Please forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested.                               November 14, 2016
CASA Welcomes New Manager of Legislative Affairs
As part of our strategic plan, we are transitioning the primary responsibility for CASA's state legislative activities from a contract model to an in-house staff position. As such, we're very pleased to welcome Jessica Gauger to the CASA team as CASA's Manager of Legislative Affairs.
 
For several years, CASA has contracted with Michael F. Dillon & Associates (MFDA) to lead our state legislative advocacy efforts. [more...]
 
Election Yields Democratic Supermajority For California Assembly
While the Presidential election results dominated much of the discussion following Tuesday's election, California's Assembly Democrats quietly achieved a major election victory for their party by successfully "flipping" three key Assembly seats and getting their Democratic candidates elected over Republican incumbents. The three-seat gain gives Democrats a legislative supermajority, meaning they have enough members in their caucus to pass bills that require a 2/3 vote (such as new taxes or constitutional amendments), without any Republican votes. [more...]

CASA Winter Conference to Feature Infrastructure Panel
CASA is among many advocates weighing in with the new administration. Interest groups and analysts are scrambling to determine the kinds of initiatives that might emerge as priorities in 2017. Several democratic members of Congress have floated infrastructure and trade as potential areas of collaboration with the new President and the Republican Senate and House majorities. Additional funding for water infrastructure is a CASA priority, and there may be common ground with the incoming Trump administration.

In that vein, CASA's Winter Conference will feature a panel focusing on infrastructure, and specifically new opportunities and approaches to infrastructure development in California. Panelists will include a representative from USEPA, a regional perspective from the West Coast Infrastructure Exchange and a local case study from the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County involving stormwater management agreements.
 
Registration is open for the conference and more details, including a preliminary program, are available on  our website. 
CASA to Raise Key Wastewater Issues as Part of Presidential Transition 
As the Trump transition team focuses on cabinet appointments and other key issues for the new administration, we want to be sure that wastewater issues will receive their share of federal attention in the coming months.  CASA's federal legislative committee will meet in early December to put together the final touches on a transition briefing memo to be shared with the President's team.  Funding for infrastructure, including the State Revolving Fund and water recycling, regulatory streamlining and citizen suit reform are among the priorities for which we will advocate.
 
Planning to Join CASA in Washington D.C. in 2017?
The early months of the new administration and congress promise to be active and potentially historic. CASA will meet in Washington, D.C., February 27 through March 1, including a joint congressional reception and session with ACWA. Don't miss this opportunity to advocate on water issues and network with your colleagues. Registration is now open, and it's time to arrange your travel for the trip. Airfare is more affordable the further out you reserve your flights.
 
The conference is shifting to a new hotel. Both CASA and ACWA will be meeting at the St. Regis. Here is the link to our 2017 D.C. Policy Forum where you can reserve a hotel stay and register for the event.

Mixed Bag
It's Time to Renew Your Membership!
It's time to renew your membership and we've implemented a new automated renewal process. If you did not receive a message on November 7 from Bobbi Larson, executive director, about how to renew online, please contact Debbie Welch, association services manager at dwelch@casaweb.org. She will be happy to assist you.
 
Agency News
The City of San Diego's commitment to clean water was recognized Monday when the U.S. EPA announced its tentative approval of a modified permit for the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, an acknowledgement of the city's investment in a water recycling program that will divert millions of gallons of wastewater per day to a water purification facility that would have otherwise flowed into the Pacific Ocean. [ Read More]

Now Hiring!
CASA members have numerous opportunities  available. Visit our  Job Board  for details. 
Events

Date
Organization
Event
Location
Jan. 18-20, 2017 CASA Palm Springs
Feb. 27 - March 1, 2017 CASA Washington, D.C.
April 19, 2017 CASA/WateReuse  Sacramento

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