Inside AGC CEO’s Messages

September/October 2009

Healthy PAC, Strong Industry

AGC PAC funds go to a diverse group of leaders

By Steve Sandherr

Some of the hardest working people at this year’s annual convention in San Diego were the team of volunteers that staffed the booth for AGC’s Political Action Committee, the AGC PAC. It didn’t matter if it was early morning, mid-afternoon or late into the evening’s agenda. There they were, cheerfully signing up new contributors, running fun games, giving directions to the next meeting and handing out little gifts. Some of you may even have indulged in the small chocolates they were handing out. (As for me, well, I plead the Fifth!)

Of course, the folks who volunteered their time at that booth happen to be among our most outgoing members. There’s no doubt they would have spent just as much time interacting with as many people as possible had they not been at the PAC booth. But they understand how vital a robust and fully funded PAC is to our members.

They know our industry faces unprecedented legislative challenges. They’ve seen the legislation and heard the speeches from a growing number of lawmakers and administration officials calling for changes that will hurt businesses, stifle growth and severely restrict our ability to compete and succeed in the global economy of tomorrow. So they decided the best way to avoid such an outcome was to support our PAC, and they did it with grace and glitz.

Thanks in part to their efforts, our political action committee has been very active this year. It’s already contributed to 61 key members of Congress —including John Shadegg of Arizona and Barbara Boxer of California—or challengers who have long understood the role a strong construction industry plays in supporting a healthy economy. To date, AGC PAC has delivered more than $145,000 in funds to support construction-friendly candidates.

As the law requires, 100% of the funds donated by the PAC will be used to help these members, plus 19 candidates, win election to a new term of office. Considering the cost of most modern-day campaigns, the individual contributions are relatively small. But they go a long way to support officials who have shown a strong commitment to our industry and the benefits our members bring to their communities.

While the stereotype is that you have to be conservative to support construction, the truth is our industry’s supporters include Democrats and Republicans. As the list makes clear, PAC recipients come from rural and urban districts. Some are considered liberal and others are as conservative as they come. The one thing they have in common, though, is a strong appreciation for our industry and its ability to generate local jobs and economic growth.