Archive

Budget Update

December 8, 2010

Today Gov. AGAIN decides to tout implementation of ER as a way to bridge the budget gap. CCRA is aware of this and we're keeping a watchful eye on it. On Dec 9 the Budget Committee will meet and decide whether to address the Gov's proposals or not. We'll keep you informed of what happens on the 9th after the committee hears the entire budget plan.
From Fox40 KTXL:TV News: SACRAMENTO - December 6, 2010
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency, and is calling on the legislature during their special session Monday to address California's budget deficit.

The Governor presented a package that cuts more than $9 billion from a series of reductions and alternate funding.

Some of the cuts include: a reduction of $6.5 million in the Judicial branch by implementing electronic court reporting in trial courts. In the Health and Human services department, the California Healthy Families program would drop vision coverage, and increase monthly premiums.

The Governor proposes saving more than $110 million by cutting the amount of CalWorks grants by 15.7%.
He is also suggesting the legislature authorize advertising on changeable message signs along the highways for a fee.

President's Message

December 6, 2010

CCRA and DRA, in a joint effort, are working to control the practice of high dollar gift-giving by large corporations, which is a violation of the Court Reporters Boards gift-giving regulation that limits gifts to a maximum of $100 per recipient per year. These firms/corporations are ignoring this regulation and are giving large gifts to secretaries who book depositions with their firms.

Read the full announcement below.

CCRA is working on a number of issues this year for both officials and freelancers, not the least of which is the gift-giving issue and hopefully not having to deal with ER.

Keep checking CCRAs Web site for updates.

This past weekend, CCRA had its first board meeting of the 2010/2011 year and a Saturday night get-together and white elephant gift exchange at my house which was both relaxing and a lot of fun.

Have a very healthy, fun and prosperous holiday season and new year.

Warm regards and Seasons Greetings.

Debby Steinman
President, CCRA

Announcing An Important Victory For All Licensed Deposition Professionals

December 6, 2010

U.S. Legal - A firm not owned by a CSR - has been fined by the Court Reporters Board of California for violating the Board's rules on gift-giving.
Formal Complaint (#0910-117) Filed Against U.S. Legal Support
Illegal Activity of U.S. Legal Support

Court Reporting Profession Thanks CCRA!

October 15, 2010

California has the biggest court system in our country. The reality is what happens to our profession here affects the court reporting profession around the country. We must be committed and vigilant in our quest to ensure that our profession of steno reporting is preserved so the verbatim record we make on a daily basis will be protected. There is no better way to make a record!
Over 21 states have applauded the California Court Reporters Association and our legislative efforts. Here are a handful of thankful states:

"Congratulations to CCRA! I'm so proud of your efforts bearing such wonderful fruit so consistently. Your CATT program is obviously making a difference. Never underestimate the power of a committed group!"

"You rock! Thank you on behalf of reporters everywhere -- and party hearty at your 100th anniversary celebration."
Melanie Sonntag, NCRA President

"Carolyn, I'm profoundly proud of California's accomplishment. On behalf of Georgia court reporters, we salute your efforts. Thank you for such a wonderful gift! Very best wishes to California."

"Way to go, CCRA! Great teamwork" - Montana

"Nebraska Court Reporters Association would like to join in to congratulate the California Court Reporters Association on a job WELL DONE!!! You are an inspiration to court reporter associations across the US!!! And as was previously said, what a wonderful way to celebrate your 100th anniversary!!! Congratulations!"

"I want to add the congratulations of Wisconsin to the list. You are an inspiration to all. Celebrate and savor the victory!"

"Congratulations on work well done from Wyoming!"

"Congratulations from Texas!!"

"Congrats from Tennessee."

"Big Yahoo from Washington!! You've done groundbreaking work, Carolyn, and in the end you've motivated others to stand up and be heard. In the end, that's what it's all about! You've done such great work on behalf of our profession...your dedication and the tremendous goals you have achieved are painted all over the Internet!! You Rock! I am proud to have you as a friend!!"

