Save the date - The NECA Convention will take place in Seattle, WA this year, September 12-15, 2009.

 

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“My brother and I are contractors, not legislators. When it comes to laws and regulations, we want knowledgeable and effective people watching our back and fighting for our business. That’s why having NECA’s Government Affairs representing out industry to Congress is so important.”

- Larry Cogburn, PLC Chairman, Cogburn Brothers, Inc.


Congress to consider health care, climate change before August – President Obama has signaled to Democratic Congressional leaders that he would like to see healthcare legislation passed before the August recess. Earlier this week, the President expressed that reform of the health care system is a necessity and that principles include a requirement for all to be given the opportunity to receive health care; for employers to provide health care to all employees; for reform of the private health care industry; and for public or government-managed plan. The public plan component is likely to be the most controversial aspect of the legislation. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), the respective chairmen of the Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committees, play the lead roles in drafting health care legislation. Speaker Pelosi is requesting that climate change legislation be completed before the July 4 recess.

Lake attends Roskam Fundraiser - Lake attended a fundraising event with Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, a committee that has jurisdiction over the nation’s tax, pension, and health care policies. Roskam serves as an ally of NECA’s, specifically of Jim McGlynn, District 4 PLC Chairman, and NECA’s Chicago and Cook County Chapter. Lake raised prospects for passage of any multiemployer pension relief with the Congressman, and Roskam mentioned that many stakeholder groups had been asking for pension relief but that there were no specific legislative proposals before the Committee. Rep. Roskam spoke to NECA’s Government Affairs Committee and Political

Leadership Council during the Chicago convention.

 

From Left to Right: Tom Halperin, Commercial Light Company; Jim McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company ; Rep. Bill Foster (R-IL); Dan Durkin, Durkin Electric Company; Larry Clennon, Clennon Electric Company

 

 

Lake meets with Freshman Representative Brett Guthrie – Earlier this week, Lake participated in NECA’s first one-on-one meeting with freshman Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY). The meeting was an introduction to NECA and a general discussion of our issues and priorities. During the Memorial Day recess, Rep. Guthrie participated the Green Jobs Open House at the JATC in Louisville.

 

 From Left to right Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ); BIll Mundell, Director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors; Shawn Hutchinson, President IBEW LU 640; Visiting Arizona's JATC Green Open House

 

NECA a member of Rep. Emerson’s steering committee - Lake participated in Rep. Jo Ann Emerson’s (R-MO) steering committee meeting. Emerson maintains a relationship with Doug Martin, St. Louis NECA Chapter Executive, and Danny Miller of Farmington, MO. Emerson maintains a moderate voting record and supports many labor initiatives. She serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is well poised to be a NECA ally for years to come.

Chapter meets with local Maine Legislator – Boston Chapter Executive Manager Glenn Kingsbury and NECA member Tom Driscoll met with Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME). The two discussed NECA’s legislative priorities with the Congressman, including the 3% withholding tax, estate tax reform, renewable energy, and stimulus opportunities, to name just a few. Thanks to both Glenn and Tom!

 

From Left to Right: Glenn Kingsbury, Executive Manager, Boston Chapter NECA; Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME);Tom Driscoll, ES Boulos Company

 

 

Blair attends Estate Tax Brief - On Thursday, Blair attended a briefing on the state of the estate tax and the need for immediate reform. Two studies released by the American Family Business Foundation were discussed which pinpointed the biased effects the tax has on small businesses. Also found through the studies: eliminating the estate tax would cost the federal government almost nothing and could produce as many as 1.5 million jobs. The estate tax is repealed for one year beginning in January 2010, but is to reemerge at the 55% tax rate for estates valued at greater than $1 million. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) is expected to bring forth a proposed bill that would preserve the estate tax at its current rate begininng in 2011: 45% for estates worth $3.5 million or more (individual) or $7 million (couple).

NECA Invited to Present at VOCUS National Government Relations Conference - This week Terry delivered a presentation on managing an effective government relations program for the VOCUS National Users Conference. VOCUS is the grassroots program NECA uses for all of its ECPAC record keeping and constituent "Action Alerts." The VOCUS Conference features association leaders in PAC and government relations and is intended to help attendees find new and more effective means to run their government affairs and grassroots programs. David Plouffe, former Obama campaign manager and strategist, was the keynote speaker for the conference and spoke concerning using online branding strategies to secure more effective legislative and fundraising results.

Attention all Legislative Conference and PLC Summit Attendees - As a follow up to your Congressional office visits, we’ve attached a draft “Thank You” letter/email to send to the offices. Keep in mind that in sending a letter through the mail, there will be at least a two week delay as all Congressional mail is examined for potentially harmful contents. If you do not have the email address of the staff member you met with, but remember his or her name, please contact Government Affairs. We are happy to be of assistance. If you have already sent a “Thank You” to the office, please disregard!

In your “Thank You” be sure to include something specific about the meeting, perhaps a subject you discussed or a bill you asked the Member to co-sponsor. Because these offices have so many constituents coming through, including a memorable discussion topic will remind the staff of the meeting.

If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact any of us.

Tell us what you think! – If you attended the Legislative Conference and PLC Summit, we would appreciate you taking the time to fill out a follow-up survey. Your thoughts are important to us! Access to the survey is available by clicking here. Thank you to all who have already completed the survey.

Lake had the unfortunate experience Wednesday night in trying to attend the hometown Nationals up against the San Francisco Giants and Randy Johnson’s attempt at winning 300 games. Due to a driving rainstorm, the game was postponed until Thursday, but Lake, still in his suit and tie from earlier events, got soaking wet and will likely send his dry-cleaning bill to NECA.