Willett Public Affairs Leads Successful Lobby Day for Client SMACNA-NYS

Willett President Perry M. Ochacher with Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and part of the SMACNA team.

On March 18, NYS Sheet Metal and Air Conditioners Contractors Association (SMACNA-NYS) representatives traveled to Albany for a productive day of meetings with legislators at the New York State Capitol as part of their annual, in-person lobby day. These meetings, which Willett Public Affairs and Carlucci Consulting coordinated and led for SMACNA, presented an opportunity for SMACNA to share its legislative priorities directly with key elected officials in both the Senate and Assembly.

Willett, Carlucci and the SMACNA team focused awareness on several key 2025 policy issues: Indoor Air Quality, Offsite Prevailing Wage, Temporary Disability Insurance, Modular Construction Certification, Contract "Piggybacking", and Staged Construction Crimes. While many lawmakers were familiar with these topics, our conversations on lobby day helped further sharpen each legislator's understanding of how these proposals would impact contractors on the ground, and what changes may be needed to make any pending legislation better for construction contractors.

Willett, Carlucci and SMACNA are deeply grateful to the following New York State legislators who meet with us amid the busy budget season in Albany: Assemblymembers Brian Maher, Michael Benedetto, Harry Bronson, Michaelle Solages, David Weprin, and John McDonald; and Senators Rob Rolison, James Skoufis, Jeremy Cooney, Robert Jackson, Jessica Ramos, Shelley Mayer, and Pete Harckham. 

From jobsite safety and fraud prevention to improving air quality in schools, SMACNA remains committed to advocating for smart, effective public policy. Willett Public Affairs is proud to support SMACNA’s advocacy efforts by coordinating its annual lobby day, and providing strategic and policy guidance and communications consulting, thereby helping to ensure that SMACNA members’ voices are heard in the policy arena. SMACNA was deeply appreciative of Willett's and Carlucci's advocacy work on their behalf and looks forward to building on the momentum of a successful lobby day and returning to Albany soon!