WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE

TO BUILD-PAC?

(and other good questions)

Like it or not, what the government does and doesn't do has a direct and fundamental impact on your business.  Whether you are a builder or associate member, you should be aware that your industry is under assault.  "No growth" groups and radical consumer advocates have advanced proposals which--had they been enacted--would have made it harder, if not impossible, for you to make a living.  The governmental affairs staffs of both your national and state association, with your help, have been able to derail many of these bad ideas.  All of these decisions were made by elected officials or those appointed by them.  More of these "bad ideas" are coming!  Fortunately both in the U. S. Congress and in our North Carolina General Assembly, our industry has many friends.  These friends have stood tall for us--for you and your business--on many occasions. By participating in BUILD-PAC, we can work together to support lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, whose decisions reflect an understanding of our business interests and concerns.

  This information sheet is designed to answer this and other questions commonly asked about BUILD-PAC.  For more information call 1-800-662-7129 and ask for Paul Wilms, Alastair Macaulay, Lisa Martin, or Robert Privott.

WHAT IS BUILD-PAC?

It is really two (2) separate political action committees (PACs) administered separately by your national and state associations.  The NAHB BUILD-PAC is for federal candidates and the NCHBA BUILD-PAC is for state and local candidates. You may contribute to either or both the state and/or federal BUILD-PAC.  Contributions to N. C. BUILD-PAC should be sent to NCHBA in Raleigh and contributions to NAHB BUILD-PAC should be sent to NAHB in Washington.

WHY ARE THERE TWO BUILD-PACS?

     Both state and federal law require separate PACs.  The NCHBA BUILD-PAC contributes to candidates for statewide races (e.g., Governor, et.al.), races for the General Assembly (i.e., House and Senate), and local races.  The NAHB BUILD-PAC contributes to candidates for federal races (e.g., President, U. S. Senate, U. S. House).  You must contribute to each separately from your personal funds.

WHY CAN'T BUILD-PAC USE MY DUES MONEY OR ACCEPT A CONTRIBUTION FROM MY BUSINESS?

     Both federal and state laws prohibit use of members' association dues, or funds from their business account, to elect candidates.  Therefore, all PACs must legally rely on personal contributions from their members' personal funds.

WHO RUNS BUILD-PAC?

     You do!  Each local HBA has a BUILD-PAC chairperson who sits as a trustee on the state PAC.  All contributions to candidates for statewide office or for the General Assembly are determined by those trustees.  The NAHB BUILD-PAC has two (2) trustees elected by NCHBA who determine whether or not and to whom contributions are made to federal candidates.  In North Carolina no federal candidate--whether for U. S. House or U. S. Senate--receives a single penny without our approval.  For candidates for local office, you-through your local HBA procedures-decide who to support.

DOES BUILD-PAC FAVOR DEMOCRATS

OR REPUBLICANS?

     Neither!  BUILD-PAC is completely independent and bipartisan.  Candidates are judged strictly on their own merits.  We support viable pro-housing candidates regardless of their political party registration.

HOW IS MY PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION DIVIDED BETWEEN THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS?

     Thirty percent (30%) of every dollar contributed is earmarked for use by your local HBA as it sees fit in local races.  Most choose to utilize these funds to contribute to candidates for county commissioner and/or city council.  The remaining seventy percent (70%) is utilized by your state PAC to contribute to candidates for the General Assembly, statewide offices, and other non-federal races.

WHO SELECTS WHICH CANDIDATES

TO SUPPORT?

     BUILD-PAC trustees review the candidate's records and their support for housing issues.  Opinions of your governmental affairs staff who work every day in the legislative arenas are considered.  During the 2003-2004 election cycle, NCHBA BUILD-PAC contributed nearly $300,000 to more than one hundred seventy-five (175) candidates for either the General Assembly or statewide office and the two major political parties.  While this figure is impressive, keep in mind that groups opposed to many of our initiatives (e.g., trial lawyers) contributed much more.  In the same cycle, NAHB BUILD-PAC contributed over $80,000 to candidates for federal office in North Carolina.

I DON'T LIKE POLITICS...WHY SHOULD I CARE?

     If you don't care, no one else will!!  You don't have to like politics to understand that too many important issues are being decided by elected officials which will determine whether you are still building (or doing business with builders)  five years from now!  Issues like impact fees, building codes, water-supply watershed density controls, wetlands, land use planning, tax changes, lien laws, consumer reforms, new taxes, interest rates, and many others will determine your future in the industry.  By pooling your contribution with those from other members, BUILD-PAC is able to help elect pro-housing candidates to the Congress, the statehouse, and the courthouse!