The Government Affairs Department of ABC of Metro Washington represents members interests at the local, state and national levels on issues impacting the building and construction industries.
Being an advocate for the industry is critical in helping to shape the economic climate in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and in the State of Maryland.
Visit the Government Affairs section of the ABC National web site.
Through its Maryland and District of Columbia Legislative Committees, ABC works to identify issues that affect members and establish policy. ABC reviews pending legislation from Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, the District of Columbia, and the State of Maryland.
A Joint Legislative Committee, representing the interests of four Maryland Chapters, meets to evaluate legislative initiatives, take positions on these proposals, and communicates the position of the industry to the appropriate legislative body.
Read a summary of the 2008 Maryland General Assembly session and the DC Legislative session.
ABC members are kept informed through a variety of publications and alerts. Legislative Action Alerts are sent to members when critical issues require action in a short period of time.
| The monthly Merit Shop Construction Letter highlights activities of interest to members. This publication is broadbased; it covers legislative proposals and regulatory and administrative actions that impact the industry. See the most recent issue of the Merit Shop Construction Letter. |  |
ABC holds events throughout the year that allow members to interact with their elected officials. These events include legislative receptions, an annual legislative dinner, monthly membership meetings, and annual ABC National Legislative Conference.
These events provide an excellent opportunity for ABC members to meet face-to-face with their representatives and dialogue on the issues of concern to the overall organization and to each individual business.
“Electrical General Corporation has been a member of ABC for many years. While I attended many functions over a ten-year period previously, my significant involvement with the organization began in 2000 when I became President of the business. ABC is invaluable in providing a forum to get to know the key players in other contracting companies outside what can be an adversarial contract environment. The relationships developed or enhanced through the association offer significant advantages in negotiations and resolving issues encountered on our projects.
Even more significant is the strength the association brings to bear on political and legal issues confronting the industry. Were it not for ABC, I personally believe that the District of Columbia would have moved even further toward a “closed shop” market than it has. The organization offers us the necessary shield and advocacy for the merit shop ideal and its members continue to demonstrate their commitment to the merit philosophy through the donation of time, money, and effort to protect an open market.”
Clinton M. Heine, Electrical General Corporation