Builder group forms political action committee

The Home Builders Association has a new political action committee. Formed to promote "smart growth" in the Springfield area, the Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow accepted its first financial contribution May 8, according to Matt Morrow, executive officer of the HBA of Greater Springfield and treasurer of the coalition.

Morrow defined the purpose of the committee as promoting smart-growth strategies in the political arena, in "an effort to keep homes in the Springfield area affordably priced." The PAC, he said, "will help us reach a new level of activity in the community,"

Morrow, who was hired at the first of the year, previously worked for almost five years as Sen. John Ashcroft's in-state press secretary and southwest Missouri district office director. He said his political and governmental background is likely one of the reasons the HBA Board of Directors chose him for the position. "Probably one reason they have given me the opportunity to work here is because this is a priority for them."

The Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow will work to provide financial support, endorsements and testimonials, Morrow said. "We will support candidates for office who want to help the greater Springfield area grow in a way that is reasonable and makes sense. And we will support ballot issues to that same end."

One of the PAC's challenges is to raise enough money to "make a difference," according to Morrow. "We're in the process right now of beginning to do that. We're raising money now, looking toward the next election cycle."

The upcoming election cycle according to Morrow presents a unique opportunity because term limits are in effect for about two-thirds of the current members of the Missouri Legislature. "Right now the political landscape is such that there will be a number of highly qualified people who understand these issues and who will need to find new positions," he said, "and then new people will need to fill those spaces."

Morrow said government leaders in the area have proven to be very forward-thinking, which is necessary for smart growth. "We're fortunate at the HBA to have really good working relationships with government officials and work hand-in-hand with them. We want to continue to keep people in those positions who are just as forward-thinking."

Morrow acknowledges that there are differing opinions about what a "better tomorrow" would entail for the Springfield area. "There are different ideas on what the future of our community should look like," he said. "We believe it will continue to grow, because it is an attractive place to live."

It's unrealistic, Morrow added, to believe that growth can be tightly restricted. "Our philosophy is that it makes more sense to plan for growth that is smart and environmentally friendly. You don't want to destroy the features that draw people to the area, but you don't want to tell people they can't move here, either."

Morrow emphasized that the HBA's primary focus remains that of a professional trade association, and that the new PAC is just an additional tool to help fulfill the organization's purpose. "Everything we do is geared toward creating an environment where our members can have a successful business," he said. "This new focus will help their business to be sustainable for the long term."

The political action committee largely consists of HBA members, but it is open to others as well, Morrow said. "We hope that some of our friends in the area, in other organizations with similar goals, will be interested in joining us in this activity."