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you,

Carolyn J. Dasher,
President, CCRA

Court Reporters Ready to Serve as Anchor of Closed Captioning Required by 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act that President Obama Signs into Law Friday

October 6, 2010

NCRA will have a presence at White House signing ceremony
VIENNA, Va., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When President Obama signs the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act into law on Friday, millions of citizens who are deaf or hard-of-hearing ultimately will have new-found access to video programming on the Internet through closed captioning. Working behind the scenes to make captioning of live Internet broadcasts possible will be realtime court reporters who serve as broadcast captioners, translating speech to text at speeds of 225 words per minute or faster.

This new law will require any and every video that, first, is broadcast on television and, then, distributed via the Internet to include closed captioning. Additionally, devices that display video such as smart phones, mp3 players, and DVRs must be capable of closed captioning and displaying video description and emergency alerts. For the large and growing amount of video content that will be broadcast live in the years ahead on television and over the Internet there will be a growing need for, and appreciation of, stenographic court reporters who work as broadcast captioners. That is one reason the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the court reporting profession will experience major growth in the years ahead, estimating that the profession will grow by 18 percent in the next eight years.

"Most people don't think twice about how closed captioning of live events takes place," said Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag, President of the National Court Reporters Association. "They might be in a restaurant or an airport and see text appearing across the bottom of a television monitor during a live newscast or sports program. They never have to think about the fact that somewhere those words are transformed from speech to text by human beings. And those human beings are realtime court reporters."

Indeed, it has been stenographic court reporters, using realtime technology, who have worked hand in glove with the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities to ensure that captioning of live television programming has been possible over the past three decades. Using a sophisticated system of symbols and abbreviations, known generically and simplistically as "shorthand," broadcast captioners enter shorthand into their realtime stenographic machines, which then filters through a computer and simultaneously appears on a video screen or monitor in English for users. This sophisticated system ensures that those who are reading the proceedings rather than listening to it never miss a moment of the action. Stenographic court reporting not only requires a mastery of shorthand and its associated technology (which, itself, requires intense and ongoing training), but also demands an uncompromising knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and linguistics.

In an August statement on S.3304, as the Act was known during the legislative process, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), sponsor of the partner bill in the House of Representatives, said, "Two decades ago, Americans with disabilities couldn't get around if buildings weren't wheelchair accessible; today it's about being Web accessible. The ADA mandated physical ramps into buildings. Today, individuals with disabilities need online ramps to the Internet so they can get to the Web from wherever they happen to be."

While closed captioning on television serves as the most prominent application of realtime court reporting, its use in courtrooms and depositions has allowed those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to have fair and equal access to legal proceedings in courtrooms and depositions. This includes everyone from plaintiffs to defendants, jurors, judges, attorneys, and the public. Realtime court reporting also is gaining popularity in classrooms and other venues through what is known as "Communication Access Realtime Translation," or "CART," allowing people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to enjoy equal participation in day-to-day activities that people without hearing impairments take for granted.

"When you envision the amount of live-broadcast events that will be streamed to the Internet so that people can watch them on their computers, smart phones, and iPads and then the corresponding need for realtime court reporters to provide captioning services, this is a significant event for the court reporting profession," said Humphrey-Sonntag. "The country will be relying more than ever on the skills of stenographically trained realtime captioners to meet the demands of the marketplace, and we are more than ready for the challenge."
"The stenographic court reporting profession has a long and storied history, and we take great pride in ensuring that an accurate record is taken and maintained," continued Humphrey-Sonntag. "In recent years, we have been able to harness technology and use our skills for the benefit of society outside of the legal arena and our impact has been profound. What excites me most about the new 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is not just that there will be new opportunities for court reporters, though that certainly is true, but also that we will be able to use our skills to ensure that everyone has access to the information and resources that are shaping our future."

No Digital Recording In The California Budget!

October 5, 2010

Last week as the Governor, Assembly Speaker John Perez, Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, and minority leaders Assemblymember Martin Garrick and Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (The Top Five) hammered out a handshake agreement for the California budget, the Governor tried once again to add implementation of digital recording.
Because of the lobbying efforts on behalf of court reporters, key individuals in the budget process were informed of crucial decision-making information, and the legislators did not accept the Governor's argument for digital recording.

CCRA leadership had a district meeting just two weeks ago with Assembly Speaker Perez's office where the District Director asked for more crucial information. CCRA provided the Speaker with updated information the following morning.

CCRA also had communications with Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg's office, and had important paperwork delivered to Assemblymember Garrick's office as well as Senator Hollingworth's district offices.

