Engineering Inc. - March/April 2014 - (Page 37)
By Stacy Collett
Power of the
PAC
33 states meet or exceed 2013 acEc/pac fundraising
goals as capitol hill woes drive increasing support
I
n Washington, professional organizations
have to toot their own horns loudly to
be heard. There are more than 5,000
associations represented in the District of
Columbia, all wrangling for an audience
with key decision makers. "The best
way to make your voice heard among all
the competing interests is to have a large and
successful political action committee," explains
Illinois ACEC/PAC Co-chair John Carrato.
"That's just the way it is."
In 2013, ACEC Member Firms rose
to the challenge. The Council's political
action committee (ACEC/PAC) grew at
an unprecedented clip, raising an all-time
record amount of $770,000 in personal
donations.
In 2013, 33 states met or exceeded their
fundraising targets. And Phil Beer, ACEC/
PAC chairman and vice president at USI
Consultants, Inc., in Indianapolis, has his
sights set even higher. "We want to get to
the point where we're bringing in $1 million a year for the PAC. That's the target
set by ACEC's Strategic Plan," Beer says.
ACEC/PAC also enjoyed a very successful year in hosting and co-hosting fundraisers for key members of Congress in
Washington, D.C., and throughout the
nation.
So, what's motivating members to contribute? The 2014 congressional midterm
elections in November will be critical-
as always-for the industry's legislative
agenda. A number of pro-business candidates will face tough contests in many
states, with some congressional prima-
ries already being held. "We must support those candidates who are friendly to
ACEC and ACEC member businesses,"
Beer says.
Also on the national scale, energy issues,
the water bill and the need for long-term
transportation funding have also spurred
donations. "Congress has to start serious
discussions about funding transportation
and hopefully create a more long-term
vision on all three," Beer says.
At the state level, the negative influence of unions, slumping economies and
prevalent professional liability issues have
firms and individuals active and ready to
contribute.
ACEC/PAC champions in several states
have successfully convinced membership
of the value proposition of PACs in general and ACEC/PAC specifically. Here are
some of the secrets to their fundraising
success.
It's About Message Control
Delaware-based Member Firms saw firsthand the importance of political engagement when ACEC leaders caught wind of
an attempt by trial attorneys to increase
the liability limit on consulting or professional engineers from six years to 12 years.
March / april 2014
ENGiNEEriNG iNc.
37
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - March/April 2014
Engineering Inc. - March/April 2014
Contents
From ACEC to You
Legislative Action
Market Watch
U.s. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx
States of Repair
Centers of Comings and Goings
All Access
Into Africa
Power of the PAC
2014 Annual Convention Preview
Business Insights
Guest Column
Members in the News
Mergers and Acquisitions
Engineering Inc. - March/April 2014
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