MCAA Presses Congress for More Job Stimulus

As the first session of the 111th Congress winds down, the debate rages on over what to do with the unspent or paid-back TARP funds. The construction industry, with unemployment over 19%, is solidly behind bringing another round of job stimulus to the beleaguered employment ranks and markets. MCAA and the Rebuilding America Coalition are working with the Commercial Building Tax Deduction Coalition to raise the 2005 Energy Policy Act tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building retrofits and new construction to $3.00 per square foot, up from $1.80, to spur energy efficiency, building inventory performance and high-tech job creation. Residential incentives are in that proposal too (H.R. 4226, Expanding Building Efficiency Incentives Act of 2009; S. 1637 in the Senate). Green school construction and energy retrofits are back on the table, a reprise of efforts to include this important sector of the nation's public infrastructure in the jobs measure, adding energy security and student achievements to the jobs gain. We also continue to press for repeal of the 3% withholding tax looming for public contracts in 2012. The administrative savings gained in repeal can be better invested in projects that lead to private sector construction jobs.

Information Request: As we gear up to lobby for the second stimulus bill, MCAA and our Rebuilding America Coalition partners are preparing a survey of economic stimulus projects that have spurred activity in our markets. MCAA members or local affiliates, please send a brief digest of any examples of stimulus-funded projects that have brought substantial work in your area to jmcnerney@mcaa.org.