NECA’s Government Affairs team spent the majority of 2020 communicating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the electrical construction industry to Members of Congress and ensuring that coronavirus response legislation would grant our members the resources necessary to help their businesses remain viable while not unnecessarily burdening them during these trying times. Below is a comprehensive list of 2020 NECA Government Affairs accomplishments.
NECA'S TOP THREE WINS IN 2020:
Construction as Essential Work
COVID-19 Relief Bills
NDAA
Below is a comprehensive list of 2020 NECA Government Affairs accomplishments.
CONSTRUCTION AS ESSENTIAL WORK
One of the first hurdles NECA had to clear as states were shutting down due to the pandemic was advocating that construction would be classified as essential work to ensure our contractors could continue to work in a safe manner. NECA was able to secure guidance from the Department of Homeland Security that allowed construction work to continue across a wide variety of critical infrastructure sectors, enabling many of our contractors to continue jobs and ultimately sustain their business.
BIPARTISAN-BICAMERAL OMNIBUS & COVID RELIEF PACKAGE
This NECA-supported package contains months of work and input from Members of Congress and stakeholders, including NECA. Included in the package are a number of NECA priorities, including clarification of tax treatment of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, an extension of the paid sick and family leave tax credit, “second draw” PPP loans, and reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
Clarification of Tax Treatment of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans: In a major win for NECA, the bill specifies that forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans will not be included in taxable income. It also clarifies that deductions are allowed for expenses paid with proceeds of a forgiven PPP loan, effective as of the date of enactment of the CARES Act and applicable to subsequent PPP loans. This same tax treatment also applies to Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants and certain loans and loan repayment assistance.
Extension of Paid Sick and Family Leave Tax Credit: Expands the employer tax credit that was established in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, through March 21, 2021.
Provides a second draw Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loan: Second draw PPP loans available for the hardest-hit small businesses and nonprofits with 300 or fewer employees that can demonstrate a loss of 25% of gross receipts in any quarter during 2020 when compared to the same quarter in 2019.
ExpandsPaycheck Protection Program (PPP): Eligibility for 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including tourism promotion organizations and local chambers of commerce.
Simplifies Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness: Streamlines the forgiveness process for loans of $150,000 and less.
IncorporatedLegislation
The following two bills were included in the final COVID relief package of 2020. These two policy initiatives were long advocated by NECA during the 116th Congress.
Water Resources Development Act of 2020:Authorizes over $10 billion dollars in critically important water infrastructure projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Energy Act of 2020: Funds over $35 billion in energy projects such as energy efficiency, renewables, nuclear, carbon capture, direct air capture, and grid modernization.
FY 2020 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Authorized funding for a wide array of programs related to the nation’s defense. The legislation included multiple wins for NECA contractors, including:
Small Business Concerns must be paid by the federal government within 15 days of receipt of a proper invoice
Small Business Concerns may now use joint ventures with other companies as work history for job bids requesting past performance information
Allows those utilizing 8(a) programs to extend their status for up to one year due to the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic.
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law in March 2020 and NECA worked with Members of Congress to limit the challenges on businesses. NECA secured the December 31, 2020, sunset date on the required paid emergency and sick leave and ensured employers would receive a credit for the paid leave provided while ensuring caps on the amount of paid leave to be provided.
THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and the main policies in this legislation pertained to aid for small businesses who keep their employees on payroll. NECA worked to achieve clarifications on PPP loan deadlines and guidance on forgiveness criteria for these loans.
Congratulations to the 55 NECA Chapters who reached their 2020 NECAPAC goals!
2020 NECAPAC District Totals
Congratulations to District 6 for raising over $200,000 for NECAPAC in 2020, more than any other NECA District!
Long Island Chapter Wins 2020 Chairman’s Challenge
Congratulations to NECA’s Long Island Chapter for winning the 2020 Chairman’s Challenge! The Long Island Chapter held three in-district meetings with Members of Congress and sent 52 letters to their legislators on NECA’s priority issues.
In 2020, NECA contractors across the country hosted 39 in-district or online meetings and sent 1,344 letters to legislators. Thank you all for your involvement that helped advance NECA’s legislative agenda in 2020, and we look forward to even more constituent engagement in 2021.
Get to know your Government Affairs Lobbyists!
James Farrell, Executive Director of NECA Government Affairs, handles a wide array of issues including infrastructure, taxes, energy and commerce, federal appropriations, federal budget, and financial services.
Prior to joining NECA, James served as a staffer for Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), as well as a consultant and PAC fundraiser for serval senior members of Congress, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) Chair of the House Republican Conference.
A native of Pennsylvania, James earned his bachelor’s degree in Politics from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Trevor Falk, Deputy Executive Director of NECA Government Affairs, handles issues pertaining to healthcare, government procurement, multiemployer pensions, labor and the workforce. He actively works with lawmakers, administration officials, and government representatives to establish lasting relationships and better educate their understanding of the issues facing electrical contractors.
Prior to his work with NECA, Trevor spent time as a congressional fundraiser with the Washington, D.C. based Angerholzer Broz Consulting; where he successfully structured and implemented fundraising campaigns for multiple members of Congress and their leadership PACs. His work with NECA remains informed by his experience as a research analyst at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, and in the estimating department of a signatory mechanical contractor in Northern Virginia.
Falk holds a master’s degree from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America.
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