CCRA will continue to work hard educating the key players in California.

With our California Action Team Training, (CATT), we will continue to educate our members on how to further our legislative lobbying efforts.

Join us October 15 through 17 as the California Court Reporters Association celebrates its 100th convention. 100 years of promoting the court reporting profession. 100 years of advocating before the legislature. 100 years and going strong!

Thank you to all CCRA members. Your membership and PACCRA donations make it possible for CCRA to continue to support our chosen profession.

Senate Bill 1181 was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger!

September 30, 2010

CCRA is proud to announce the signing of Senate Bill 1181 authored by Senator Gilbert Cedillo from Los Angeles.

In 1981, the Transcript Reimbursement Fund (TRF) was established to help indigent litigants access to court reporter services. A portion of our CSR dues goes into the Transcript Reimbursement Fund.

SB 1181 was written to allow pro per litigants the same access to the TRF as indigent parties utilizing attorney services. CCRA sponsored this bill to help ensure equal access to justice for all parties.

CCRA began researching and writing SB 1181 last November during its legislative meeting. There was discussion back and forth between CCRA and the Senator's office. The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Corbett, had questions which CCRA promptly answered. After a few minor changes, the bill moved forward and was signed by the Governor Wednesday, September 29, 2010.

CCRA holds two legislative meetings per year. Anyone is welcome to submit legislative ideas for consideration. Last year, Assembly Bill 170, authored by Tony Mendoza from Buena Park, was signed. AB170 protects the court reporter's realtime feed as a rough draft, not able to be cited or used, thus requiring the finished product to be purchased as the official record.

Each year, CCRA puts forth legislation to further promote and protect court reporters and their profession. Please join us in our legislative efforts by making a donation to PACCRA, CCRA's Political Action fund. The PAC donations help fund CCRA's efforts in Sacramento on your behalf.

Join us October 15 through 17 in Sacramento to celebrate CCRA's 100 years of legislating, protecting, and promoting the profession of court reporting in our beautiful state of California.

Dollars for depos: A risky business!

By Early Langley, CSR, RMR
September 17, 2010

Getting $25 gas cards from some court reporters and not others? Is your assistant accumulating points for a trip you dont know about? Or going on a $250 shopping spree that could put you or your client up on the Internal Revenue Services radar? In that last deposition you were in, did you find out that the court reporter offered an unfair price break to one party and not you, putting the reporter in ethical jeopardy?

Those $25 gas cards, $250 shopping sprees and favored depo-pricing schemes fill up a shopping cart of ethical issues that undermine and dilute the integrity of the court reporting profession and the status of the reporter as a neutral and impartial officer of the court.

While gift giving is nothing new, the marketing programs of certain entities engaging in the court reporting business merit a second look. To start off, not all court reporting agencies may be owned by licensed certified shorthand reporters anymore; theyre owned by a conglomerate of lawyers, believe it or not, or other business people whose principal place of business may be outside of California.

To grab as much business as they can, theyve created simple point systems to award their clients, sometimes with no questions asked. And then there is the case of a reporting entity offering $25,000 to a law firm to switch court reporting firms for business.

You might be saying so what? The airline industry does it. The hotel and restaurant industries do it. And so do retail stores. Whats the difference?

Its simple: The California certified shorthand reporter is an officer of the court, prohibited by law under the Professional Standards of Practice from giving gifts to clients or potential clients in excess of $100 in the aggregate per person or entity per year.

Nothing else needs to be said. You would be shocked if a judge accepted gifts, kickbacks, or rebates to influence his or her decision. You wouldnt expect a court clerk or bailiff to engage in practices that favor one side or the other.

But a non-certified shorthand reporter-owned firm is not an officer of the court. They can engage in business that gets away with unethical and improper deal-making to buy business.

The California Court Reporters Association cosponsored with DRA legislation this year, AB 1461 (Ruskin), which would have imposed the same ethical laws upon any business entity engaging in the practice of court reporting. It failed due to the efforts of conglomerate-owned, non- certified shorthand reporter-owned firms efforts to block it.

In opposing AB 1461, they simply stated that violations of the new law would necessitate the Court Reporters Board of California, the governing and enforcing entity over reporters, to hire extra staff to investigate and impose fines, which would have a fiscal impact on the state; hence, the bill suffered a defeat. The states budget crisis worked to the advantage of these entities engaged in the business of providing or arranging for shorthand reporting services.

