Strictly speaking, it’s not the season for elections.
Federal and state elections are more than a year away, but government affairs are always in season at NEFBA.
Most recently, the annual Beast Feast, arguably one of NEFBA’s most popular events, was Oct. 1.
The outdoor barbecue attracted local, state and federal politicos, NEFBA members and friends of the association for an evening of handshaking and thanking officials for their support of industry-friendly initiatives.
In August, NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee hosted U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho for a meeting with members.
Yoho, a veterinarian by trade, spoke on topics ranging from the Affordable Healthcare Act to the Iran nuclear deal.
He also shared stories of his life as a small business owner in Gainesville. Yoho recently made an unsuccessful bid for speaker of the House and he related the inside story of that experience.
Florida Sen. Robert Bradley was introduced to the Clay Builders Council by Clay County Commissioner and NEFBA member Wendell Davis.
Sen. Bradley gave the packed room a breakdown of the 2015 Florida legislative session. He covered the unprecedented ending to this year’s regular session, with the House concluding its session before approval of the budget. That triggered the first of this year’s special sessions.
Sen. Bradley also answered questions about the redistricting process, which was the topic of the second special session this year.
“Interacting with the decision-makers at all levels of government is critical to the industry,” said Jessie Spradley, NEFBA’s Government Affairs director. “We have a close connection with our local officials and were pleased to see so many at Beast Feast.
“And, our ties with state and federal legislators also run deep,” Spradley said. “It’s a credit to our members and to the quality of our elected officials that NEFBA can establish and maintain these important relationships.”