Underlining CUNA’s stepped-up efforts on legislative advocacy at the state level, two leagues, California and Texas, unveiled plans Friday for “Hike the State Capitol” programming.                      

In both states as well as elsewhere, the advocacy boost was part of a CUNA campaign to get better acquainted with the many freshman GOP lawmakers who took office in the elections last November.  

In California, however, the get-acquainted blitz is focusing on a Democratic administration–that of Gov. Jerry Brown with the California/Nevada Credit Union League detailing a hyped   

“Government Relations Rally” April 11-12 at the Sacramento Convention Center. 

“There are any number of bills being introduced in the state legislature with many on mortgages that need watching which is why rally participation is urgent this year,” explained

Melissa Ameluxen, the league’s director of state government affairs.

Invited to the “GRR” event are the governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Department of Financial Institutions Commissioner William Haraf who is a confirmed speaker.

In Texas, meanwhile, the state league said it has for the first time rearranged its scheduling at its annual meeting April 26-28 in Austin to debut a “Hike the Capitol” event in which delegates will be bused to the capitol building to meet with lawmakers. 

In a to-do list sent out this week, the Texas League urged attendees to “make your own appointments” on April 28 just at the conclusion of the conference but be sure “to prepare your material about your credit union” and become informed on the issues.

Then “report back on your visit with your elected official” using a reporting form provided by the league, the advisory suggested.

“By taking part in Hike the Capitol, you are helping to build relationships and educate lawmakers on the scope and efforts of credit unions in their community as well as providing valuable insight as to the unintended consequences of well intentioned” legislation, the league concluded.