This year, elections for all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 36 U.S. Senate seats, 36 governorships, and numerous state legislative and local government offices will take place Nov. 4. The incumbents and challengers are campaigning and want to learn as much about their constituents as possible.
While many contractors use associations and other groups to be their voice, legislators respond best to the people they represent; they depend on business owners to tell them how proposed legislation or regulations will affect their industry, their district or their companies and employees.
During the past few years, there has been an onslaught of burdensome regulations impacting construction businesses and without those businesses sharing their experiences and perspectives, uninformed elected officials and regulators will continue to issue these onerous rules.
Contractors and business owners should make an effort to meet and stay in contact with legislators. When a bill is coming up for a vote and there is not enough time for a personal meeting, sending an email can be the best option. Calling an elected official is also quick and effective. Elected officials’ offices almost always count the number of calls received for and against certain pieces of legislation, and consider these calls an informal gauge of their constituents’ opinions.
Another great way for construction contractors to develop a relationship with their legislators and give them a firsthand look at how policies impact a business is by hosting a site visit.
Next time there is a regulation that negatively impacts their businesses or a bill or issue they wish they could change, construction contractors and business owners nationwide should remember the power to make changes is in their hands.
Dan Brodbeck is the founder, president and CEO of Compass Partners LLC, Brentwood, Tennessee.
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