Welcome to the Political Action Center

Builder Voice – a new tool to support our industry and keep it healthy   AHC 2010 endorsed candidates   Voter Information

There are many timely issues that directly impact the homebuilding industry, such as critical areas regulations, design review guidelines, sprinkler requirements, impact fees, permitting processes and so on. These issues aren't just impacting builders and developers, they affect those working in related fields, from realtors to concrete pourers, and from window installers to plumbing supply companies. Ultimately, these issues affect our entire regional economy.

Our association is very active voicing our concerns about housing and growth management issues. However, the association is only as strong as its members: the more members who participate, the more likely it is that our voices will be heard.

These issues create new opportunities for MBA members to become involved in creating positive change. One of the most important ingredients of a successful association is an active membership that is willing to have its voice heard by the public and by our elected officials. The accomplishments that can be realized through strong, grassroots efforts of our members are limitless.

Here are some examples of ways you can help make a positive difference for housing:

• Vote. Given the importance of county and local issues to our members and the fact that every vote truly does make a difference, elections represent a golden opportunity for the homebuilding industry to elect housing-friendly candidates in King and Snohomish counties. Throughout the year, we evaluate elected officials at the city, county and state levels to determine how they line up with our industry. Each election cycle our political action committee, the Affordable Housing Council, interviews candidates, determines their degree of support for our industry and publishes a list of recommended candidates. Your vote in support of MBA-endorsed candidates will go a long way toward affecting the outcome of these critical races.

• Join Builder Voice. Communicating with elected officials reminds them that MBA members are watching the issues affecting the homebuilding industry and care about them. Our association now has the ability to speak with one voice – one Builder Voice. This new program is an opt-in electronic communications tool that provides you with information on issues affecting our industry and enables you to communicate directly with elected officials when necessary.

• Contribute to Just 10 Percent. Members who receive a rebate through Return on Industrial Insurance (ROII) are encouraged to contribute to our association ‘s Just 10 Percent program. These contributions are used to help pay for our public policy program, which elects and retains candidates friendly to the housing industry, while sweeping no-growth incumbents out of office. This money allows us to maintain and grow political and policy gains that some environmental and growth management groups want to take away from us, and counters the increase of regulations by helping to elect decision makers who support homeownership and our industry. It also goes to defray the costs of lobbying efforts and research projects that help to make the industry ‘s case before officeholders and policymakers.

Click here for a complete list of ways you can help improve the climate for housing in our region. Throughout the year, you can find more information about how to can get directly involved in advancing our association's issues on the MBA website, Up to Date and via e-mail. Members are also invited to participate in any of our government affairs committees, such as the Housing Policy Committee, Affordable Housing Council, King County Builders Council, Seattle Builders Council, South King Issues Group and the Developer-Builder Issues Committee.