Virtual Fly-In Draws
New AGC Participants
By Rindi White
T

wenty Zoom meetings in two days sounds like a pandemic-style marathon. In 2021, it’s how lobbying is done.

Each year, several representatives from the Associated General Contractors of Alaska fly to Juneau to meet with legislators, share a meal or a drink, and advocate on behalf of the construction industry. But open meetings and shared meals with legislators are off the table during the 32nd Alaska State Legislature. Like most events, the legislative fly-in went virtual.

Brittany Hartmann, Associated General Contractors of Alaska’s Fairbanks branch manager and government relations liaison, said about twenty-four AGC of Alaska members participated in the event, held February 24 and 25. Typically, around twenty members fly to Juneau, she says.

“This year there were a lot of new people,” says Hartmann. “For eight or nine of them, it was their first time, so it was an opportunity for people who don’t normally go to Juneau to get involved.”

Via Zoom meetings, the members met with about forty legislators, often in meetings of one to three legislators at a time.

Discussions focused mainly on AGC’s legislative priorities: a sustainable state fiscal plan; responsible resource development; workforce development and education; and worker’s compensation reform. AGC also gave input and asked questions about a roughly $350 million General Obligation bond currently before the legislature. AGC’s executive board is preparing a white paper to be delivered to AGC members online outlining the association’s stance on the GO bond, but at present, Hartmann says, the association remains neutral.

Although more AGC members were able to be present and legislators were accommodating, Hartmann says she believes in-person lobbying is more effective.

“I would say nothing beats face-to-face interaction,” Hartmann says.

Rindi White is the editor of The Alaska Contractor Magazine.
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With public access to the capital on hold right now,
Associated General Contractors of Alaska Fairbanks Branch Manager and Government Relations Liaison Brittany Hartmann says people have more access than they normally would to legislators.

“All you have to do is set up a 10 to 15 minute meeting with your legislator, and you can do it from your office or home office,” she says. “It’s actually easier now to lobby on behalf of your business.”

Hartmann held a presentation about how to advocate for your business at the 2020 AGC of Alaska annual meeting in November. Below are several tips she offered at the meeting.

Ways to give your
input on legislation:
Other ways to be involved
in the process:
  • Work with the bill sponsor on their language
  • Work with the chair or other committee members and ask them to propose an amendment in committee
  • Testify during the public comment period
  • Write a letter and/or make phone calls to your legislator and members on the committee
  • Contact all legislators, or at least a majority, before a bill you are interested in goes to the floor for a vote
  • Provide your legislators with background on yourself, your company, and your concern.
  • Relate your concern to them—detailing your exact experience—in a way that impacts or affects their district and their constituents.
  • Remember: You are the expert in your field, not them.
  • Offer to be an expert on and a resource for the construction industry.
  • Meet with them during the interim.
  • Establish a regular meeting time with your legislator.
  • Show them appreciation and respect.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to commissioners and the governor’s administration for advocacy.
Ways to give your input on legislation:
  • Work with the bill sponsor on their language
  • Work with the chair or other committee members and ask them to propose an amendment in committee
  • Testify during the public comment period
  • Write a letter and/or make phone calls to your legislator and members on the committee
  • Contact all legislators, or at least a majority, before a bill you are interested in goes to the floor for a vote
Other ways to be involved in the process:
  • Provide your legislators with background on yourself, your company, and your concern.
  • Relate your concern to them—detailing your exact experience—in a way that impacts or affects their district and their constituents.
  • Remember: You are the expert in your field, not them.
  • Offer to be an expert on and a resource for the construction industry.
  • Meet with them during the interim.
  • Establish a regular meeting time with your legislator.
  • Show them appreciation and respect.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to commissioners and the governor’s administration for advocacy.
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