Capitol Hill – Concrete Products

Multiemployer pension backstop plan advances on Capitol Hill

September 28, 2019 Concrete News

From the Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C. … The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act (H.R. 397), with 29 Republicans joining the majority in a 264-169 vote. Advocates argue the measure is needed to protect the pensions of 1.3 million workers in certain multiemployer pension plans (MEPP)—up to half of which cover construction trades participants—and prevent a Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) collapse.

Kentucky, Florida Representatives return masonry check-off bill to Capitol Hill

May 8, 2015 Concrete News

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2) and lead co-sponsor Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) have introduced the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2015 (H.R. 985) into the 114th Congress, its title and language nearly identical to 2013 legislation. The bill would authorize concrete masonry interests to conduct an industry-wide referendum establishing a commodity check-off program; approval would lead to a U.S. Department of Commerce-sanctioned stakeholder board empowered to collect a target amount per concrete masonry unit sold. It contains provisions for the industry to eliminate the program at any time and requires at least half of funds to be reinvested in regions from which they were collected, thereby supporting products most beneficial to a specific geographical area.

Masonry check-off bill resurfaces on Capitol Hill

March 4, 2015 Concrete News

Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff

Late-2014 figures track positively trending construction market

February 26, 2015 Concrete News

Analyzing federal government data on construction spending through November, Associated General Contractors of America confirms that overall 2014 project activity was set to modestly outpace 2013 totals. Figures released early last month coincide with association members’ push for action on a series of federal infrastructure programs, including funding for highway and transit upgrades, plus clean water initiatives.

Capitol Hill and mining veteran heads PCA Government Affairs

February 25, 2015 Concrete News

A. Todd Johnston has joined the Portland Cement Association Washington office as vice president for Government Affairs, arriving with a strong record of experience and accomplishments in state government and industry, and on Capitol Hill. Most recently, he served as staff director for the Subcommittees on Environment and Energy under the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, leading a team whose primary focus was on the technical, scientific and legal underpinnings of major Environmental Protection Agency-proposed regulatory initiatives: greenhouse gas standards for power plants; revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone; and, changes to the scope of regulation falling under the Clean Water Act.

Civil Engineers debunk Highway Trust Fund myths

July 28, 2014 Concrete News

In conjunction with the mid-June launch of a campaign-style website, www.fixthefund.org, and federal construction interests’ Rally for Roads on Capitol Hill, American Society of Civil Engineers’ Becky Moylan offered perspective on past, present and future of the federal transportation program.

NCMA’s promotion-wise Check-Off program climbs Capitol Hill

November 16, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: CP staff; National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.

By Don Marsh

Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL-19) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI-2) have introduced a bill enabling creation of a Concrete Masonry Board to oversee a generic promotion, research and information awareness program on behalf of U.S. block producers and importers. Operating with up to 25 members under Secretary of Commerce authority, the board could support the program—modeled after other industries’ “check-off” initiatives—by assessing producers or importers 1 to 5 cents/concrete masonry unit sold in the United States.