April 01, 2008 10:25 AM CDT

Join Us Next Month in D.C.

Impact laws and regulations that come out of Washington

By Tom Daniel

Last month, I wrote about the great show we had at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry. This month, I want to share some insight about another very important MCAA annual event: the Legislative Conference.

Each year the MCAA, along with other trade associations, holds a Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. I already know what you may be thinking, "Washington, D.C., legislation, politics and politicians; great, is this how I want to spend my time?"

These were my thoughts 13 years ago, when Paul Clements, MCAA legislative chairman at the time, asked me to attend my first MCAA legislative conference. I had no idea what to expect. I can tell you, I gained an appreciation for the political process like you would not believe. To put it bluntly, politics are like a giant mud hill. I learned when you push on it, it doesn't move much or fast, but I can assure you if you are not pushing it in the direction you need it to go, someone else is on the other side pushing it in the other way.

Within this pile are issues that directly affect your business, your family and your finances. These issues include legislation related to OSHA and silicosis, employment and immigration, estate taxes and health care.

These are important issues, and you need to be involved in addressing them with us. As a member of MCAA, your participation is vital to our industry. Just think what would happen if you did not involve yourself in the upbringing of your children, letting others take care of it. The same thinking applies with the government. If you do not participate in the process, someone else will do it for you, and you may not like the outcome.

I invite you to attend this year's MCAA Legislative Conference, May 12-14. It will be a rewarding experience that will benefit you and your business. I look forward to seeing you there.

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About the Author

Tom Daniel, owner of GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc. in Lake Elsinore, Calif., has worked in the masonry industry since the 1980s. During that time, he has volunteered countless hours for the masonry industry locally in California and on the national scale. Daniel spent eight years on the MCAA Executive Board, including two years as President from 2008-2010 and was the recipient of the 2011 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award.