Contractors Storming Capitol Hill, Heeding the Call to Get Involved

There’s a lot going in Washington, D.C., that many people are not happy about — from the effects of health care reform to federal funding. Sitting behind your desk complaining about the issues isn’t going to change them, but heading to the Capitol and knocking on the door of your congress person will help the contracting cause. That’s exactly what the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) Washington Summit is all about.

May 17-19, NUCA is arming the Summit’s attendees with arguments for federal funding for infrastructure and info against unfair taxation legislation such as the Federal Estate Tax (Death Tax, which would mean a 55 percent top estate tax in 2011!) and sending them off to the Capitol Building to meet with their congress representatives in an effort to make them aware of the construction industry’s needs.

“Construction has been, by far, the hardest hit industry sector since the beginning of the economic downturn,” said Eben Wyman, Vice President of NUCA Government Relations. “NUCA and the Clean Water Council (CWC), an alliance of 35 national construction organizations that work on a range of legislative initiatives to increase national investment in America’s underground infrastructure, continue to lead the way on Capitol Hill on many legislative initiatives intended to provide funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.”

Washington Summit attendees will be talking about expanding federal infrastructure investment through private activity bond reform, increasing State Revolving Fund appropriations, establishing a National Infrastructure Bank and the creation of a water infrastructure trust fund. Check out the 2010 Washington Summit Web site for more details and talking points.

It’s an amazing event that goes beyond other product-focused construction industry events. It puts the tough issues that contractors deal with on a daily basis in the forefront and puts you, the contractor, in the heart of our democratic process. And you’re backed all the way by the helpful and knowledgable NUCA staff and members. To register, click here.