ECPZone.com |

As with any election you have those who are happy with the results, those who are unhappy with the results and those who are just ho-hum. This past election is no different. What I found interesting was the reaction of the two larger electrical contractor associations, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC). I'll let each association speak for itself with no comment of my own.

NECA's director of legislative affairs, Terry Hatch, wrote about the historic context of the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. He noted two relevant tax policies the Obama administration is expected to tackle: the estate tax and the FICA taxable income gap. Hatch notes that the new administration will more than likely increase the taxable FICA income cap though enacting a higher threshold on the Unified Credit, while he expects the Obama administration to reduce the overall estate tax rate for an individual or couple.

He wrote that NECA will work with the new administration on initiatives important to NECA contractors, including comprehensive energy reform legislation that would invest in green jobs and clean, renewable technologies. He believes the federal outlay for green policies will mean more Davis-Bacon provisions for federal contracts. He also says the Obama administration also may have immigration policies that reflect the "interests of our contractors." Those interests include border security, holding businesses liable who violate immigration laws and eliminating subcontractor liability when working with other subcontractors that employ illegal immigrants.

The IEC, on the other hand, has a little dimmer view of the incoming administration and the solidly Democratic Congress. IEC is against the Employee Choice Act, which in part does away with hidden ballots on whether workers want to unionize or not. IEC also claims that if the Employee Choice Act succeeds passing in Congress, it will enable federal bureaucrats to impose labor standards on your business for two years through a contract arbitration process that is binding and non-negotiable.

Other issues IEC is concerned about include an Executive Order that mandates project labor agreements for all federal contracts, legislation that will mandate seven days of paid sick leave while requiring businesses with 15 or more employees to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and continued expansion of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates on federal contracts.

IEC says this is not about Republicans or Democrats, but about who will control your business: you or Big Government. They will fight to protect electrical contractors and entrepreneurs.

Certainly both associations will look out for their members as best as they can or as best as they see fit. I just found it interesting so see the different takes by the two associations.