April 2012: President's Message

Words: Dan Kamys

April 2012

President's Message Join Us in D.C. Next Month

John SmithJohn Smith President Mason Contractors Association of America

Last month, I shared with you my vision for the MCAA for the next two years. This month, I would like to invite you to join us in Washington, D.C., for our Legislative Conference, May 8 and 9, 2012. It is always a very beneficial trip that results in extensive exchanges of information.

Each year, we gather with other trade associates and meet with key members of our legislative branch of Washington. Right now, some of you are saying it is broken, and one person cannot help. Until you attend these sessions, you have no idea how much of an impact you actually can make on discussions that affect our businesses. There are other people there trying to make decisions against our businesses interests. We must be involved to have our voices heard and, to do this, we need your help.

These sessions in Washington directly affect your business, your family and your finances. These sessions include legislation related to OSHA, employment, immigration, estate taxes, and health care. Our personal contact with key members in Washington will, in fact, help shape our future.

These issues are very important, and, as a group, we can make a difference. If we do not participate in the process, someone else will do it for us, and the outcome could be disastrous. With the upcoming election, there are many more issues to discuss with our Congressmen. The Keelen Group will make all the appointments and assist us through this process. Matt Keelen and his team are there in the trenches for us, and we greatly appreciate their help.

We also will be energizing each region with a request to build up our PAC fund. With our PAC fund, we support our friends in Washington and make a financial commitment to support people who support our industry. Without our strong voice in Washington, decisions that directly affect our everyday operations will be made blindly, with potentially devastating results. We challenge everyone to strongly support our PAC fund.

I urge you to attend this year’s MCAA Legislative Conference on May 8 and 9, and make a difference in your government. It will be a rewarding experience that will benefit you and your business for many years to come. I look forward to seeing you there.

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