Advocacy
The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association & Local Government Affairs
Politics is local! Every day there are regulatory decisions made by local governments which directly impact your ability to conduct business in your local jurisdiction. SAHBA staff works diligently to keep you informed of the issues impacting your business and represent your interests by engaging in the public policy process. In addition, we strive to maintain open and effective lines of communication by regularly meeting with elected and appointed officials as well as key staff.
Contribute to SAHBA-PAC
An effective advocacy program begins with supporting and electing pro-business, pro-housing officials who understand the importance of housing in our local communities. The SAHBA-PAC represents member interests by providing direct support to candidates who share our mission of promoting prosperity throughout the region by creating an environment that nurtures housing opportunity. Staff builds relationshps with state and local government officials, regularly monitors local legislation, attends public hearings and keep members informed of relevant local issues.
SAHBA-PAC Contribution Form
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the SAHBA PAC
Although an individual may personally support or oppose candidates with few restrictions other than limits on contribution amounts, state and federal laws prohibit individuals from collectively working together to support or oppose candidates without forming a political action committee.
A PAC is simply a group of citizens sharing a common interest that have joined together to elect candidates who espouse their views. Many businesses and business associations have PACs. The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, chambers of commerce, realtors and the National Association of Home Builders are all good examples of business associations with PACs. Most unions such as teachers, police and firefighters have PACs. Most activist/social issue groups also have PACs, including the NRA, AARP, environmental organizations, etc. In other words, at some point in our lives, the majority of Americans have either have been or will be represented in the political process by a PAC. It is the only legal way that people can work together, collectively, to provide funding to candidates. Contrary to what we are constantly told by a few outspoken anti-PAC groups who insist on referring to PACs as “special interests,” PACs really do represent most segments of society.
SAHBA PAC has been formed to support candidates who understand the benefits of new home construction and remodeling, and will work to promote legislation that benefits home builders and other industries involved in the construction of homes. SAHBA PAC is non-partisan; any candidate who befriends our industry is eligible for support. The PAC also works to support or oppose legislation and/or initiatives or referendums that will have a positive or negative impact on home building.
The benefits of new home construction don’t stop with those of us who actually work for home builders. It takes people from all walks of life to put together a house. Just stop and think for a moment how many of us work for companies that make products used in new home construction? To build a home you need electricity, light fixtures, heating and cooling systems, pipes and ductwork, plumbing, water and sewer, carpet, tile, concrete, lumber, roof tiles, stucco, plants, sinks and faucets, drywall, doors and windows, cabinets, appliances, smoke detectors…the list is virtually endless when it comes to the many products needed to make a new home complete and comfortable. Home building also requires the services of many professionals and trades including architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, framing contractors, pool builders, lighting designers, carpenters, plumbers, pipe fitters, electricians, painting contractors, graphic artists, attorneys, etc… And getting buyers into their new homes requires the services of realtors, bankers, mortgage lenders, credit researchers, title companies and movers. And, once people have moved into their new home they need window coverings, furniture, linens, kitchen and bath supplies, lawn and garden tools, and much, much more. In other words, it would pretty hard to find a household that doesn’t have at least one member who directly benefits from new home construction.
Finally, think about the industries that indirectly benefit from new home construction. With new home developments come stores and shopping malls, restaurants, gas stations, golf courses, banks…well, you get the point! Everyone benefits from new home construction.
