Boston Chapter NECA had a strong presence at the NECA 2011 Legislative Conference & Political Leadership Council Summit held May 10 - 12. The chapter was represented by Larry Hurwitz of Broadway Electrical; Joe Bodio of Lan-Tel Communications; Sue Mailman of Coghlin Electrical Contractors; Ron Koning of State Electric Corp.; Boston Chapter NECA lobbyist Jim Smith of Smith, Ruddock & Hayes; and NECA Boston Chapter assistant executive Manager Matthew Lash.

Key issues critical to the future of the construction industry were the focus of the conference, and legislative meetings on Capitol Hill. The greater Boston contingent met with Massachusetts' legislators, including congressman Stephen Lynch, congressman Ed Markey, congressman Mike Capuano, congressman Bill Keating, senator John Kerry's aide John Phillips, senator Scott Brown's aide Karalyn O'Brien, congressman Jim McGovern, and congressman John Tierney. The group presented NECA's position on numerous issues, including: Preserving the Davis-Bacon Act; Continued Use of Project Labor Agreements; Repealing the 3 Percent Withholding Tax on Government Work; Modifying the Estate Tax, Extending Tax Incentives to Encourage Investment in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development; and Legislation to Crack Down on Dishonest Employers Who Misclassify Workers as Independent Contractors.

To learn details of NECA's position on each of these issues, visit: http://www.bostonneca.org/subpages/GovRelations.html