In April 2009, the National Court Reporters Association began a nationwide Ethics First campaign to alert its members and the legal community of the ethical impropriety involved in gift giving. The associations goal was to promote the integrity of the reporting profession and the status of the reporter as a neutral and impartial officer of the court.

The California Court Reporters Association adopted and supported the National Court Reporters Associations opinion: A Member shall [r]efrain from giving, directly or indirectly, any gift, incentive, reward or anything of value to attorneys, clients, witnesses, insurance companies or any other persons or entities associated with the litigation, or to the representatives or agents of any of the foregoing, except items that do not exceed $100 in the aggregate per recipient each year.

Looking at it from the viewpoint of your law firm and staff, receiving these gifts and rebates presents another complicated set of issues - some ethical, and some tax-related.

A client brings a large case to your office. Your secretary/assistant reads an e-mail from a hungry court reporting entity offering gifts, $25 gas cards, a $250 shopping spree, maybe even a trip to some exotic place if your office books the depositions.

Who does the gift belong to? Should your client be entitled to a reduction in fees to reflect the cost of the gift, or entitled to the gift itself? And how do you know that your client is not overpaying for the reporting fees that cover this marketing scheme? How do you know if your firm is overpaying for these reporting rewards programs? It makes a difference. Why? It could become a risky and costly loss to you and your firm if you took the case on a contingency basis and lost it.

Someone pays for those enticing gifts, kickbacks and rebates. And the consumer, including you, the lawyer, is unprotected from the loss without even knowing it, all at the expense of marketing strategies by companies not governed by California law, not owned by California certified shorthand reporters.

Minnesota has rules designed to protect the consumer by requiring that a lawyer consult with his or her client before accepting gifts that are not nominal in nature. Along the same lines, the American Bar Association, in its published Opinion 278, states that a lawyer should not accept a gratuity from anyone without the clients consent and that the gratuity belongs to the client.

To protect themselves from unforeseen ethical and tax consequences, many California law firms have policies that prohibit the practice of receiving anything but nominal gifts such as mugs, flowers, cookies and chocolates.

But the lure of iPods, $25 gas cards and vacation packages, while hard to resist, pose a complicated set of tax consequences for both the recipient law firm and the donor entity engaged in court reporting.

If an attorney or employee receives gifts that aggregate to more than $600 within a year for using a court reporting entity, they may have the look and feel of gifts but the IRS could consider them income. And the amount received by the recipient attorney or employee must be declared as such.

If the non- certified shorthand reporter-owned entity makes gifts exceeding the $600 ceiling to a particular individual or entity within one taxable year, then the total amount provided must be reported in Box 7 of Form 1099-MISC. As for the deductibility of these expenses/payments, if they are ordinary and necessary and do not violate state laws, its okay to deduct them as long as the entity engaging in court reporting treats the payments as compensation to the recipient and issues a 1099 to the recipient law firm.

Another scenario: A court reporting entity tells a law firm that if you accumulate X number of points or use our services X number of times, then youll only be charged $75 (regular fee is $100) for depositions. The law firm bills the client $75. Its a wash for income tax purposes. But if the law firm turns around and bills the client at the regular amount, $100, then the law firm has $25 in income and must report it.

No matter how you cut it, you would have a hard time convincing the IRS that these gifts were not taxable compensation to you, the lawyer, or your employee. And whether a payment constitutes a gift or compensation would be made on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, the law may even deem the gift as taxable income to your client.

Make no mistake about it: A gift in the statutory sense proceeds from a detached and disinterested generosity. Any certified shorthand reporters or non- certified shorthand reporters -owned entity giving these kinds of gifts is anything but disinterested and may unwittingly be putting you in jeopardy.

The bottom line: Beware of gimmicks in the form of gifts. They may cost someone and that someone may be you.

California Budget - The Fight Is Not Over!

September 2, 2010

The Governor's comments this week are nothing new. Remember, this $100 million the Governor keeps bringing up is the same proposal that has been, time and again, rejected by the legislature. See his comments regarding electronic recording at 6:17. Click here to view video.

