TMA’s Small and Mid-size Manufacturers’ Caucus with over 50 bipartisan legislators enters third year of advocating for manufacturing solutions
Small and mid-size manufacturers are the cogs that work together to make Illinois a leading manufacturing state and their concerns are heard and championed by the Technology & Manufacturing Association’s (TMA) Small and Mid-size Manufacturers’ (SaMM) Caucus which has more than 50 state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the state House and Senate.
Since forming the caucus two years ago, TMA has brought Springfield legislators and manufacturers to the same table to discuss the unique issues small and mid-size manufacturers face every day and the solutions that can be made. Current bipartisan co-chairs are state Senators Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) and Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and state Reps. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) and Dave Vella (D-Loves Park).
TMA has forged a program that benefits both legislators and manufacturers. SaMM Caucus members of both parties regularly visit TMA members in their plants and workspaces to learn what manufacturers in their district do and what challenges they face. SaMM Caucus members also address TMA members directly in virtual briefings, review online witness slips filed by TMA members on hot legislative items, and participate in meetings to talk about legislation that could impact manufacturers positively or negatively.
“While large manufacturers already have significant clout, the thousands of small and mid-size manufacturers in our state need their concerns to be heard, and as legislators we want to be at the table to listen. That is exactly what TMA’s Small and Mid-size Manufacturers’ Caucus has allowed to happen,” said SaMM Caucus co-chair state Sen. Jason Plummer. “This group of Republican and Democrat legislators has come together to fight for the hardworking manufacturers that often get overlooked.”
“Wanting a strong small and mid-size manufacturing industry isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue, it’s an issue of making our state stronger and improving wages and opportunities for working families in our state,” said SaMM Caucus co-chair state Rep. Dave Vella. “This bipartisan group of legislators in the SaMM Caucus is collaboratively working toward solutions.”
“There aren’t many issues that Republicans and Democrats in Springfield can see eye-to-eye on, but once they were able to see and focus on the challenges small and mid-size manufacturers face daily, legislators on both sides of the aisle wanted to help find solutions,” said TMA lobbyist David Curtin. “The SaMM Caucus has really helped how state legislators view our small and mid-size manufacturing industry.”
About TMA: Founded in 1925, the Technology and Manufacturing Association is an independent trade organization exclusively focused on assisting small and mid-size manufacturers by providing a diverse portfolio of benefits and services, including: community, information, training, resources, and advocacy. TMA has nearly 1,000 members representing over 35,000 manufacturing employees and more than 25 million square feet of manufacturing plant.