Senator, commerce secretary address ANLA, talk labor
Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez addressed more than 200 nursery-industry professionals last week at the ANLA Legislative Conference. Craig stressed the importance of the AgJOBS proposal and ag labor reform not only for the nursery industry, but for keeping domestic ag production in place. "Great nations do not rely on other nations to provide the basics," Craig said. Gutierrez also said immigration reform has to pass soon. "It's too important for our national security. It's too important for our economic security. It's too important for our future," Gutierrez said.

Legislation would require paid sick leave
A Senate bill introduced during the immigration-reform talks would require employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. Sens. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, introduced S. 1681, the Family Leave Insurance Act. The bill seeks to provide up to 8 weeks of paid leave to take care of an employee's own serious illness; a child, spouse or parent with a serious illness; or a newborn or recently adopted child. Under the bill, employers would pay leave benefits through their regular payroll and be reimbursed by the Family Leave Insurance Fund. Employees and employers would both be required to pay a premium into the fund, roughly 0.2% of the employee's earnings. Participation would be mandatory for businesses with more than 50 employees. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees can opt into the program at a 50% discount and pay 0.1% premiums. The bill has been referred to a Senate committee.

Gypsy moths defoliate New Jersey
More than 320,000 acres of trees in New Jersey were defoliated by gypsy moth caterpillars this spring, the highest amount since 1990, when more than 431,000 acres of trees experienced leaf loss. The number of acres defoliated more than doubled this year from last year's total of 125,743. A dry spring kept the fungus Entomaphaga maimaiga from naturally killing off the caterpillars. The state's aerial defoliation survey provides a map of the pest throughout the state.

California tries alternative LBAM control
Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. last week began treating residential areas in Oakley and Napa for light brown apple moths with pheromone "twist ties." The ties are twisted loosely around branches and fence posts. The ties are supposed to distract the moths and keep them from breeding. Studies have shown interfering with their breeding cycle helps eradicate the pests. The ties will be removed or replaced in 90 days.

Worth a visit
View the industry's most comprehensive lineup of new perennial plants. Only on GreenBeam.com.

BroadStar™ -- a preemergence broad spectrum granular herbicide, fights resistance providing the longest residual control of any herbicide for containerized woody ornamentals.

Hortica is the horticultural industry advocate that is a trusted partner for your business insurance, employee benefits and personal insurance. Contact Hortica to discuss your needs.