The Justice Served report submitted to the Department of Finance last December, A Study of Court Reporting and Digital Recording (DR) in the California and Florida Courts, rebuts the monetary savings. Click here to view report.

CCRA has been working diligently over this entire year in the trenches of the capitol. You may not be aware of all the meetings CCRA has had over the past three years with the Governor's office, legislators, etc. CCRA leadership works hard meeting and discussing our profession and the technological advances we offer.

Last October, CCRA leadership attended a meeting with the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance makes financial recommendations to the Governor for his budget. Specific questions were submitted to CCRA leadership. A report was formulated by Juctice Served based on the questions from the Deaprtment of Finance.

In December of last year, CCRA submitted the report to the Department of Finance, as well as other legislative committees, comparing the costs of a DR courtroom with a live court reporter.When Governor Schwarzenegger announced his 2010 budget, DR was not included!

In January of this year, CCRA formulated legislation, Senate Bill 1181, allowing pro per litigants to utilize the Transcript Reimbursement Fund.

In February of this year, CCRA was successful in having Senator Cedillo (Los Angeles) author SB 1181. CCRA worked hard getting figures and information together to help push this bill through.In May, the budget was still not signed. The Governor submitted his May budget revision, asking, once again, to eliminate court reporters. CCRA leadership was up in Sacramento in May talking to the appropriate legislative consultants.

In May of this year, CCRA leadership attended an event for Fiona Ma, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. We are forging new relationships in the Capitol.Your CCRA lobbyist has worked hard all summer vigilantly watching the legislature as they go through the budget process. He has been advocating on behalf of CCRA's legislation, SB 1181.

CCRA leadership spoke with appropriate legislative consultants regarding SB 1181 back in May 2010. Senate Bill 1181 has had only aye votes in both the Senate and the Assembly. On August 30th, CCRA drafted a letter urging Governor Schwarzenegger to sign SB 1181 into law. We wait to see if our Governor will sign this bill that helps pro per litigants.

The legislative session ended on Tuesday and still there is no budget. The Governor is frustrated, as is the legislature. Rest assured, not a single stone has been left unturned. We are in contact with the legislative leaders and watching the situation very closely. Each and every time the Governor touts his proposal, CCRA responds in the appropriate manner in the halls of the capitol, where it matters the most. This is where we need to fight, as this is where the laws are made or changed.

CCRA is in the frontline of the DR battle - not once, not once in a while - but every time. CCRA is the premiere association that protects and promotes your profession - advocating your technological role in the judicial field, both official and freelance. CCRA has submitted - and has gotten passed - more legislation than any other association - legislation that protects our profession. We need your help. We need donations to our political action fund, PACCRA. Click here to donate to PACCRA.

Just last year, Utah lost all official court reporter positions to an electronic medium. DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN IN CALIFORNIA. If the legislature follows Arnold's lead, our profession will take a big hit. Officials would be out of jobs flooding the freelance market that is already suffering...I'm beginning to sound like a broken record.

The California Court Reporters Association values your membership. Your membership makes it possible for CCRA to employ an experienced lobbyist who tracks legislation, proposes legislation, and advocates to keep stenographic reporting alive. Your membership is essential to protecting our profession. RENEW OR JOIN NOW! CCRA will always fight those issues that negatively impact our profession. Please be on the CCRA team. We need to work together.

Carolyn J. Dasher,

President, CCR

CCRA President's Message

August 30, 2010

What has CCRA done for me lately?

California Court Reporters Association values your membership.

Your membership makes it possible for CCRA to employ an experienced lobbyist who tracks legislation, proposes legislation, and advocates on behalf of our profession.

CCRA leadership works hard meeting and discussing our profession and the technological advances we offer.

Last October, CCRA leadership attended a meeting with the Department of Finance and CCRA commissioned the frim Justice Served, to formulate a report based on questions the Department of Finance asked.

In December of last year, CCRA submitted the report to the Department of Finance, as well as other legislative committees, comparing the costs of a DR courtroom with a live court reporter. When Governor Schwarzenegger announced his 2010 budget, DR was not included!

In January of this year, CCRA formulated legislation, Senate Bill 1181, allowing pro per litigants to utilize the Transcript Reimbursement Fund.

In February of this year, CCRA was successful in having Senator Cedillo (Los Angeles) author SB 1181.
CCRA worked hard getting figures and information together to help push this bill through.

