In The Mix                                                December 2011- Vol 3, Issue 9

FICAP PAC                                                                         by Wade Mullins 

We certainly have a lot of information to share with you this month. First, let me say I am extremely proud of so many FICAP members, Bob Thomas, Chuck Parliment, Gary Clements, Scott Baker, and Mark Carroll who were able to join your Executive Director, Michele Stropoli, and myself in Tallahassee and support for our industry during Concrete Days in the state capital. Thank you so much for going beyond the call of duty.

Even though I took a few months off from penning a regular "In The Mix" column on the various political happenings around the state, does not mean things have been quiet with state government. As you know, the FICAP PAC has been doing what it can to assist the Masonry Association of Florida with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 412 by Bennett and House Bill (HB) 403 by Caldwell. Several FICAP members have been meeting with state legislators In their district offices this fall, as we try and convince our lawmakers to help us with this endeavor.

Over and over we have heard the following, "why do we as an industry need to come to the legislature for assistance when we should be able to collectively decide on our own to assess ourselves," and thus be able to promote, conduct research and educate others about concrete masonry? When we have explained to the legislators that we are merely trying to comply with anti-trust laws, the vast majority of our elected officials have understood.

SB 412 received its first committee hearing on Monday December 5 in Senate Community Affairs. There was some good discussion and suggestions made by the committee members. SB 412 passed unanimously out of this committee, and into the Government Oversight & Accountability Committee, which is chaired by Senator Jeremy Ring.

HB 403 by Caldwell was scheduled to be heard in November during the Concrete Coalition days. However, one of the House Members, who happens to be in a position of leadership, pulled it from Consumer & Business Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Doug Holder's agenda. MAF Lobbyist David Ramba is working very hard to get the bill moving forward, as are others. If you live in or know someone who lives in House District 28, please contact me so I can give you the details on how you can help us move HB 403 by Caldwell forward.

Another item, which should really get your attention, is what the wood industry and in particular, the Florida Building Materials Association, just announced. They are going to push for a building code change in Florida that would allow wood construction in Florida schools. Since their newsletter is copyrighted,click here and read what they intend to do. This is very scary.

If that does not get your attention, and cause each and every one of our members to financially support the efforts of the FICAP PAC (as little as $100 per year), then a stronger organization with much deeper pockets may just run us over and take away what business we have left.

Just last spring during the 2011 legislative Session, the wood industries advocate in Tallahassee tried to get a bill amended, which would have allowed wood construction to be used in our schools. You seriously don't believe rational thinking prevailed on that legislator and caused him to consider the impact this would have had on the concrete masonry industry, do you? No, that legislator was just going to help someone or some organization that asked for that legislator's assistance, until someone else spoke out on behalf of our industry. That someone just happened to be David Ramba, who just days before had been hired to represent the Masonry Association of Florida. The amendment was never filed.

FICAP formed our PAC in 2005. Even I underestimated how important our political involvement would become. I am still thankful that then FICAP President, Jimmy Keys, made a push for FICAP to take that political plunge, and form our PAC.

Many of you have told me your company doesn't get involved with PACS, or they already participate with other trade organizations in their political efforts. You should still be a member of the FICAP PAC, even if that is on an individual basis. Your bang for the buck could not be better spent. If you would like more information, please give me a call.

Wade Mullins

2011-2012 FICAP PAC Chair

Here Come's A New Year...                                                                         Director's Corner

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