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.

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 priority topics along with all the suggestions on improvements; fixes to current laws, and ideas for new laws to the capitol to turn into a bill and find sponsors from the many legislators in office that are supported and endorsed by ABC.

This year’s convention had some exciting guests who took time to hear about the issues the construction industry in Florida is facing and talk with members. Milton Graugnard with Cajun Industries and the 2023 ABC National Board Chair kicked off the planning session with complimentary remarks about how his home state of Louisiana is looking to emulate Florida and what we have done for the construction industry through politics. With other states looking to Florida though, he went on to explain that this means they are going to need Florida’s help in the next election to win the presidency and that when he comes to everyone for National PAC donations, it is to help the construction community outside of Florida. In closing, Graugnard warned “the extinction of freedom is only one generation away,” paraphrasing Ronald Reagan’s quote, as a reminder of how we must fight to protect the merit shop way.

After Robert Stuart and Chris Dawson from Gray|Robinson, P.A. gave an update on the 2023 legislative session, as well as reviewing priorities of both Speaker of the House Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, the group split up into groups to discuss the topics that came out on top in the member survey that allowed everyone to voice their legislative concerns.

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.

The biggest highlight of the planning conference came when Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner not only spoke to members but spent over an hour going from topic to topic to see exactly what issues concern the commercial construction industry while hearing directly from members as they explained to the Speaker solutions he could possibly support in the next session. This was a huge opportunity arranged by the lobbying team, including chief lobbyist, Carol Bowen, especially on the apprenticeship front.

The topics agreed upon and their suggested solutions and proposed ideas will be turned into the 2024 ABC of Florida Legislative Priorities. This is “The Voice of Commercial Construction.” Every member who wants to be a part of this annual convention and planning session is welcome to participate each year. To have their voice heard, to be a part of moving forward in making and keeping Florida a place for merit shop construction. This is part of ABC’s commitment to members, helping them develop people, win work and perform that work safely, ethically, and for the betterment of the communities in which we live and work.

Next, ABC of Florida will go to Tallahassee for its annual Day at the Capitol where members from throughout the state desend upon the capitol to discuss real-life impacts of government regulations on construction and to garner support for the year’s priorities and the bills that support them. It’s never too late to get involved in ABC advocacy. Join a committee. Go to Tallahassee. Voice your opinion at the State Convention. Make a difference.