Help for builders

While Labor Day is recognized as a time to celebrate the American worker, this year's holiday has taken on a more somber tone, especially for those in construction. The unemployment rate for the construction industry is nearly twice the national average, and more than 1.75 million construction workers are out of a job.

Small businesses are the catalyst for creating jobs and economic recovery, yet today's construction contractors face a dizzying array of obstacles, including burdensome and costly federal regulations and mandates along with high tax rates.

Tax rates could shoot up even higher if Congress fails to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax-relief measures, the estate tax and the capital gains tax - leading to one the largest tax increases in U.S. history. In addition, out-of-control federal government spending has ballooned our national debt to $13.3 trillion - more than $40,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States.

In order to break out of this dire situation, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) developed a 2010 Job Creation Proposal that will help stimulate the construction industry and put Americans back to work. The proposal includes a wide-ranging package of recommendations, including providing tax relief to small businesses, such as construction contractors, as well as to families and individuals; increasing access to capital; allowing the entire construction workforce to participate in federally funded projects; and enacting a comprehensive national energy plan.

The nation is facing unprecedented economic challenges, and both large and small construction contractors are eager to take the lead in stimulating economic growth by getting back to building America. Implementation of ABC's recommendations will help jump-start the construction industry during this economic downturn. Let's hope that next Labor Day construction workers will have more reasons to celebrate.

STEVE CONA III

Tampa