Two SAF members didn't shy away from recent opportunities to represent the floral industry by building critical relationships with a local lawmaker and newspaper.

Tom Massingham of Garrison Hill Florists Inc. in Dover, N.H., was the sole retailer at a business roundtable held by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-1-N.H.). Topics addressed at the 90-minute meeting included energy costs, the troubled housing market and health care costs. Members of the banking, legal and real estate industries participated in the discussion.

"I was happy that there was at least one retailer there," Massingham says.

For Massingham, the discussion on health insurance rates hit home because he was just notified that health insurance rates for his employees would rise to nearly $170 per person per month as of July 1. Shea-Porter plans on making the business roundtable a regular event in her district, and Massingham says he will attend the next meeting, too.

"She certainly seems receptive to hearing about what is going on in her district and interested in what's happening in the real world back here," Massingham explains. "Based on previous experience with my local representatives, she seems more willing to not only listen to concerns, but actually try to do something about them."

Jo Buttram, AAF, AMF, of Shirley's Flowers & Gifts in Rogers, Ark., used her experience as a veteran attendee of SAF's Congressional Action Days and knowledge of the resources at SAF to make sure her interview with a state newspaper hammered home the industry's most important points. A Northwest Arkansas Business Journal reporter wanted to know Buttram's views on a new Senate Finance Committee proposal, "Information Reporting for Electronic Payments," that could affect small businesses. The proposal is one of several that purport to close the tax gap (now estimated to be more than $300 billion). "SAF has specific concerns about its impact and has signed a letter to that effect as a member of the Coalition for Fairness in Tax Compliance," says Jeanne Ramsay, senior director of government relations for SAF.

Buttram, who maintains solid relationships with her federal lawmakers, is often called upon by SAF to discuss industry concerns with her legislators. When it came to giving this interview, however, Buttram says she knew her best bet was to contact SAF staff to obtain talking points and advice before speaking with the reporter.

The article, which appeared in the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal on May 19, centers on small business opposition to the measure. Buttram says in the article "the proposal would unfairly burden those who do report all their income while doing nothing to those who don't."

It's important to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves to talk with the media and meet with lawmakers. For helpful taking points, visit the government advocacy and industry promotion sections of SAF's Web site.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

 

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