MBI-PAC

MBI-PAC – Supporting Pro-Business, Pro-Construction Candidates

The MBI-PAC is a tool that helps in every facet of our public affairs efforts. The MBI-PAC exists solely to provide support to candidates who reflect the ideas and values of the Master Builders of Iowa. The MBI-PAC helps to foster relationships in working with candidates who will support our efforts. When the MBI-PAC contributes to a candidate, a mutual respect is developed which allows for a good working relationship in the policy-making process. The same hold true for all levels of government – federal, state, county and local.

MBI-PAC Fundraising Efforts – Offering Members a Variety of Ways to Get Involved

During the 2009 calendar year, the MBI-PAC raised over $100,000 from industry-leaders. Achieving such tremendous results is evidence that MBI members understand the importance of investing in their industry. To complement the membership’s understanding of the relationship between money and politics, the MBI-PAC takes an approach of providing variety, convenience and value for perspective contributors. In 2009, the MBI-PAC utilized a number of fundraising opportunities which included the “Smoker”; post-legislative session mail solicitation; an on-going 3-year pledge campaign; the Billy Joel Concert Package; Operation Hard Hat; and the inaugural “Freezer Classic” (this event was put together by the 2007 MB “Eye” on the Future class).

Besides the ongoing multi-year pledge program and miscellaneous solicitations that will be presented throughout the year, there are a number of steadfast fundraisers upon which the MBI-PAC relies. Here are the scheduled fundraising efforts we have in store for 2010:

- August 10, 2010 – "Building a Better Iowa" Event for Governor Terry Branstad

- August 23, 2010 – 11^th Annual Construction Golf Classic and Smoker

As the year progresses, there will be additional opportunities to participate in the fundraising efforts of the MBI-PAC. However, if you are interested in making a contribution now, please download an MBI-PAC pledge form and send it in. Please remember, Iowa law requires all contributions to the MBI-PAC must be made with personal funds. Corporate checks will not accepted.

Operation Hard Hat – Local Leaders Step Up to Help the MBI-PAC

First utilized in 2007, Operation Hard Hat is a member-led fundraising campaign in which the state is divided up into regions and volunteer-leaders coordinate fundraising efforts within each of their respective regions. Over the last three years, Operation Hard Hat has raised nearly $42,000 for the MBI-PAC.

The 2010 campaign is underway with a goal raising $25,000 for this year’s crucial legislative elections. Operation Hard Hat will help the MBI-PAC identify and support pro-business, pro-construction candidates that will help our industry move forth in promoting an agenda that encourages economic growth and job creation, while combating against trial lawyers, organized labor and environmentalists.

The 2010 Operation Hard Hat “captains” are as follow:

Ames – Bill Woodruff, Woodruff Construction
Cedar Rapids – Scott Friauf, Merit Construction and Gordon Parker, Rinderknecht and Associates
Des Moines – Mark Keairnes, LMC
Dubuque – Ben Roush and Michael Hunt, Conlon Construction Co.
Iowa City – Darin Knapp, Knutson Construction Services
Sioux City – John Baker, C.W. Suter and Son
Waterloo – Darrin Gillett, Cardinal Construction

When you get a call from one of these individuals, please consider providing a contribution or help raise some funds on their behalf. As an industry, we must stand up for ourselves and provide support to those candidates who share our views and philosophies of pro-construction, pro-growth.