That’s the question now being studied at BOMA/NY—should we form a Political Action Committee (PAC) to make financial contributions to City and State political candidates supporting our industry? (Make sure to take our 1-question Readers Poll at the bottom of the BOMAFACTS home page, and look for a more in-depth survey in your e-mail shortly.)

Being part of the fund-raising process will give us more access to lawmakers, and with that comes the influence that can be leveraged for and against legislation affecting us. With their higher profiles, PACs give their constituencies a bigger voice in the halls of power and can achieve measurable success on both sides of the aisle.

Other local BOMA Associations report these results this year: BOMA San Francisco's PAC fought down a property tax increase; BOMA’s Washington State PAC achieved green tax incentives for owners and the BOMA Florida PAC defeated an anti-development measure that would have required the state’s voters to approve all local comprehensive land use plan changes, rather than having those changes approved or rejected by city or county commissions.

BOMA/NY target issues

Potential BOMA/NY targets could be fighting against tax increases, the seemingly endless new fees levied on our industry, the prevailing wage issue and weighing in, as appropriate, on legislative changes to the Building, Fire and Construction Codes, and the Green Greater Buildings Law.

Our PAC would be non-partisan, have our industry and its jobs as its first priority, and be open to both individuals and companies for contributions. Every election cycle you can donate as little as $15 or as much as $150,000 as an individual; as a company, $5,000.

Feasibility study findings will be reported to the Board of Directors this coming January, and BOMAFACTS will give you the full details.