Eighteen year General Assembly veteran William Irons said he gives this advice to people who want to influence public policy: “I always tell people to invite your legislator to your business, tell them who you are, what you do.”
That seems to be a good rule of thumb for organizations and individuals, who follow legislative activities or have decided to initiate change.
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“Last year I went out to a company called Matrix (Inc.),” said Sen. Irons, D-East Providence. “They called me about their electric rate while we were there they told me about a problem they had with molds.”
At the time, clients could take possession of custom-made molds and have another manufacturer make the same product; but a hitch in state law allowed some companies to take the mold without paying the manufacturer, Michael R. Marra said. Marra is president of Cowan Plastic Products Corp. in Providence and a founder of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council.
A mold lien bill was introduced on Feb. 5, 1998, was passed, and took effect on July 9, 1998, according to the state’s Legislative Data office.
Marra said without the law, which requires customers to settle debts with manufacturers before taking the molds, the companies had no recourse against customers who didn’t pay. “The fact is they had the right to do it, it makes litigation hard,” he added.
Irons said: “In one session we passed the law. That came from visiting a plant and asking what their concerns were.”
“Anyone who is running a mom and pop store to the man who may employ 150 people should feel free to call up,” said state Rep. William SanBento Jr., D-Pawtucket. “I think it’s incumbent on the representative to help these people. There are times people just come up with ideas that aren’t feasible … but I think everything should be up for discussion.” Irons said trade associations are also a good start. “There’s very few walks of life today that don’t have a professional association that represents them,” he said.
Among the most vocal groups at the Statehouse are the Smaller Business Association of New England, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, and organizations representing accountants and insurance companies, Irons said.
The state’s Chambers of Commerce are another venue, Marra added.
Jerry A. Meyer, executive director of the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, said he and the local town manager recently joined the Greater Providence Chamber. “They have quite a powerful committee and they have lobbyists,” said Meyer.
The East Greenwich group can’t afford its own lobbyists and there is no statewide Chamber, Meyer explained.
