In June some of our members were in Raleigh and DC meeting with our government representatives. The North Carolina Home Builders Association held their Legislative Reception on June 7th for members to network with North Carolina Congress members and advocate for our state’s home building industry. Representing our area was Thomas McClain (former President), Brandon Bryant (former President and current NCHBA VP), Brian Sineath (President), Megan Carroll (Executive Officer), Amanda Bryant, and Judy Dinelle. They also met with NCHBA Government affairs staff to be informed of how the issues that are important to WNC builders are being handled on a state level. A few of the laws and issues being focused on were septic systems, energy requirements, and tax law.
The next day June 8th, local HBAs from all around NC met with their particular representatives. Since the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains covers such a wide area our leadership had to meet with quite a few folks. They were able to meet with NC House Representatives Brian Turner (Buncombe), Jake Johnson (Henderson, Polk, Transylvania), Jon Ager (Buncombe), Caleb Rudow (Buncombe), Mark Pless (Haywood, Madison, Yancey), and senator Julie Mayfield (Buncombe) on the issues that our builders have expressed concern over.
On June 15th Thomas, Brandon, Megan, and Judy were joined by Sean Sullivan (former President) in Washington D.C. to join others from the National Association of Home Builders in spotlighting builders’ issues. They were able to meet with North Carolina Congress members on the Hill Senator Richard Burr, and House Representatives: Ted Budd, and Patrick McHenry.
Issues they discussed were around lumber (encouraging the White House to eliminate Canadian tariffs) , labor shortages, immigration reform (work together to help our labor shortage), gas prices, and supply chain. Thomas McClain said the overall feeling is that we are going to be in a tough market for a bit but the outlook for housing still remains strong for the foreseeable future.
This is one of the reasons membership is so valuable. Because our NCHBA and National organizations are always championing builders issues. Both levels of government can have affect on the costs of builds, and the demand side of things. We know there are many lobbying groups with good intentions, but the side effects can affect the building industry in negative ways, so it’s important to have a voice at the table.
“It’s encouraging to see the strength of our State and National lobbying teams,” said Thomas McClain, “its a comfort knowing that they are fighting for us 365 days a year.”
