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NAHB 2007 Legislative Conference

Attending NAHB’s 2007 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 6 … could be the best business decision that you make this year.

Decisions that affect your company’s bottom line are being made every day in the halls of Congress. Environmental regulations, tax policy, soaring health care costs and many other issues can add thousands of dollars to your annual operating budget, and Congress weighs in on each and every one of them.

The NAHB Legislative Conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss builder issues on Capitol Hill that will have a dramatic impact on your business and your bottom line.

The Legislative Conference also gives you the status of a Washington insider, allowing you to speak face-to-face with your members of Congress and to take a stand on the issues that affect you.

Take advantage of this special opportunity to educate your lawmakers on the issues that are impacting your business, costing you money and driving up the price of new homes.

Attending the 2007 Legislative Conference will provide you an unparalleled opportunity to:

1. Lobby members of Congress to protect your business
2. Establish lasting relationships with your elected federal officials
3. Share builder concerns in a national forum in Washington, D.C.
4. Learn the latest policy developments on the key issues affecting your business
5. Demonstrate your industry’s commitment to responsible policies, pragmatic reforms, effective programs and providing the resources necessary to meet our nation’s ongoing housing needs
6. Network and share business strategies with your peers
7. Learn how to be an effective advocate for your business and your industry
8. Make your views known on Capitol Hill
9. Do your part to ensure that NAHB’s issues are heard by Washington policymakers  
10. Galvanize a united front on Capitol Hill

Your participation can make a difference! In these challenging times – when other interest groups are clamoring to push their agenda in Washington – a strong builder turn out on June 6^th will send a powerful message to members of Congress:  Housing must remain a national priority.

Come to Washington and show your members of Congress the great work you do back home in building your communities. Urge your lawmakers to adopt sensible policies to enable your business to thrive and allow the nation’s home builders to fulfill their mission of providing safe, decent, affordable housing to all Americans.

We look forward to seeing you in Washington. For more information and to register for NAHB’s 2007 Legislative Conference, log on to www.nahb.org/legcon or call Jessi Boyce at 800-368-5242, x8334.[return to top]

Associates Member Awarded the Bill Polley/ BUILD-PAC Award

The 2006 Bill Polley/BUILD-PAC Award was presented to Ann Garvey, CGA, of the Eaton Area Habitat for Humanity in Charlotte, NC.  Ms. Garvey, a past recipient of NAHB’s Associate of the Year Award, was nominated by the Greater Lansing HBA for her unflagging commitment to government and legislative affairs at the local, state, and national levels.  She served on the state committee that oversaw the very first BUILD-PAC fundraising event in Michigan.  Her dedication to Michigan’s PAC and her presence garnered her an invitation from the governor to take part in a series of focus groups.

Ms. Garvey has carried on this work at the national level serving as a Congressional Contact since 2001.  She was also Vice-Chair of the BUILD-PAC Subcommittee that oversaw one of the most successful Associate fundraising drives ever.  The Committee raised more than $67,000, subsequently allowing the Associates to appoint a representative to the BUILD-PAC Board of Trustees.  In 2006, as Chair of the subcommittee, Associates once again surpassed all expectations, raising more than $115,000.  As Ms. Garvey begins her tenure as the 2007 Vice Chair of the Associate Members Committee, she will continue to make BUILD-PAC a top priority for Associate members, working diligently to remind them of how legislative activity affects them and how they can be a force for change.[return to top]

NAHB Gears Up For the 2008 Presidential Election Cycle

The 2008 election cycle is an important cycle for several reasons including that it is a Presidential Election Cycle.  By the spring of 2008, following the Iowa Caucus and February primaries, the nominees for the office of President of the United States will be established by each of the major political parties.  As a result, it is imperative our industry immediately begin constructive dialogue with these candidates to ensure that housing issues stay at the forefront of political debate.  As these campaigns are established, we must challenge them on the full range of housing issues. 

We want you to know that just as we have done in past elections, NAHB will NOT endorse a candidate in the 2008 Presidential contest.  We encourage you to choose as many possible contenders as you find interesting;  take the time to email, send material, and question the candidates as they campaign in your state.  Ask them where they stand on the issues and make sure they know you are a member of the National Association of Home Builders.

Help secure our industry’s seat at the front of the strategy table of the eventual nominees.  The more information, and support from home builders the candidates receive, the better chance we have of electing a pro-builder President.  “Through the strength of our members we can greatly impact the choice for the next President of the United States.  NAHB and its members are dedicated to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing to all Americans.  Let’s make sure our next President has the same goal.”   Brian Catalde, NAHB President.

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2007 BUILD-PAC Contacts

Oversees all BUILD-PAC fundraising strategy.  Primary contact for all BUILD-PAC matters.  Main contact for Associate Member, Building Systems Council and EOC matters.

Oversees the Capitol and Platinum Clubs fundraising.  Responsible for fundraising in the following states:  AK, AZ, AR, CO, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY

Oversees the Gold Key Club.  Responsible for fundraising in the following states: AL, CA, CT, DL, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VI, WV

Oversees fundraising for all councils including Associates Membership, Building Systems Councils, Multifamily Council, NCBC, NSMC, Remodeler’s, Senior Housing and Women’s Council.

Oversees coordination of BUILD-PAC disbursements and communication on such issues with Trustees.  Coordinates all contribution requests that come in from Members of Congress and candidates. 

Manages BUILD-PAC website and all electronic communications with contributors, Trustees and Members.

PAC assistant.  Oversees processing of contributions, maintenance of website and other PAC communications.

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Legislative Issues Heat Up On the Hill This Year

Global Climate Change

One of the key environmental priorities for the 110^th Congress is addressing global climate change.  Committee chairs in both the House and Senate have already begun holding hearings and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation to increase energy efficiency and conservation in all sectors of the economy – including housing.  Passing legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from homes, buildings, cars, and power plants is going to be a major focus for many lawmakers this session.  It will be increasingly important to ensure that housing affordability is preserved in any action that addresses housing, land use, and efficiency standards for home components.   

GSE Regulatory Reform

With Democrats taking over the majority in both the House and Senate the dynamic for consensus on GSE reform has changed significantly this year.  The new Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), has been moving quickly over the past several weeks on this reform effort, and new bill was recently introduced based on legislation NAHB supported in the 109^th Congress.  Recently, NAHB CEO and Executive Vice President, Jerry Howard, testified before the House Financial Services Committee to highlight several solutions that would enhance the new reform legislation.  NAHB will continue to work with both the House and Senate in the coming weeks and months to ensure that GSE reform legislation is crafted in a manner that protects the safety and soundness of the GSEs, while preserving the vitality of their government-sponsored status for the fulfillment of their vital housing mission.

Immigration Legislation

Upcoming BUILD-PAC Events Across the Country

Mark Your Calendars- BUILD-PAC is excited to announce several funsraiding events scheduled for 2007!  Take a look at the list below to see if there is an event in your state:

If you would like to hold a BUILD-PAC fundraiser in your area please contact the BUILD-PAC fundraise manager for your state:

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Club News

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