Make a Difference by Participating in This Year’s Legislative Season

Tis the Season. . . .No not that season where we wish for good things and celebrate. It’s legislative season in most states. As the year gets rolling, many legislatures are in session or getting ready to go into session, so we all need to be ready to respond on a moment’s notice to preserve, protect, and promote our product’s and our industry’s value. Many of you already are involved and are receiving frequent updates from our great legislative team, but it takes many more to get the job done. While our team in DC does an excellent job for us, they cannot be in every state every day, like we are. More importantly, they are not local and don’t have the contacts or the standing in the communities that we all have as individuals and citizens of our own states. If you,have not visited your state legislature, assembly–or whatever name they go by, be assured IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK. It is more important than you may realize. I have been told many times by legislators at local, state, and federal levels that a visit or a message from a citizen and voter in their area counts much more than anything a lobbyist can do. It’s time to make your voice heard and help educate them about our very small, very quiet industry that has such a huge positive impact in all of our communities. Use the NASBP Grassroots Action center tool to look up your legislators, by clicking here.

Lastly, I just returned from another great session of NASBP’s world renowned surety school and was very impressed by the young talent entering this great business. Congratulations to all the graduates and a huge thank you to Chairman Bob Shaw, Vice Chair Dedi Belis, and the phenomenal volunteer instructors who make this happen, as well as, our staff, Liz Wise and Charnita Lee, who do their best to keep the rowdy instructor crew moving in the right direction.

In closing, I hope everyone’s 2015 is off to a great start, and as always, I thank you for allowing me to serve as President this year. (Hang on, you are almost rid of me.)

Thomas M. Padilla is Senior Vice President of HUB International Insurance Services, Albuquerque, NM. He can be reached at Tom.Padilla@hubinternational.com.