- To protect your company’s ability to succeed.
- To make certain that state environmental regulations are no more restrictive than the federal regulations.
- To prevent more paperwork for compliance with regulations.
- To prevent laws from passing that are harmful to your company.
- To prevent taxes and fees that are unfair to your industry and could ultimately put you out of business.
- To promote trade that is not only free but fair and that takes into consideration non-tariff barriers.
- To promote workman’s compensation policies that are fair.
- To secure affordable avenues of distribution of your product ,(state docks, road and bridges, river systems).
- To protect the competitive bid law on public works projects.
- To make certain state leaders know who you are.
Why lobbying is important:
In Alabama, all of the decisions are made at the state level. There is very limited home rule. With this in mind, the importance of working with the legislature and decision makers in Montgomery becomes very apparent. Your company has a vested interest in the politics of Alabama. You want to be certain that you are able to continue doing business in Alabama.
Issues we watch:
- Healthcare
- Employee and Workman’s Compensation costs and issues
- Suppliers costs
- Tax legislation (including fees)
- Education: employee availability and an educated workforce
- Environmental
- Protection of competitive bid laws
- Business development, any law that would impact business recruitment, retention or expansion
- Security
- Broadband and Infrastructure
- Construction
- Children’s Issues
- Elevators
Why Public Affairs is important to you:
- Public Affairs is a term used to describe a relationship with stakeholders. Stakeholders are individuals or groups with an interest in an organization/company’s affairs, such as civil servants, customers and local communities, clients, shareholders, trade associations, think tanks, business groups, charities, unions and the media.
- Lobbying is an important component of Public Affairs. Lobbying is the process of educating public and government policy decision makers at all levels: federal, state and local.
- Lobbing involves the advocacy of an interest that is affected, actually or potentially, by the decisions of government leaders. The practice of lobbying is considered so essential that it is specifically protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make no law…abridging…the right of the people peaceably…to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Why associations may not be enough:
- There are associations in Alabama that could monitor some of your needs but they are not always on Your Team.
- Associations represent many companies and often their membership is divided on critical political issues.
- To make certain that your position is represented in the Alabama legislature you need a representative who speaks for You!
- To protect your company you need a representative who will take care of your company and your interests.