Dallas BA Takes Builder Issues to Washington
A delegation of the Dallas Builders Association’s members and staff were on Capitol Hill on June 7 to talk with our service area’s members of Congress. Joining with Dallas BA in meetings with a shared U.S. Representative were members from the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association. With the prospect that building more homes can tame inflation and ease the affordability crisis, our team addressed three major issues that impact home building.
Over the past year, the nationwide shortage of electrical distribution transformers has worsened. With delivery delays stretching well over a year, Dallas BA voiced the importance of Congress utilizing the Defense Production Act to boost output at existing facilities in order to regain adequate supply. We also urged that they oppose a proposal by the Department of Energy to change a key manufacturing standard in the production of transformers because it would severely exacerbate the current supply shortage.
Regarding energy codes, the Association discussed the importance of continuing the effort to repeal a provision from the 2021 Inflation Reduction Act that would force municipalities to adopt, possibly unknowingly, more stringent energy codes in return for grants. The caveat of not being able to amend the codes to best match a local jurisdiction’s needs will not only limit energy choices for consumers, but also worsen the current housing affordability crisis.
Dallas BA also informed our members of Congress about the need for 2.2 million new construction workers that will be needed to keep up with the nation’s housing demand over the next 3 years. With the DFW region already facing a shortage of 25,000 workers, we asked Congress to reauthorize the Workplace Innovation and Opportunity Act to help ease the shortage and fully fund the Job Corps program, which helps train skilled labor for the industry.
With inflation continuing to outpace household incomes, the sooner we can address needless regulatory cost increases to home building, the better.
Dallas BA appreciates the Representatives and staff of the offices listed below making time to meet with our members and staff:
Congressman Colin Allred
Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D.
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett
Congressman Jake Ellzey
Congressman Pat Fallon
Congressman Lance Gooden
Congressman Ronny Jackson
Congressman Keith Self
Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne
Congressman Marc Veasey
Dallas BA’s congressional meetings were part of the National Association of Home Builders Legislative Conference which saw hundreds of home building advocates visit with members of Congress.
Top photo: David Lehde, Michelle Carter-Love, Matt Robinson, Kent Conine, Tim Lansford, Frank Murphy, John Porizek, Michael Turner
Michell Carter-Love, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Michael Turner