The TABA Government Affairs Committee meets regularly for dialogues with local officials. In fact, at least once a month we sit down with folks like city managers, council members, city staff, or county and state officials. These meetings serve many purposes. They allow us to gain a better understanding of development related issues, build relationships with area leaders, and further our mission "to promote and enhance home ownership."
Recently, our leadership group has decided we should use these meetings to tell the TABA story. That is, the folks that we meet with should leave these meetings knowing a little bit more about TABA than they did before sitting down with us. This is an opportunity I've decided to embrace. In doing so, I've prepared a presentation that can be tweaked to enlighten an audience about TABA accomplishments, industry challenges, and industry trends. That said, I don't just want local dignitaries to know about TABA and our involvement with the government, I want our members to be aware as well.
More often than not, our accomplishments are linked to the successes of our local governments. When our cities grow, look better, offer more amenities--TABA is successful. It is all these things that generate business for our members. A growing community means people are working in the construction industry and other related fields that support this industry. This is what TABA strives for.
That said, our challenges are oftentimes a result of our growth. Our governmental entities must look for ways not only to stimulate growth, but to manage it as well. The government is burdened with looking out for the entire community. They face challenges that we don't see until we run smack dab into them. Examples include sink holes, fires, traffic, wrecks, broken sewer lines, water deficits, etc. These challenges are items we count on our government to handle swiftly and efficiently.
The government also must deal with other issues that are often brought to them by community groups. Most never realize the regulatory changes that these issues often lead to until it hits them in the pocket book. This is not due to the government (at least the local government) being sneaky. In fact, most times, they do everything they can to involve the community when it comes to creating or changing ordinances. However, due to time constraints, most don't have time to get involved.
That is what TABA is here for--these are the challenges that we embrace. TABA is here to be your advocate and to get involved when the government wants to have a say in sidewalk widths, roof pitches, types of materials you put on your buildings, how much landscaping you should do, etc. All of the decisions that the government makes in regard to these issues can affect your customers ability to afford a home (or other type of building) and your ability to do a project.
The regulations the government puts in place affect you. At a minimum, you should be aware of what is going on and convey your thoughts back to us so we can represent you when you need us. The wheels of government may not always turn quickly, but they don't stop turning. As long as TABA is here, you will always have a support system to represent your interests.
