8 minute read
Advocacy a Right and a Privilege
ADVOCACY
A Right and a Privilege
By DANA COLE, Executive Director Hardwood Federation
On December 15, 1791, the U.S. Constitution was adopted. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees, among other freedoms, the right of citizens to petition their government “for a redress of grievances.” This original right guaranteed to citizens has been expanded to include the right to express their views to the government on all issues under debate. In other words, we all have the right to express our thoughts on policy questions at every level of government, at the local, state, or federal level. It is a freedom many take for granted.
Today, when most people think of how they can influence government action, they don’t think much beyond the casting of their vote. And, of course, the right to vote in an election is both a responsibility and a privilege. But once someone is elected to office, we have additional opportunities to impact their decisions about proposed legislation and regulations. We can advocate for the decision that best meets our personal and professional goals . . . we can lobby them.
According to legend, the word lobbyist (and lobbying) gained popularity during the Grant Administration. Citizens eager to share their perspective with President Ulysses S. Grant would hang out in the lobby of the Willard Hotel, where the President could often be found with a cigar and brandy, for the opportunity to speak with him (or buy him drinks) to influence his political decisions. While it is much more difficult to influence a decision with an expensive cocktail, thanks to strictly enforced election campaign laws, making your opinion known to someone who depends on your vote is still very much allowed.
Today, a lobbyist (or advocate) is any individual who seeks to educate or persuade members of the government, including members of Congress, to enact legislation and policies that benefit or protect their group. Anyone who meets with or contacts their member of the U.S. Congress to voice an opinion is functioning as a lobbyist. But so is anyone that attends a city council meeting to ask for a stoplight to be installed or a noise ordinance to be enforced. Or talks to their representative to the State House about proposed state regulation. The ability to advocate or lobby in our own best interest extends from our doorstep all the way to the halls of Capitol Hill.
Almost twenty years ago, hardwood industry leaders recognized the importance of maximizing their capacity to
advocate for hardwood-friendly legislation at the federal level. The Hardwood Federation was created to harness the advocacy capacity of the many hardwood-focused trade associations and industry groups that exist at the national, regional, and state levels.
Our world moves much faster today than it did in Grant’s time . . . or than it did twenty years ago. The demands on businesses are such that day-to-day focus on politics is impractical, particularly at the federal level, which often seems far removed from the rigors of daily life and work. The Hardwood Federation pays close attention to the federallevel issues that impact the industry the most. These priority issues can change year to year, from Administration to Administration. Priorities can change month to month. And sometimes, the top priority can change overnight, as we saw during the U.S. trade dispute with China and the spread of the COVID 19 virus.
Regardless of which political party controls the White House, the U.S. Senate, or the U.S. House of Representatives, there are always challenges to whatever construct is currently in place, just as there are always opportunities for the hardwood and wood products industries. We certainly advocate on your behalf to the Administration and Congress. But we also alert you about how you and your company can be your own best lobbyist.
In 2021, Democrats control the White House and both chambers of Congress. This is a changed dynamic from the one we dealt with in 2020, and it will change again in the future. But regardless of who holds the reins of power in Washington D.C., the Hardwood Federation’s agenda, our top priority for advocacy efforts, is to better the business climate for hardwood businesses. This remains consistent and is our guiding philosophy. It has been from the beginning.
The Hardwood Federation has identified the below issues as priorities for 2021, some likely to carry over to 2022. • CLIMATE: The Biden Administration has been clear that addressing climate concerns is at the top of their priority list. Of particular concern to the hardwood industry are myopic efforts to consider forestlands — and only forestlands as the key to removing carbon from the atmosphere. While we applaud this long-overdue recognition of the role growing trees play in carbon sequestration, we are very concerned that most proposed legislation and regulatory efforts stop at the edge of the forest and do not make the important connection between a healthy forest products industry, healthy and sustainable forests, and carbon storage counting methods. We are actively communicating this oversight to Congress and the Administration in coordination with other wood products industry allies.
We are also working with our forestry and forest product industry allies on a consensus definition of “biomass” that will enable us to influence federal climate and energy policymaking so that the energy and residuals we use in our facilities will be recognized as renewable and carbon neutral.
• TAX POLICY: The Biden Administration has an aggressive agenda with many high-level goals. How to achieve and pay for many of the proposed federal programs is still up in the air. The Hardwood Federation is closely monitoring proposals to increase the tax burden on the small and medium businesses that form the bulk of the industry. In particular, we are alert to attempts to increase inheritance taxes, eliminate the stepped up in basis in calculating capital gains, and any other actions that raise the tax burden for S-Corporations and other pass-through structures that are popular in our sector.
• WORKER SHORTAGES: The business community, in general, is finding it difficult to fill available jobs as the country recovers from the COVID crisis. The Hardwood Federation will support efforts to move workers back to the job site and oppose actions that will disincentivize return to work. The Federation also continues to support training
and workforce development programs, including those that impact loggers and truck drivers.
• INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION:
There is much discussion about making a significant investment in the nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure. The Hardwood Federation supports targeted focus on projects that support the industry and the ability to move products to domestic and international markets, including roads, ports, power grids, and railroads. We are also engaged in a wide-reaching coalition raising awareness and proposing solutions to delays and impediments related to international shipping. Members of the Hardwood Federation team are proud to represent the industry and welcome the opportunity to communicate the great contributions every business in the sector makes to the U.S. economy and the role hardwood manufacturing and products play in a sustainable environment. But we cannot do it alone.
We encourage everyone that is engaged in the industry, including landowners, loggers, truckers, manufacturers, and suppliers, to take the time to be their own advocate . . . at the local, state, and federal level.
• Be informed about policies that impact you and your business. Don’t wait for someone else to speak on your behalf. Or worse, speak against your best interests.
• Meet elected officials. Join the Hardwood Federation in Washington D.C. for our annual Capitol Hill Day. Invite your local, state, or federal officials to your place of business; show them what you do and how it makes a difference.
• Respond to calls to action . . .whether it comes from your state or local hardwood association or from the Hardwood Federation. Making YOUR voice heard makes a difference.
• Continue to support the Hardwood Federation, both financially and through your engagement. Together we can make a difference. Thank you to the Board, the members, and the staff of NHLA, a founding member of the Hardwood Federation, for the significant support they have given to our efforts over the years.
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