US Congressman Tipton Tells ABC Western Colorado Contractors Policy and Regulations are hurting small business
Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Colorado members met with U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton, Wednesday, January 11th to discuss concerns about stifled economy and the effect on the construction industry.
In a series of question and answers, Congressman Tipton addressed the end of Bush era tax cuts, federal government over regulation, banking regulations, and Obama policy. Tipton went on to tell the story of a good and reputable contractor in Pueblo, Colo. who was caught in the snares of the new banking regulations which effectively put him out of business. Members commented the same scenario has played out on the western slope.
To members also concerned about recent supporters of the anti-competitive local preference policies being pushed at the state and local levels, Tipton tells contractors, "such policies or laws amount to a restraint of trade and limit interstate commerce, which is not good for business."
Another major concern noted was union-only Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public construction jobs. PLAs drive up the cost of construction by reducing competition and effectively excluding merit shop contractors and their skilled employees from building projects paid for by their own tax dollars. Merit shop contractors make up 85 percent of the industry. Tipton warned that the Obama administration has been pushing PLAs through by executive order bypassing congress.
Mike Kelleher, Skyline Contracting, Inc. and ABC Western Colorado Chair, underscored the need for contractors to get involved saying, "it used to be ‘Get into politics or get out of business’ but today, the saying is ‘Get into politics or the government will PUT you out of business’." Mr. Kelleher thanked Congressman Tipton for his efforts on behalf of free enterprise and small business.
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About the Western Colorado Chapter
We exclusively represent merit contractors and promoting the merit shop philosophy. Together with our sister chapter in Denver, ABC membership in Colorado is more than 300 general contractor, subcontractor, supplier and associate companies. Nationally, ABC represents more than 23,000 merit shop construction firms and nearly two million employees.
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