Building a Better Wisconsin PAC & Builders Direct Conduit Fund
Building a Better Wisconsin
Building a Better Wisconsin (BBW) is the Wisconsin Builders Association’s® (WBA) political action committee (PAC). It is comprised of WBA members from across the state who combine their resources to support pro-housing, pro-business candidates running for state or local office in Wisconsin.
The BBW Committee is governed by WBA members, called Trustees, from throughout the state. Each local association is allowed at least one Trustee on the BBW Committee. This group determines which candidates receive PAC contributions.
PAC contribution decisions are made first with the input of local associations and secondly by reviewing the candidates' positions and voting records on housing and WBA priority issues. The decisions are bi-partisan.
Builders Direct Fund
The Builders Direct Fund is the conduit fund for WBA. What is a conduit fund? It is a fund that allows those who actively contribute to candidates running for state or local office an opportunity to also give their local and state association a role in those contributions.
For instance, say you receive a fundraising letter from a candidate running for State Assembly who you support. Instead of sending a personal check directly to the candidate, you can send a check to the Builders Direct Fund and specify those dollars go to the candidate of your choice. There are many benefits to this method. First, by sending your contribution to the Builders Direct Fund you allow your local association to reach its fundraising goals. Secondly, WBA will receive recognition from the candidate. Lastly, you still receive credit for your personal contribution. The conduit system is unique to Wisconsin and is a great system for allowing individuals to actively contribute to candidates on the state level and maximize the impact.
Three important notes:
1) Funds to the Builders Direct Fund and BBW must come from personal and not corporate sources.
2) The minimum personal contribution to BDF is $100
3) Funds from the Builders Direct Fund can only go to candidates running for office on the state and local levels — not candidates running for President, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House of Representatives.
The importance of your donation
The overall objective is to elect pro-housing candidates to the State Legislature and local units of government. Political action funds are necessary in the current election climate because campaigns require large amounts of money in order to achieve victory on Election Day. WBA must participate to be recognized as a political force before candidates are elected. An essential part of WBA is demonstrating our collective statewide support for housing issues at the capitol, and our political contributions builds our credibility when we discuss our legislative priorities.
Member involvement is an integral part of WBA’s political action activities. The efforts of WBA members to raise money for the BBW PAC and BDF Conduit are critical to the political success of WBA.
Political Issues WBA fights for on behalf of its members:
Prevent passage of any annexation legislation that would harm statewide development.
Pass reforms that make the regulatory process quicker and more efficient for builders and developers.
Oppose any legislation that hurts Wisconsin’s housing industry.
Contribute, then Get Involved
It is important to have your views heard. Please let your local BBW Committee member know your thoughts and feel free to attend the BBW Committee meetings. Every local has an important voice. Please feel free to contact Kate Easton at WBA if you have any issues you would like to discuss at 1-888-285-9066, ext. 15.
Thank you for your consideration
Click Here for the Top Ten Reasons to Meet your 2008 Building a Better WI PAC Local Goals
