Chief at the bureau for five years, said one important development at the bureau is the creation of import licensing requirements to level the playing field for all in the industry and to protect consumers. CFMA consists of over 120 furniture manufacturers and suppliers throughout California. The association's mission is to educate, promote and protect the interests of furniture manufacturing in California. CFMA leads the way in promoting legislation and regulations that govern the industry, has also been active in assisting its members in expanding domestic and international markets, and sponsors educational seminars.