The construction industry will be out in full force at the General Assembly today as they meet with legislators to push their issues.

It's part of the Hard Hat Legislative Conference, an annual trip to Raleigh that members of the Associated Builders and Contractors have been making since 2008.

ABC of the Carolinas represents commercial, industrial and institutional general contractors, specialty contractors, associates and suppliers. It has some 360 members in 876 offices across the state.

The construction industry has been hammered during the economic downturn, hurt by both a tight lending environment and a decline in both residential and commercial property values.

WakeMed, already armed with veteran PR consultants with Democratic ties, has recruited some Republican firepower.

Tom Fetzer, who plans to step down as chairman of the state GOP next month, has taken WakeMed as his first consulting client. "Hopefully there will be others," he said.

Last month, WakeMed launched a PR and political fight with its Chapel Hill rival, the UNC Health Care System. WakeMed officials have accused UNC Health of using its taxpayer support to pay for "predatory" expansion and disrupt the Wake County medical market.

To assist with its UNC Health dispute, WakeMed officials previously hired Gary Pearce and Joyce Fitzpatrick, who are well-connected public relations consultants.

Adding Fetzer gives WakeMed more political muscle on the right. 

Join the North Carolina Conservation Network, its allied organizations and citizens  from across the state on Wednesday, June 23 for Clean Water Lobby Day.