Jane Jernigan

 

 

NUCA Summit's Sudden Impact

By Bill Hillman

 

Despite our industry's challenging economic plight, or perhaps because of it, a strong showing of 140 NUCA leaders from across the land gathered on Capitol Hill this week and met face-to-face with lawmakers to thrash out key legislative concerns with one strong voice.  Dozens of NUCA lobbying teams blanketed the Hill on Tuesday, focused squarely on four critical and timely issues where we could have an immediate impact. 
 
At the top of the list, lawmakers were asked to support the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act  (HR 537/S 3262), which would bring water and wastewater projects out from under the federally-mandated state volume caps on Private Activity Bonds.  Passage of the bill will result in as much as $6 billion annually in new private capital for these projects with a modest cost to the government of $214 million over 10 years. NUCA's impact was immediate and impressive, generating several key Senate cosponsorship commitments on the spot.  By Thursday, we learned that congressional leaders plan to add the measure to the tax extenders bill under consideration.  Nice job NUCANS!
 
Our volunteer advocacy teams also requested permanent relief from the federal estate or death tax, passage of legislation to remove the harmful government "3% withholding" provision from the tax code and to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, better know as the "Card Check" bill.
 
On Monday prior to our lobbying day, team members were treated to NUCA's first Federal Issues Conference, sponsored by the Government Relations Committee, which featured 17 expert presenters from federal agencies, Congress, and the private sector.  In four morning sessions, 9 presenters covered water and sewer funding topics and 3 presenters covered gas, communications, and power topics.  The afternoon panel of 5 presenters covered hot topics including OSHA regulation and legislation, immigration reform, 3% withholding repeal, the depreciation bonus, and wetlands legislation.  
 
Click here to see a slide show from the 2010 Washington Summit Federal Issues Conference and A Day on the Hill. Also, mark your calendars for the next Government Relations Committee meeting and mini-conference, Wednesday, September 15, 2010, in Washington, DC.

 

 

Reprinted with permission from the National Utility Contractors Association.  

Dan East, Reynolds Inc.; Kari Biernacki, AUI Inc.; and Mike Smith, Hyrdro Systems traveled to Washington D.C. to speak with NM's members in Congress about the issues mentioned in Bill Hillman's report above. 

 

       Bingaman - The group met with Dan Alpert, Senior Policy Advisor, who stated that he talk to the Senator about this issue. They have since followed -up with us about it and may support.

      

        Udall - Group met with Sabrina De Santiago, Legislative Assistant, who stated that the Senator has not taken issue with this particular subject but has supported loosening caps in the past. Ms. De Santiago stated that they would look at the proposed language but it sounded like something that the Senator may support.

 

        Heinrich - Fully Supports this issue

 

        Teague - Fully Supports this issue

 

         Lujan - There was no scheduled appointment with Lujan but the group spoke briefly to Chris Garcia who stated he would pass along our concerns and get back to us.

 

2. Permanent Reform of the Federal Estate Tax - NUCA supports full repeal or an increase exemption to $5 million pp with maximum rate no higher than 35%.

 

         Bingaman - In 2009, the Senator supported keeping the tax at the 2009 levels and he still supports keeping those levels. The budget deficit is the problem.

 

         Udall - Udall does not support the current levels but did support the 2009 levels in the past. Finance may be trying to work around this with 'gift rules' to possibly deal with larger one-time gifts. Udall will NOT support the $5 million/35% and it is unlikely that they will support $5million/45%.

 

         Heinrich - He voted for reform in December. He also mentioned Thompson Legislation that would exempt farms from Estate Taxes. The group asked if the same extension could be for contractors.

 

         Teague - He supports 2009 levels and is supportive of maintaining family businesses.

 

          Lujan - Chris Garcia will talk to the Congressman and get back to us.

 

 

           Bingaman - They are waiting to see the revised language in the Bill before they will take a position.

 

           Udall - Udall believes in the right to unionize but does not think the Bill will pass as written.

 

            Heinrich - STRONGLY supports EFCA

 

            Teague - They are waiting to see the changes in the bill

 

            Lujan - Chris Garcia stated that Terri Cole of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce had recently stated their opposition to this Bill and it is possible that the Congressman could oppose (waiting on new language).

 

 

             Bingaman - Alpert stated that this legislation was intended to finance 2002 tax cuts, and said that we have to fund the tax cuts some other way.

 

            Udall - Fully Supports Repeal

 

            Hienrich - Will look at this and get back to us.

 

            Teague - Teague Co-Sponsored the Repeal

 

            Lujan - Will get back with us.

 

 

If you would like further information on these issues, please contact the Association office at 505 888 0752. Follow-up letters have been sent to all for further clarification.

 

           

DAN EAST REPRESENTS NUCA AT HOUSE HEARING

NUCA Chairman Dan East testified before the House Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Waste Subcommittee (Chairman Brown, D-Fla.) at a hearing on the federal pipeline safety program, which impacts excavation activity.  During his oral statement, Dan stated that enforcement of damage prevention laws must be balanced for all parties- the responsibilities of those locating and marking facilities are equally important as those performing the excavation activities.  Click here for Dan's full written statement.  Click here to view the complete hearing.