NAA’s annual Capitol Conference, held March 13-16 in Washington, D.C., provided a forum for a record number of NAA members to carry a loud and unified message to their representatives and senators during face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill.
Congress is so busy these days debating major issues such as the budget, size and scope of government, taxes, health care, international relations and the environment. Industries such as the multifamily housing industry must focus and participate in government affairs at the national level more than ever to ensure their voices are heard.
NAA’s annual Capitol Conference, held March 13-16 in Washington, D.C., provided a forum for a record number of NAA members to carry a loud and unified message to their representatives and senators during face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill.
This annual event was the most attended in NAA’s history, as 479 attendees (including 124 who were there for the first time) participated in 164 visits to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 42 visits to Senators. Of the approximately 240 congressional members on key committees of interest to the apartment industry, NAA members visited 110. In a focused move to introduce new members of congress to the apartment industry, NAA members visited 37 freshmen on the Hill.
The three primary issues NAA members discussed with their members of Congress were reforming the nation’s housing finance system, specifically Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; energy policy, especially as it relates to energy efficiency initiatives; and the need for a balanced federal housing policy.
NAA members learned more about these issues during a briefing delivered by the NAA/NMHC Joint Legislative Program staff, led by Cindy Chetti, NMHC’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
This briefing served as preparation for attendees before they took to the Hill on the final day of the conference (See page 92).
Rachel Allen, Marketing & Government Affairs Coordinator, Greater Nashville Apartment Association, was a first-time attendee.
“I was very impressed by how much I learned at Capitol Conference,” Allen said. “As an association staff member it is my responsibility to keep our members informed and up to date on what is going on legislatively. I also need to know how each issue affects them and what they can do to support their industry.
“The whole experience of Capitol Conference provided me with a much deeper understanding of my job. Being able to meet with every one of our congressmen or their staff members was an amazing experience, not only because we were able to literally voice our opinions, but also how many people can say they have sat and spoken with their congressmen about an issue that they are passionate about? I am so glad to have had the opportunity.”
Politico Editor Talks Washington, White House
NAA Capitol Conference kick-off speaker Jim VandeHei, Executive Editor and Co-Founder of Politico, a nonpartisan media company covering national politics, addressed the unique political climate in Washington today and also spoke about the Republican party’s possible plans and strategy for the next election cycle. He also offered his interpretation of Barack Obama’s mindset as he serves the second half of his term as President.
“The GOP is evolving in real time right now,” VandeHei said. “The country is still trying to find out who Obama is. We’ve not seen this level of volatility among the national and local electorate since the 1940s.”
VandeHei said the GOP was energized by its political base and results from the November 2010 elections and will continue its efforts to repeal ObamaCare.
He mentioned that for Obama to win in 2012, he must move toward the center. “The same happened to Bill Clinton at this stage of his two terms in the White House,” VandeHei said. “But with Clinton, it took about nine months for him to get there. Obama has shown so far in 2011 that he can move there in a snap.”
Given the Republicans’ control of the House of Representatives, VandeHei said, Obama must now govern from the center after spending his first two years doing so from the left. VandeHei predicted that the GOP will gain the Senate in 2012, mostly because so many Democrats are up for re-election and the voting trend has seemingly swung in favor of the Republicans of late.
Politics for Lunch
The conference’s Government Affairs Roundtable Luncheon welcomed former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who spoke about the value of government advocacy, shared stories about his time in public office and commented about the state of politics in the country and in Washington.
“When you visit members of Congress, don’t ever assume that they know your industry,” Lott said. “They meet with so many constituents all day, every day, that it’s impossible for them to have an across-the-board understanding of an industry like apartment management. But just being here and spending time with them is so important. They want to hear from their constituents. Now is the time for you to share the knowledge you have about your industry with them.”
On the other hand, he said the politicians today are sometimes surprised at just how much American citizens know about what is going on in Washington when it comes to policies and legislation. “With so many important issues in the news, everyone is watching, listening and understanding the situation,” Lott said.
He said there are many issues that demand aggressive action right now, such as tax reform, health care, the budget, energy, education and defense against terrorism. At the same time, there are many freshman members in Congress. “They will quickly learn that they cannot be so stubborn in their opinions,” Lott said. “Eventually, they’ll have to take the side of others, even if they don’t totally agree with them, if they expect those others to support their own ideas.”
Lott said our government is clearly divided right now, “but that often can be the time when it can be most productive.”
He said he doesn’t expect any immediate or extreme action taken in terms of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “Congress won’t over-react,” he said. “I know this, because they’ve been talking about this for two years now and still haven’t done anything.
“This country doesn’t need a bunch of new laws, only ones that will keep the government’s noses out of our business,” Lott added.
He said he thinks the country is ready for a new crop of leaders to emerge. “Most of my generation, those who grew up in the 1960s and 70s, are all leaving or being voted out of office,” Lott said. “There will be a major transformation of [younger] leaders in Congress in the next six years.”
Attendee Lisa Clark, CAPS, Regional Property Manager, Bell Partners, Mansfield, Texas, said she agreed with most of Lott’s comments. “I thought he was awesome,” Clark said. “I’m glad he thinks that Congress’ next wave of leaders will realize that what was important to those in [Lott’s] generation is different from what is important and most affects my generation today.”
Lobbying Expert Offers Tips
Michael Dunn, Chairman and CEO, Dunn Associates, Washington, D.C., shared first-hand knowledge and effective strategies on how industries can build their Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraising efforts in a lively tutorial based on his 35 years’ experience in navigating political maneuvering between public officials, lobbyists and voters.
“The people in this room have a great deal of latent political power,” said Dunn, to an audience of NAA’s Board of Directors and Assembly of Delegates.
He offered several ways that voters can gain the attention of elected officials, especially given voters’ limited access to politicians based on laws passed in 2004 that forbid them from dining with or even having a cup of coffee with their members of Congress.
First, make a political contribution for that official of at least $250. Contributions are not reported unless they are more than $200, so for smaller sums, the politician isn’t even aware that the contribution took place.
Second, volunteer in their campaign. “Helping in this way is valuable to them and it won’t cost a cent,” Dunn said. Finally, hold a fundraiser for them in your own neighborhood.
“I came to hear Michael Dunn’s opinion,” said Beth Wyatt, Executive Director of the Apartment Association of Fort Wayne. “He had a lot of useful tips on how to get involved, whether it’s through money or volunteering. That’s very helpful to the local affiliate. I’m definitely leaving the session with an understanding of how I can further my relationship with my local congressman. Our congressman is very involved in the community, and that represents a missed opportunity we need to capitalize on.”
NAAPAC Raises Record Funds
NAAPAC’s annual fundraising reception during Capitol Conference was Wine Tasting of the World, held at the House of Sweden. It was attended by more than 200 members who mixed and mingled, tasting different wines.
NAAPAC continues the record-breaking trend of funds raised during the Capitol Conference and is well on the way to reaching the $300,000 goal for 2011!