CHANTILLY, Va. - In May, more than 275 Campaign for Quality Construction (CQC) contractors met with legislators and their staffs from 27 states during 190 scheduled meetings. Topics on the CQC agenda included relief for multiemployer pension law reform, permanent repeal of the estate tax, rapid write-off of leasehold improvements, and Internet reverse auctions. The conference was an opportunity to begin an education process for lawmakers on how the union contractor works and remains competitive in the private and public sectors while not burdening the government with funding requests for training and healthcare.

While kicking off the Campaign for Quality Construction 2005 National Issues Conference, Rep. Nancy Johnson advised that, "It is very important to educate staffers as to the details of your concerns," regarding health care law and leasehold depreciation.

She challenged the 275 union contractors in attendance saying, "If you aren't educating your representatives, don't blame them for being ignorant. On the leasehold improvement depreciation issue, you have to let us know what changes to the tax codes are needed."