Masonry Magazine May 2004 Page. 47
News
Local, State and Regional
# Georgia
Reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Labor bill goes after tax dodgers," March 13, 2004:
The state of Georgia may be losing $30 million a year because of employers who misclassify workers to avoid paying income, Social Security and other withholding taxes, state officials say.
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and a bipartisan group of legislators want to fine companies that wrongly characterize workers as "independent contractors," instead of full-time employees, to avoid paying the taxes.
Authorities say the practice is widespread in the construction industry. They say a new law would generate tax money, protect workers and ensure fair competition for public contracts.
Federal officials say the practice lets employers exploit workers by denying them overtime and workers' compensation payments.
Federal law already prevents companies from improperly categorizing workers as "independent contractors" for tax purposes, but the Internal Revenue Service says prosecutions are rare. Proposals in the Georgia Legislature would fine violators the amount of lost tax revenue on a first offense and twice that on a second.
Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) and four colleagues are pushing a bill that would fine companies for skirting tax law by falsely categorizing workers on public projects as "independent contractors." Rep. Ron Borders (D-Valdosta) introduced an identical bill in the state House, also with bipartisan support.
Williams said he introduced the bill because contractors who play by the rules and withhold taxes for full-time employees have a hard time competing with companies that skirt the law and shift the tax burden to their workers.
# Michigan
Reported by the Lansing State Journal, "Perry Career Day offers hands-on experiences," March 23, 2004:
Jessica Fraser placed one brick on top of another Monday and neatly troweled globs of mortar from the sides.
The 13-year-old was one of about 1,400 area students attending Perry middle and high schools' seventh annual Career Day in the high school gymnasium.
"I actually really like it," Jessica, a Stockbridge eighth-grader, says of masonry work. "My dad builds, (and) I'm really strong. I could throw (my friend) in the air by myself."
Chris Fillmore of Lansing-based Davenport Masonry talked positively about his chosen field, which he says pays $25,000 to $32,000 a year.
"Some of them like it a lot," he says of the students experimenting with bricklaying. "Some of them just won't get dirty."
Through the years, the event has connected students to future employers and exposed them to careers they might never have considered.
# Minnesota
The Minnesota Concrete & Masonry Contractors Association elected the following to their board: Mike McGowan, Adolfson & Peterson, President; James Ericson, Kraus-Anderson Construction Minneapolis, President-elect; John Pederson, Amcon Block & Precast, Secretary: and Bill Dentinger III, Bill Dentinger Inc., Treasurer.
# North Carolina
Reported by the Rocky Mount Telegram, "Harris named to state board, March 24, 2004:
Edgecombe County Commissioner Viola Harris says she will go to bat for the county while serving on the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
People on the state board of commissioners serve as their county's advocate before the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government, says Todd McGee, an association spokesman.
The state board meets six times a year in Raleigh to discuss legislation that impacts North Carolina and its counties, McGee says.
Harris, a first-term county commissioner, is one of six women and the only Edgecombe County commissioner with a seat on the state board, McGhee says.
Harris says at the meetings, state board members brainstorm on ways to attract industry to North Carolina.
"One of the major ways to attract jobs to the county is by having a skilled work force," she says.
Harris says she believes vocational classes should be taught in the schools because everyone does not want to go to college.
"Brick masonry and carpentry courses aren't taught in the public schools anymore, and these courses should be taught," she says.
# South Carolina
Reported by the Myrtle Beach Sun News, "Four-year artisans college planned." March 30, 2004:
When Hurricane Hugo's 135 mph winds smashed into Charleston's pastel buildings and 18º century homes, there were not enough craftworkers to repair some of the city's most historic buildings.
News continued on page 46