Legislative Conference Creates Momentum

Words: Matthew AdamsThanks to the momentum generated by the MCAA Fly-In last month, the MCAA’s federal affairs team, The Keelen Group, has been working on the 3% withholding legislation and life-cycle costing in the MilCon appropriations bill.

The 3% withholding bill has been introduced in the House (H.R. 275) by Congressmen Kendrick Meek (FL) and Wally Herger (CA), and already has 52 cosponsors. Thirty-five cosponsors have joined the bill since the MCAA congressional visits occurred. The bill has been introduced in the Senate (S. 292) by Senator Arlen Specter (PA) and has eight cosponsors. The Keelen Group will work with the sponsors of these bills to garner more support and work on a legislative strategy to move the bill. The MCAA will distribute letters of support and direct member contact.

We are working with Senator Mark Pryor (AR) and his staff on possible solutions to ensure that life-cycle costing is considered in military construction projects. The MCAA has pushed this effort in various states across the country, and, with The Keelen Group, will continue to work with Congress on a solution to this issue.

Additionally, our team will continue tracking and analyzing immigration, health care, tax, and pension reform efforts, so that the MCAA is prepared to fight for favorable provisions for the masonry industry. The Fly-In provided critical momentum for the MCAA, and we must remain active to position ourselves for legislative success.
2024 Architectural Awards: Excellence In Masonry Winners

The Masonry Advisory Council held the 2024 Excellence in Masonry Awards on Saturday, October 26th at 167 Green St., Chicago, Illinois. Honoring 80 projects from over the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Area. The Awards program celebrates outstanding ar

NSI and ISFA Announce Silica Exposure Literature Review

NSI and ISFA are proud to present a literature review that summarizes the growing library of studies related to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure. Completed by Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the study covers 34 publications and d

La Maison Franchère: How Masonry Turns Functional Buildings Into Timeless Beauty

La Maison Franchère, or the Franchers’ House, stands as a notable relic of stone architecture in Saint-Mathies, a small Quebec town on the edge of the Richelieu River. Unlike the neighboring homes, this towering, two-and-a-half-story mansion immediately c

MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 5 Recap: Zach Everett

Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Masonry Strong podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Zach Everett, sharing his journey and experiences in the world of safety within the masonry industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital

About: Featured