Effective Government Advocacy-- Your Voice at the Legislature
by Alex Hyatt
National Sales Manager
The Electrical Association is the only organization that specifically represents all electrical contractors in Minnesota. Whether your business is located in a rural town or metro area, is small or large in size, the Electrical Association advocates on your behalf at the Capitol. As a member, you have a unique opportunity to ensure that the voice of Minnesota electrical contractors is heard on legislative or regulatory issues that impact your business and electrical industry.
Every year, your dues dollars provide you with Effective Government Advocacy in the following ways:
The Electrical Association is well respected at the state level, ensuring that when we have an opinion to share, key decision-makers will listen.
We are the unified voice of Minnesota electrical contractors and are often sought out to weigh in on topics that impact our membership.
We are a watchdog for Minnesota electrical contractors—monitoring and lobbying legislative initiatives on their behalf.
As an Electrical Association member, you receive regular updates during the session!
This year’s initiatives include…
Prompt payment – requiring contracting authorities and generals to pay subcontractor after punch-list items are complete.
Duty to Defend – prohibiting general contractors from requiring the subcontractors to pay the general’s attorney fees via contract when the general contractor is at fault.
Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) – making certain energy efficiency rebates remain available statewide and also supporting the movement to strategic electrification.
Helmets to Hardhats – bringing veterans to the trades. If you join the Electrical Association’s registered apprenticeship program, you can tap into this talent pool.
None of this would be possible without our unified voice of Minnesota electrical contractors and the help of our skilled lobbying team of Bill Strusinski, Kirsten Christopherson and Michelle Dreier.
We welcome and encourage members to get involved in our advocacy efforts by joining a task force, engaging in a grassroots initiative, standing with us at the Capitol, or by making a contribution to our PAC Fund. Call Clara at 612-827-6117 if you would like to contribute to the PAC.
If you are not a member of the Electrical Association, please consider joining now to ensure that your voice is heard regarding issues that may be impacting your business. Please call our office to get involved (612-827-6117).