Political Rumblings | Capitol HillCraig S. Brightup
The thunder-like rumbling of the Nov. 4 elections is growing
closer every day. The roofing industry can cope with the impending
political storm by hiding in the proverbial cellar or by being as
proactive as possible as a lobbying and political force, as
NRCA has done and
will continue to do. NRCA's clout on Capitol Hill and with the
current administration is formidable; however, it must grow even
stronger for the industry to not only survive the storm but come
out ahead.
NRCA's
Washington, D.C., office has developed good relationships with a
number of congressional Democrats in this Congress, but it is party
leadership that determines which bills are brought up for vote. And
with Democrats poised to retain control of Congress and possibly
gain control of the White House, NRCA must address their pro-labor
leanings.
For example, congressional Democrats would like to see a more
aggressive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
and they are unhappy OSHA's ergonomics regulations were repealed.
Also, all leading Democrats in the presidential race plan to
reinstate OSHA's ergonomics regulations if elected to the White
House despite the fact OSHA estimates compliance with the
regulations would cost businesses billions of dollars annually.
Democrats' plan to "improve" safety would countermand the
current administration's successful cooperative approach with
roofing and other industries that has resulted in the lowest levels
of worker injuries and deaths in U.S. history, according to U.S.
Bureau...
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