MESSAGE FROM THE EO Dear Members, Legislative advocacy may not seem like a crucial topic for the building industry, but for anyone who attended Legislative Night last week, our speakers were very persuasive in their remarks on how important it is to develop relationships with the lawmakers who represent you in Hartford. The former House Minority Leader, Larry Cafero, drew an analogy to being spectators while watching your favorite sports teams. We don’t have control over whether they play a zone defense or man to man and the result of the game really doesn’t impact our lives. Many of you may feel the same about the politics and the legislative process- that we can’t make a difference and that we are just spectators. Mr. Cafero explained however, that as a group we can make a difference and that your voice matters. When he was a legislator and received calls from neighbors they were the first calls he would return. The legislators need you to get reelected and, with the state elections approaching in November, it’s the perfect time for you to share with them your concerns for this state. Many in the room didn’t raise their hand when asked if they could name their State Representative or State Senator, and Mr. Cafero argued that what the legislators do in Hartford impacts your life, business and the economy much more than anything that happens in Washington, DC. Allow us to help you make those connections. If you are interested in setting up a meeting or coffee with your legislator, our office is happy to facilitate individual meetings or regional roundtables. We hope you will also sign up for Industry Day at the Capitol on April 3 so the lawmakers in Hartford see that the HBRA is a group of concerned businessmen and women paying attention to the state of affairs in Connecticut. Brian Flaherty from the Connecticut Business in Industry Association reported that Connecticut gained 3,300 jobs in 2017 which is good news, but, it only represents 0.3% growth. We were beaten out by every other state in New England. As of Dec 2017, Connecticut finally regained in the private sector all that we lost during the recession, so we appear to be moving in the right direction but Massachusetts is at 300% and the nation is at about 150%. Connecticut has a lot of work to do and they need to hear from members of our association about what their laws and regulations are doing to our industry. We are on the front lines of economic growth in this state. As Mr. Flaherty said there’s nothing more powerful at the State Capitol than a handshake, a look in the eye and a story well and truthfully told. Best, Jackie MARCH 2018 | HBRA of Fairfield County 7
8 Publizr Home