Mike Reed, CPA, FRSA Controller
The FRSA Political Action Committee (PAC) has played an important role in the roofing industry’s political activities since it was recreated by a group of loyal volunteers at a late 1979 FRSA committee meeting. The Board formalized the creation of the PAC at the January 1980 Governmental “Activities” meeting. (The committee is now known as the Governmental Affairs Committee). Bernie Parrish was hired as the Association lobbyist in 1980.
During the PAC’s early years, fundraising was the primary focus, along with controlling rising workers’ compensation insurance rates. During its first two decades, the PAC was dependent on fundraising events and individual contributions to raise money.
We found it difficult to establish a war chest to make campaign contributions from. FRSA affiliates were viewed as an integral component of the PAC planning and funding at this stage and a contribution of $2,000 was received from the Southwest Florida Roofing Contractors Association in 1983 to jump start a campaign to raise $20,000 in support of business-friendly candidates. SWFRCA challenged other affiliates to match its donation.
From 1981 to 1983, an annual meeting was held in Tallahassee with the goal of making as much personal contact with legislators as possible. These were known as “Legislative Board of Directors” meetings and were successful in bringing FRSA members and
their representatives together. In 1983, a “Shrimp Boil” was held at Ausley Farm in Tallahassee with 34 of 40 senators attending, an incredible number when viewed in retrospect. In 1985, a cookout was held for House Committee chairs as a part of a scheduled
FRSA meeting.
The first candidate contributions had been made by the PAC in 1982 and efforts were rewarded early on. In 1982, Governor Bob Graham spoke at the FRSA Convention while running for re-election. Speakers at Governmental Affairs Committee meetings during
the early 1980s included House Insurance Committee Chair Tom Gustafson in 1984 and Insurance Commissioner Bill Gunter in 1985. The PAC always used these events to raise funds, hosting an evening function following the day’s meetings.
The FRSA Convention was also an avenue for fundraising during the early years. In 1984, there was a “FRSA-PAC Entertainment Hour.” In 1985 an act known as “The Mayor and Buford” entertained and, in 1986, a “Jivin’ Drive-in” party was held to benefit the
PAC.
By the early 1990s, the PAC was well established but still struggling to raise funds on a consistent basis. However, limited funding didn’t stop PAC activity. In 1992 and 1993, efforts by the PAC and other construction partners defeated a large Joint Underwriting
Insurance Bill. At this time, the PAC was also actively involved with reform to Chapter 489 and, in 1993, became an early member of the Construction Coalition.
In 1994, asbestos removal and disposal was a hot issue and FRSA was fortunate to hire Cam Fentriss as lobbyist the same year. Cam would end up serving the Association and PAC for the next 24 years, to the great benefit of the roofing industry in Florida. The asbestos issue and subsequent disposal requirements led the PAC and the FRSA Educational & Research Foundation to create a class to comply with the new law.
In 1996, another Legislative Board of Directors meeting was held in Tallahassee and a legislative reception was held on Friday evening in the old state capitol Senate chambers. The formation of the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) was a major topic of conversation at these meetings, with FRSA pushing for a roofing seat at the table from its inception.
PAC fundraising events were again held at the 1997 and 1998 FRSA Conventions. In 1997, a PAC “Gong Show” was held displaying the talents (or lack thereof) of several Association members. In 1998, an “Artisan Competition” was held with members creating artistic sculptures using only items found in roofing. As an aside, “Roofer Man” stands in my office and a copper suit of amour is displayed in our trophy case, are both items from this competition.
In the late 1990s, a lot of work was going on behind the scenes developing the initial edition of the Florida Building Codes (FBC), with the first draft of the code published in April 1999. Lobbying efforts led to five FRSA members serving on the Roofing Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Florida Building Commission during the first FBC code cycle.
1999 saw a milestone in PAC fundraising when the first PAC Golf Tournament was held. The tournament was a success and became a tradition that was held every year in conjunction with the Fall FRSA Board and Committee meetings from 1999 through 2019,
with the exception of the aftermath of September 11 in 2001. No event was held in 2020 due to the pandemic and in 2021, a cornhole tournament was held in lieu of golf. The tournament increased amounts available for legislative contributions but fell short of what many felt was needed to support as many candidates as desired.
In 2000, the most significant fundraising item in PAC history occurred, the conversion of the PAC into a new format recently created by the Florida Division of Elections. The creation of a Committee of Continuous Existence (CCE) allowed FRSA to designate a portion, ($40) of each Association dues payment to the PAC for the first time. This immediately increased the amount available for campaign contributions to between $22,000–$26,000 annually, or around $50,000 each election cycle. The increased amount allowed the PAC to participate in a more meaningful way and was also a great way to encourage all members to take part in political activities that affect their businesses.
The PAC became increasingly active beginning in 2000 and has been ever since. A larger treasury also benefited lobbying efforts, providing significantly more for campaign contributions, not only to candidates but to political parties and other political
committees, both of which are not limited by election cycle limits on amounts they can receive.
Along with more contributions to candidates, came a couple of policies that served the PAC well. First, whenever possible, it is viewed as desirable to hand-deliver checks to candidates. Members of the Governmental Affairs Committee have delivered
innumerable contributions to candidates in their districts, putting a face with the message supporting the industry. Second, the amounts contributed to individual candidates is set by PAC policy, making it easier to determine the amount to give. The maximum
contribution is only given to candidates who have a background in construction or are in a leadership position in the legislature. A third policy that was utilized for many years was to make contributions in the same political party proportion as reflected in the balance of power.
In the Twenty-First Century, the Governmental Affairs Committee and the PAC have battled numerous issues, each with the FRSA membership fully informed of both the industry’s position and the stakes for roofing contractors. Information is communicated
electronically through periodic Legislative Update reports, along with the occasional “Member Alert” when an issue requires immediate attention. These typically call on members to contact their representative regarding a particular issue.
Workers’ compensation reform, Lien Law and Notice of Commencement, retainage and prompt pay, the Florida Building Code, the Florida Product Approval System, out-of-state contractor issues, roofing scope of work items, unlicensed activity (including the creation of an Unlicensed Activity Task Force), tort reform, construction defects, construction training and property insurance battles have all been addressed at the legislative level by the FRSA-PAC. If an issue affecting roofing contractors’ businesses
arises, our Legislative Counsel, Chris Dawson and the Governmental Affairs Committee are on it. Subcommittees are often formed to address specific issues important to contractors like the current Chapter 558 Construction Defects group looking at proposed 2022 legislation affecting any contractor who performs defect repair work.
An increase this year in the amount designated for the PAC from Association dues payments has the PAC in sound financial shape going into the 2022 election cycle and beyond. In mid-December, Chris Dawson presented a list of recommended candidates to the
Governmental Affairs Committee to support prior to the January 11, 2022 Legislative Session. Members discussed and approved the slate and volunteered to personally deliver checks to candidates. In this way the PAC will continue to be, as it has in the past, an effective voice of Florida’s roofing industry in Tallahassee.
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