In May, the budget was still not signed. The Governor submitted his May budget revision, asking, once again, to eliminate court reporters. CCRA leadership was up in Sacramento in May talking to the appropriate legislative consultants.

In May of this year, CCRA leadership attended an event for Fiona Ma, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. We are forging new relationships in the Capitol.

Your CCRA lobbyist has worked hard all summer vigilantly watching the legislature as they go through the budget process.

CCRA leadership spoke with appropriate legislative consultants regarding SB 1181. Senate Bill 1181 has had only aye votes in both the Senate and the Assembly. We wait to see if our Governor will sign this bill that helps pro per litigants.

CCRA is in the frontline of the DR battle not once, not once in a while but every time. CCRA is the premiere association that protects and promotes your profession advocating your technological role in the judicial field. CCRA has submitted and has gotten passed - more legislation than any other association.

CCRA will always fight those issues that negatively impact our profession.

Carolyn J. Dasher,
CCRA President

California State Budget Update

August 25, 2010

The California budget is not yet signed. We are not out of the woods. And, unfortunately, theres no full moon to see our enemies coming!
Today, the Governor, in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce in Goleta, Santa Clara Valley, once again lashed out at court reporters:
"We have court reporters. That's old fashioned. We don't need a court reporter anymore that is typing away. We have now the cameras, we have the recording devices, we have everything. But because labor insists on keeping them even though we don't need them, it costs us hundreds of millions of dollars every year extra."

If you think for one minute that we can keep our guard down, think again. We must all stay proactive in our quest for educating those around us about our profession and how we maintain the integrity of the record.

CCRA is committed to protecting and preserving the profession of court reporting. The CCRA Board is working right now on a strategy to minimize the impact of our Governors words. How sad that the very instrument of our profession words can be used against us!

Freelances and Officials alike are affected by the economy and the decisions of the legislature. Please stay tuned for any call to action as we wait for the California budget to be agreed on and signed.

What can you do? Continue to learn about the technology available to court reporters by attending classes; belong to your local and state associations; attend association meetings and learn about whats happening in your state, and make sure CCRA has your contact information so you are available to help.

Welcome

August 12, 2010

Welcome to the new California Court Reporters Association Web site. Guaranteed to be faster, more efficient, and more informative!

We are so happy to be able to reach our members through an electronic medium, but it was time for an upgrade. Thanks to Past President Lesia Mervin, our technology guru, and the many board members and committee members of CCRA who spent hours going through information and revamping different informational Web pages! I'm sure you'll enjoy your experience.

The new Web site offers a Members Only section. Once you sign in, you can use the new member directory and map, edit your profile, and register for events with most of the fields already populated with your information.

The dynamic home page of the CCRA Web site will be updated often with the latest and most relevant information. Please check back frequently!

It's the beginning of August and things are fairly quiet on the legislative front. We're all still waiting for a state budget. Different courts are still negotiating court closures. CCRA is monitoring AB2284 which streamlines civil jury trials.

Freelancers are still fighting with big businesses that bypass the Court Reporters Board rules and acquire business by gift giving. CCRA has been in touch with the Court Reporters Board. The CRB knows about this issue and needs your help reporting any egregious and blatant gift-giving campaigns.

The California Court Reporters Association is committed to protecting and promoting the profession of stenographic reporters. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any thoughts or concerns.

Happy browsing!
Carolyn J. Dasher, President, CCRA

CCRA's 2010 Centennial Convention

CCRA's 2010 Centennial Convention is a celebration of the past, present, and the future of court reporting! So bring your friends and your memories, too, we want to celebrate this party with you. Saturday evening will feature a Mardi Gras extravaganza!

We have a very exciting event planned at the Capitol where you can hone your lobbying and legislative skills or sit back and watch our legislative process in action. Earn up to 1.90 CEUs and see the industry's premier vendors in the exhibit hall. Enjoy the many networking sessions and enjoy learning about the past, present and future of the court reporting profession.

The 2010 CCRA Centennial Convention is a great value. Conference registration includes three receptions, two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner. You won't want to miss these meals as you will receive CEUs for participating. When you're not attending classes you are within walking distance of the city's best shopping and restaurants. Treat yourself to all of the historic charm that Sacramento has to offer.

Register now!