Complete Story
 

04/16/2021

Meeting with Congressman Brad Schneider - April 16, 2021

Highlights of meeting with 10th Congressional District Congressman, Brad Schneider.

Members of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago’s / Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA’s Legislative Committee, NECA Government Affairs Staff, Northeastern Illinois Chapter (NEIL), NECA member, Tom Morton, LLD Electric Company, and at-large members of both Chapters met with Congressman Brad Schneider via a Zoom Call on Friday, April 16, 2021. 

Various contractor and small business issues were discussed.  Topics discussed included a number of issues NECA is pursuing / monitoring on behalf of the NECA membership, which include the following:

Comprehensive Infrastructure Investment - A robust investment in our nation’s infrastructure is essential to keeping NECA’s electrical contractors in business, their employees working, rebuilding our nation, and ensuring a sound economy.

Workforce Development - NECA contractors know that their employees are a key to their success. That is NECA contractors invest in the nation’s most comprehensive training programs, highly compensate their skilled workforce, and provide quality health care and retirement benefits. To ensure the ability to maintain this high standard and further their employees, reform should solidify these practices and encourage others to do so.

COVID-19 Relief - As the nation continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic the electrical construction industry, like many others, is in need of relief in these challenging times.  NECA encourage Congress to continue its efforts in providing much needed support for our industry in a multitude of ways. 

Additional topics discussed during the call, include:

  • Current and Future Levels of Construction Projects - growth / non-growth of industry
  • National Apprenticeship Act enactment
  • Supreme Court Future
  • American Jobs Plan progression

The following issues are a priority with NECA’s Government Affairs area:

Federal Tax Reform - High tax rates and a complex tax code hampers our nation’s competitive standing and hinders our economic growth. The time and money NECA contractors spend to comply with our existing and complex tax code could be—and should be—spent on growing their businesses and creating jobs.

Contracting Reform - Small businesses are the foundation of the economy. With nearly 80% of NECA’s membership consisting of small businesses, the need to prevent government waste, reform contracting methods, and simplify the government procurement process remains a top priority. Congress must realize that many solutions to the problems facing NECA contractors come at no cost to the federal government and provide bipartisan wins in an all too often polarized world.

Multiemployer Pension Reform  - NECA contractors value and support the multiemployer pension system. It is the bedrock of the signatory electrical construction industry. In order to modernize and continuously improve the benefits our contractors offer, NECA Government Affairs continues to work towards strengthening this system.

We thank the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA and the NECA Government Affairs Staff for coordinating the call.  We also thank our members who were able to participate with the session.  We also thank the membership for its continued support with the many legislative efforts / activities held throughout the year.   We also thank those who have been able to participate with the NECAPAC and encourage all to participate, as well.

Portions of this article were excerpted from a NECA Government Affairs document, “NECA’s Top Issues for the 117th Congress.”

Congressman Brad Schneider Meeting April 16 2021

Pictured above is Congressman Brad Schneider, 10 Congressional District.

Printer-Friendly Version