Report of the MCAA Legislative Committee

The last six months since the Annual Meeting, has been both rewarding and disappointing for the committee. The MCAA PAC has raised record funds to contribute to candidates who support our position, while at the same time we were forced to cancel the Legislative Conference due to a lack of attendance. Currently, the committee is developing a list of candidates for consideration of MCAA PAC funds and we anticipate making contributions by the end of September.

The committee is also reviewing options for a Legislative conference next year. We are exploring going it alone again with a renewed effort, joining with the National Concrete Masonry Association who has expressed interest in working with the MCAA in a joint conference, or rejoin the ASA and other subcontractor associations as we have done in the past.

We do believe that participating in a legislative conference and educating our legislators is extremely important. Prior to this past conference, MCAA had an expanding participation in attending a conference. Unfortunately this did not carry over to our own Conference.

In addition to the national MCAA PAC and our Legislative Conference, we believe that it is important to get involved at both the state and local levels. The committee will be developing a handbook to assist our chapters and members become active in both the legislative process and political action. Long term change at the national level begins at home. The handbook will guide our chapters and members in becoming active in the legislative process in their states as well as assisting the MCAA's impact on national issues by educating federal officials through their local offices. The handbook will also guide members' involvement in the political process locally, working on the campaign efforts of state legislators, developing close ties before that official runs for federal office.