A September 2018 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that while 85{74309160cd63eca64c36cfd96dc96b337e339df24e8f93d2cabc86a874012891} of workers at large private-sector establishments have access to 401(k) or other retirement plans, only 53{74309160cd63eca64c36cfd96dc96b337e339df24e8f93d2cabc86a874012891} of America’s small businesses offer the same opportunity. Many small businesses cite costs and lack of administrative resources as prohibitive burdens. Overall 38 million private-sector employees do not have access to a retirement plan through their employers.
The National LICA Executive Committee held their annual meeting in Washington D.C. John Peterson, LICA Government Relations, arranged meetings with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Department of Interior. National LICA President, Brad McArdle, was able to schedule a tour of the Border Patrol with his son Clint McArdle, Assistant Chief. Clint has worked at the Border Patrol for 11 years.
David Pacheco, NRCS LICA Liaison, and seven of his colleagues, met with the Executive Committee. The requirements for LICA Members to become Technical Service Providers (TSP) was discussed at length. There was also a discussion on bettering relationships with state conservationists as well as the 2018 Farm Bill.
At the Department of Interior the committee met with Scott Cameron, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget. There the committee brought up environmental impact statements and the lengthy approval process. They voiced their concerns about the various permits required when doing a job and how they can tie up a project for a long time.
The last stop of the day was the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Reagan Building. Clint McArdle met us and gave a detailed presentation about the Border Patrol. He has firsthand experience at the southern and northern borders of the United States.
The Executive Committee met on Saturday morning to get down to LICA business. During the meeting a variety of topics were discussed including the future of The LICA Contractor Magazine and the new publisher Scranton Gillette Communications. There will be two additional issues of the magazine and there are plans to revamp the national website. Scranton Gillette will also be publishing “The History of Farm Drainage” book, which will tell the history of drainage from as early as 200 B.C. to the present. We will research relevant information from every aspect of the industry.
The Residential Septic System Service Program was reviewed, and the different ways that contractors are promoting it. Some contractors are teaming up with septic associations while others are using realtors and home builders.
The overall feeling surrounding the Executive Committee Meeting was positive and all the Regional Vice Presidents and Officers are excited about the direction that LICA is going.
