Dear ASA Members,
November is always a time of gratitude, and I want each of you to know how grateful I am for the hard work and dedication that all of our ASA members put in every day to strengthen this industry. In the midst of a year like no other, you have stepped up to every challenge and met it head on. I could not be prouder of the work you all have done in 2020. As we get closer to 2021, I have never been more excited for the future.
ASA’s leadership is constantly working to fight for the needs of the subcontracting industry. Our Chief Operating Officer, Richard Bright, recently sent a letter to Secretary Scalia at the Department of Labor regarding the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the interpretation of independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). With this letter, we hope that the Department of Labor can work towards a clearer definition of an independent contractor, which in turn will influence how the payment taxes are handled on a job site. These efforts hope to level the playing field for many ASA members who are constantly striving to stay competitive. ASA leadership is here to fight for you!
October was an exciting month at the ASA with the kick-off of Chapter Engagement Month, featuring in-person and virtual Chapter visits by Government Relations Director Mike Oscar. Throughout the month, Mike met virtually with the members of ASA of North Texas and New Jersey and in-person with members of the ASA of Idaho, Southwest Florida, and Greater Baton Rouge. In-person meetings were held following all COVID-19 regulations at the state and local level.
These Chapter visits included an update on ASA’s federal legislative and regulatory priorities along with an update on the political landscape heading into the November General Election. Chapter Engagement Month was highlighted each week in ASA Today, featuring each Chapter’s state legislative priorities and membership initiatives and offered important insight on the work being accomplished by some of ASA’s larger Chapters, including North Texas, while also highlighting the impressive building blocks in place to grow our newer Chapters including ASA of Southwest Florida and Idaho.
Chapter Engagement Month also featured a visit from two Florida State House candidates during the ASA of Southwest Florida meeting along with a visit from Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) at the ASA of Greater Baton Rouge luncheon. Rep. Graves, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, discussed many important issues pending in Congress that impact construction subcontractors, and listened to our members outline ASA’s legislative priorities. The ASA extends thanks to the following Executive Directors who organized their Chapter meetings in conjunction with Chapter Engagement Month: Beverly Reynal of ASA of North Texas, Jenae Sexton of ASA of Idaho, Buddy Freund of ASA of New Jersey, LaRae Davenport of ASA of Southwest Florida, and Angie Weidel of ASA of Greater Baton Rouge.
Once again, I want to thank you all for the continued hard work for our industry. Our future has never been brighter, and I am excited to see where it takes us.
God Bless,
Brian Cooper
ASA President 2020-2021
