Playing politics

By Jeremy Harrell

Contractors like to say their work speaks for itself, but when it comes to public policy, they're the ones who need to do the talking.

"It's a relatively new concept for people in the construction industry," Bill Derrick Jr., president of Derrick Co. Inc., of New Richmond, said. "We realized if we're going to be in business, we have to be active in politics. I believe strongly in the cause, and when you believe and become passionate, it's easy to get other people on board."

A contractor can make the easiest, and most common, foray into politics by joining an association. Linking up with a group of like-minded business owners can thrust contractors into the middle of legislative events, John Mielke, Associated Builders and Contractors government relations director, said.

"With such a huge diversity of interests out there, it's helpful to have a group presenting a message that everyone can get behind," he said. "We try to provide a format for members that makes it easy for them to get involved."

Associations track legislative events and issues, sending out alerts to keep members posted. With continuous updates, members are better equipped to make reasoned political decisions, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association Executive Director Tom Walker said.

"To be effective, members have to be politically active all the time," he said. "There is a continuous series of political issues that will always be there."

Find your voice

Breaking out of the anonymity of an association, however, often proves a much more successful way to work with politicians, Walker said. And developing a close relationship with a legislator boils down to more than an occasional phone call or an appearance at a fundraiser.

"There's no substitute for actual face-name recognition so you don't have to spend time introducing yourself," Walker said. "We encourage members to talk about the whole spectrum of political issues, not just those they're immediately concerned about."

And then there's the issue of campaign contributions. Derrick said that when he became president of ABC in 1998, one of his missions - one that he achieved - was to raise a record amount of money for ABC's political action committee.

"You should help elect people who you think are going to support what you believe in," he said.

More than money

Mark Reihl, Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters executive director, said campaign contributions influence public policy as long as they are a legal part of the system. But cutting a check, he said, is no substitute for personal action.

"If it were only money that determined the outcome, we'd be out of the picture," Reihl said. "Labor's strength has always been its active membership. Legislators know union members will get out the vote." If, after the letters, phone calls and checks, a contractor still doesn't feel he is making enough of a dent, he can always take matters into his own hands, Reihl said.

"You can run for office and put yourself in the position of influencing things first-hand," he said.

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