ADVOCATE
ABC OF FLORIDA STATE CONVENTION Shaping the Future of Commercial Construction: ABC of Florida's Strategic Legislative Endeavors JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND | JULY 13-15, 2023
As “The Voice of Commercial Construction” representing more than 2,500 members in Florida, ABC of Florida takes their role seriously with legislative and political efforts to support and advance free enterprise and merit shop philosophies. Members from all five Florida chapters meet annually in the summer for the ABC of Florida State Convention and Legislative Planning Conference to set the legislative priorities for the upcoming year.
Topics included; owner-direct purchase reform, public construction bonds, building department/public owner reform, and apprenticeship/workforce education reform. Looking around the room once it was split into groups, it was remarkably clear what issue was at the forefront of everyone’s mind – Apprenticeship Reform. Representative Lauren Melow, from District 82 in nearby Naples, stopped in and joined the group discussing apprenticeships due to her extensive support of education programs and her appointment to multiple education committees.
In addition to the members in attendance, the ABC of Florida lobbying team was there to help run the planning session where once the priorities were decided, the team would take these The biggest highlight of the planning conference came when Florida priority topics along with all the suggestions on improvements; Speaker of the House Paul Renner not only spoke to members fixes to current laws, and ideas for new laws to the capitol to turn but spent over an hour going from topic to topic to see exactly into a bill and find sponsors from the many legislators in office that what issues concern the commercial construction industry while are supported and endorsed by ABC. hearing directly from members as they explained to the Speaker solutions he could possibly support in the next session. This was This year’s convention had some exciting guests who took time to a huge opportunity arranged by the lobbying team, including chief hear about the issues the construction industry in Florida is facing lobbyist, Carol Bowen, especially on the apprenticeship front. and talk with members. Milton Graugnard with Cajun Industries and the 2023 ABC National Board Chair kicked off the planning The topics agreed upon and their suggested solutions and session with complimentary remarks about how his home state proposed ideas will be turned into the 2024 ABC of Florida of Louisiana is looking to emulate Florida and what we have Legislative Priorities. This is “The Voice of Commercial done for the construction industry through politics. With other Construction.” Every member who wants to be a part of this states looking to Florida though, he went on to explain that this annual convention and planning session is welcome to participate means they are going to need Florida’s help in the next election each year. To have their voice heard, to be a part of moving to win the presidency and that when he comes to everyone for forward in making and keeping Florida a place for merit shop National PAC donations, it is to help the construction community construction. This is part of ABC’s commitment to members, outside of Florida. In closing, Graugnard warned “the extinction helping them develop people, win work and perform that work of freedom is only one generation away,” paraphrasing Ronald safely, ethically, and for the betterment of the communities in Reagan’s quote, as a reminder of how we must fight to protect the which we live and work. merit shop way. Next, ABC of Florida will go to Tallahassee for its annual Day at After Robert Stuart and Chris Dawson from Gray|Robinson, P.A. the Capitol where members from throughout the state desend gave an update on the 2023 legislative session, as well as reviewing upon the capitol to discuss real-life impacts of government priorities of both Speaker of the House Paul Renner and Senate regulations on construction and to garner support for the year’s President Kathleen Passidomo, the group split up into groups to priorities and the bills that support them. It’s never too late to get discuss the topics that came out on top in the member survey that involved in ABC advocacy. Join a committee. Go to Tallahassee. allowed everyone to voice their legislative concerns. Voice your opinion at the State Convention. Make a difference.
Save the Date!
ABC of Florida LegCon in Tallahassee – January 17-18, 2024 Plan Ahead for the 2024
ABC of Florida State Convention! – July 18-20, 2024 More details coming soon.
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BUILDING Central Florida 2023 - OCTOBER
