Inside AGC AGC Perspective
January/February 2008

Making a Difference: AGC PAC Advancing the Industry

AGC PAC adapts to make a difference in a changing D.C.

AGC Iowa PAC State Chair Milt Dakovich, Aspro Inc., presents an AGC PAC check to Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) to recognize his support of infrastructure funding.

In the last 12 months, Washington, D.C., has undergone a series of dramatic changes. From the shifting party control in the House to the early start of the 2008 presidential campaign, Capitol Hill presents new challenges to organizations like AGC that advocate for legislation to better equip members and their businesses. 

AGC PAC has successfully adapted to the latest political atmosphere and is working to build relationships with new decision makers while staying loyal to long-time industry allies. For the 2008 cycle to date, AGC PAC has made contributions to 13 committee chairs/ranking members and 30 subcommittee chairs/ranking members. In response to the party change, AGC PAC is focusing support on those who champion our issues, and consequently, PAC donations to Democrats have increased from 12% in 2006 to 26% at the end of 2007.

AGC PAC aims to advance the legislative priorities of the construction industry by helping elect candidates most likely to support those priorities. More so than in previous cycles, the construction industry has an opportunity to be proactive on issues, including highway funding, immigration reform and repeal of the 3% withholding tax. Consequently, AGC PAC is working to continuously adapt and consistently weigh political loyalties based on issues and not on political parties.

While much of the nation’s attention is focused on the presidential race, the entire House of Representatives and a third of the Senate also are up for election in 2008. Therefore, the coming months will be an opportunity for AGC PAC to support those candidates who understand the needs of the construction industry.

Nov. 4, 2008, will give the more than seven million construction industry employees a chance to hold the nation’s leaders accountable and advance the construction industry’s policy agenda. To learn more about AGC’s policy agenda and AGC PAC, contact Elisa Brewer at 202-547-5013 or brewere@agc.org.

Get Out and Vote posters are available for chapters and members. Call (202) 547-0133 to receive your free poster.

Get Out and Vote in ’08

The 2008 election season is in full swing, with presidential primary races leading off 2008, followed by the presidential general election and races in both the House and Senate. There is a lot at stake in the 2008 elections and an energized construction industry has the potential to make a difference. 

The outcomes of the 2008 elections will impact the construction industry and AGC PAC is focused on making this an issues-based election cycle. Early voting is one way to ensure that the industry is heard. It is already under way in some states and it is a way to encourage employees to vote. The rules and regulations vary from state to state, but all states offer some type of alternative. For details about early voting in your state, visit www.agc.org/vote.

AGC also offers members a Political Toolkit at www.agc.org/vote, a reliable resource for all your election needs, including voter registration information, election calendars and important legislative information.