Grassroots

A resource for the members of the General Contractors Association of Pennsylvania

What is Grassroots?
Grassroots is the effective deployment of constituent-based political power to impact and influence legislation that is important to you and your business. Grassroots activities are the best way to impact legislation.

Through your efforts, GCAP can:

  1. Establish contacts within GCAP who can quickly reach out to officials on issues
  2. Educate GCAP members to be effective advocates for the construction industry
  3. Be truly effective in helping to craft favorable legislation in Harrisburg

The PA General Assembly
Your legislators were elected to represent you in the General Assembly. When deciding how to vote on an issue, they look to input from their constituents. Since it is your opinion that matters the most, do not be afraid to share your thoughts with them.

Establishing a Relationship
By meeting with a legislator in his or her home district, you have their attention. They know you are a constituent. They are less busy and are not typically being bombarded by the hundreds of issues that they face while in Harrisburg.

Call your legislator and ask to set up a “get to know you” meeting for lunch, for coffee, or when your member has some free time.
This is a chance to discuss the more general issues affecting the union construction industry. Tell your legislator how these issues affect your business. Once you have established a relationship, he or she will be more likely to take your call or pay attention to your letter when an issue arises.

Invite your legislator to attend construction industry events in the district.
Schedules are tight for legislators, but they appreciate the opportunity to meet their constituents in group settings. They have the opportunity to get to know you, the industry, AND the issues we face.

Invite your legislator to visit a worksite and meet your employees.
This is a good one-on-one opportunity for you and your legislator, to show them first hand the work you do and meet those who work with you. Plus legislators always need good photo opportunities for upcoming newsletters and mailings!

Attend events held by your legislators.
Get a foursome together and attend your legislators’ golf outings. Take the time to visit with him/her at his/her reception or fundraiser. Let legislators know that you value the work they do in Harrisburg, and while you are there, share information regarding the issues you face in the industry.

Communication Techniques
Letters
If time allows, written letters – mailed or faxed – provide an effective means of communicating. Letters have more visual impact and demonstrate that the issue is important enough to warrant the effort of drafting a letter. Visit the GCAP Links page for information on how to identify and contact your legislators.

Phone and/or E-mail
If more immediate action is needed, utilize a call or email to the legislative office. Visit the GCAP Links page for information on how to identify and contact your legislators.

If you have established a good relationship with your legislator, a phone call to his /her Harrisburg office is a highly effective tool.

In the ideal situation, your relationship with your legislator will be such that (S)HE will call YOU to get your opinion when a construction industry vote arises.

Communication Tips

  • Legislators are busy, so be brief.
  • Be aware of the bill number for the issue you are addressing, and where it stands in the process. If you are not sure, give us a call at 717.731.6272 and we can look it up. You can also monitor legislation on the General Assembly web site (www.legis.state.pa.us).
  • Include facts, figures and statistics. Members like to have numbers to support their positions. What will it cost the industry? How many other states have these laws? Will it make it easier/more difficult to compete with neighboring states?
  • Be specific on how the bill or issue affects you and your business. Will it raise your expenses by $XXX per year? Will you have to lay off employees?
  • Be polite and respectful, regardless of your legislator’s position. Even (s)he is not with GCAP on this issue, you do not want to alienate them for the next one.

Remember: as a constituent of your legislator,
you are the most effective lobbyist we have. Thank you.

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