MCAA's Legislative Conference 2005
By Mason Contractors Association of America
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) will host its 2005 Legislative Conference in our Nation’s Capitol June 26-28. Members should make every effort to attend this important conference.
During this three day session, you will have an opportunity to hear from prominent Senators and Congressmen on tax reform, Social Security privatization, Association Health Plans, tort reform, asbestos victims’ compensation legislation and immigration reform. We have also invited a senior official from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide details about the agency’s regulatory agenda. Members may also be educated by none other than Ken Mehlman, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, about the 2006 elections and what to expect in some of the key races around the country. For those of you who have never been to Washington before, much less met with your Congressman or Senator, you should enjoy going to Capital Hill to visit with your representatives about legislation impacting your business. And, the highlight for some of you may be a tour of the White House which we are attempting to arrange.
The MCAA is gaining prominence in Washington. Our Director of Government Affairs is involved in numerous coalitions and Task Forces to help formulate and lobby for a business-friendly agenda. We want you to be part of shaping the future of our industry. Please join us at the Legislative Conference in June so you can be actively engaged in that process and learn more about what it means to have someone in Washington representing your interests. I am confident you will find it time well spent. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sunday, June 26
Reception - 5:30-7:00 PM, Hotel
Dinner - 7:00 PM, Georgia Brown's (downtown)
Monday, June 27
Breakfast - 8:00 AM
Guest Speaker Invited: Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) and Faith Cristol, Counsel to Senator Talent, to discuss Association Health Plan Legislation
Possible Guest Speaker on OSHA issues: Bruce Swanson, Directorate of Construction
Issue Briefings - 10:00-11:30 AM
- Silica
- Apprenticeship Training Tax Deduction
- Association Health Plan legislation
- Tax Issues/Deductions for Equipment
- OSHA Reform
- Tort Reform
- Reverse Auction Bidding
Lunch - Noon - 1:30 PM
Guest Speaker Invited: Senator John Cornyn (R TX), to discuss class action, tort reform, asbestos legislation and immigration
Breakout Session - 1:30-2:30 PM
Overview of Member visits to Hill
Question and Answer session on issues
Hill Visits - 2:30 - 5:30 PM
Dinner - 7:00 PM
Bobby Van's Steakhouse - Possible Guest Speaker on Tax Reform and Social Security
Tuesday, June 28
Breakfast - 8:00 AM
Guest Speaker Invited: Ken Mehlman, Chairman, Republican National Committee
Hill Visits - 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Don't miss this important opportunity to enrich you life while helping secure your company's future.
Silica
Learn first hand about the Construction Industry Silica Task Force's effort to limit employee exposures to silica on construction sites and to provide OSHA with workable alternatives to their proposed initiatives that could devastate our industry.
Apprenticeship Training Tax Deduction
Come and lobby your Senators and Congressmen to support this vital initiative. Help them understand why it is so important that we have a skilled workforce to keep pace with demand in construction and provide tax relief to those contractors who train.
Association Health Plan Legislation
Hear from knowledgeable individuals as to how AHPs really work and how they can benefit your company.
Tax Issues
Get an overview of some of the tax provisions expected to be considered by Congress including: permanent repeal of the death tax, expensing, and the Bush plan for saving the Social Security system.
OSHA Reform
There are several bills pending in the House of Representatives which would bring much needed reform to OSHA enforcement actions. We want you to be part of the effort to get these bills enacted into law.
Tort Reform
A key member of the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to brief us on legislative efforts to enact tort reforms and prevent the Trial Bar from dipping further into the pockets of the business community.
Reverse Auction Bidding
Learn the pros and cons of this system and have an opportunity to consider changes to reverse auctions which could ultimately benefit your business.
To attend, please download the MCAA's Legislative Conference Registration Form and fax to 847-301-1110 (credit card only) or mail to MCAA, 33 South Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193. We hope to see you there!
About the Author
he Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing mason contractors. The MCAA is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials. Visit www.masoncontractors.org to learn more.