Take an active role in policymaking
Your voice matters. Government policy is an important factor in business operations. From labor relations, to project labor agreements, to taxes, to electrical codes and regulations, the government plays a part.
Even a minor amendment to a law can increase costs, hinder business growth, and put companies at a competitive disadvantage. It is important for IEC Chesapeake members to be active in governmental affairs so that policymakers can hear about the issues that affect electrical, renewable energy, and low voltage contractors directly. Some of our members are appointed to state apprenticeship councils, as well as state and county electrical boards.
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Your Government Affairs Committee
The actions of elected and appointed officials can help or hurt businesses. Being an active part of the legislative process is the key to having your voice heard by lawmakers. Members participate in hearings and visit lawmakers in an effort to let those involved in legislature know how their decisions impact businesses in our industry. Your IEC Governmental Affairs Committee advocates on behalf of members with elected appointed officials in local, state, and federal government. Committee members review legislation, testify, and meet with policymakers throughout the year to support issues of importance. Among key issues are labor, renewable energy, apprenticeship, regulation, and taxation. IEC Chesapeake specifically focuses on policies affecting the following states:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
At the National Level
Below are some of the federal regulations that IEC gets involved with on behalf of its members:
- Employee Free Choice Act
- Union-Only Project Labor Agreements
- Green Jobs Act
- Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Rate Reform
- Association Healthcare Plans
- Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
- Repeal of the Death Tax
- Repeal of the 3% Withholding on Government Contracts
- RESPECT (Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers) Act
At the State Level
IEC Chesapeake actively works with a lobbying firm. Below are primary target issues we tackle at the state level:
- Project Labor Agreements
- Successful grassroots effort to protect daytime trade programs at the Arlington Career Center
- Apprenticeship ratio issues, as well as licensing issues to include reciprocity & CEUs
- Sub-contractor issues (i.e. Mechanics and Lien Laws)
- Representation by IEC members on local electrical boards, state apprenticeship councils, and workforce development policy boards
For more information about our government affairs committee or to become a member, please call us at (301) 621-9545, or complete the form on our Contact Us page.
