For a business owner, there is nothing worse than feeling powerless to change the conditions that affect how your business operates, the products that you provide, and most importantly, the strength of your bottom line. Of course, there will always be circumstances that are beyond anyone’s control, as the economic downturn of the past couple of years has repeatedly demonstrated.
But as individuals, and as an organization, there is a great deal that we can do to affect the federal legislation and regulations that have such a significant impact on our businesses.
That’s why I’m taking this opportunity to urge you to attend the NAHB’s 2010 Legislative Conference on Wednesday, April 21, in Washington, D.C.
The Legislative Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity to take our priorities and concerns directly to lawmakers, and it is vitally important that we continue to show the strength of the home building industry through robust participation.
The Legislative Conference begins with an early morning briefing on key issues before we head to Capitol Hill for meetings with members of Congress. Afterward, we will regroup to discuss the day’s events and any follow-up actions that are necessary. At press time, it was too early to say exactly which issues we will discuss with members of Congress in these meetings, but likely to be at the top of the list are such topics as the future of the housing finance system, concerns about appraisals, and access to AD&C financing.
If you have never attended a Legislative Conference, you might be thinking that one person more or less at the conference won’t make much of a difference and you can send e-mails or make telephone calls to your members of Congress.
E-mails and telephone calls are great ways to stay in touch with lawmakers throughout the year. However nothing will stand out more in a legislator’s mind than the kind of face-to-face meetings that we hold at the Legislative Conference. And the victories that we achieved last year with regard to home buyer tax credits and net operating loss tax relief are perfect examples of what we can accomplish when we marshal our collective strength in pursuit of essential goals. Moreover, you just cannot put a value on the satisfaction of knowing that you have accomplished something that will help not only your business, but your industry and the consumers who count on us to build their homes.
So please put Wednesday, April 21, on your calendar and plan on attending the NAHB’s 2010 Legislative Conference. It could be the best business decision you make all year, and we’re counting on you to help make it a very productive event.
Visit www.nahb.org/LegCon for more information and to register, and I will see you in Washington on April 21.
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