On an annual basis, the Electrical Contractors Trust of Alameda County provides support to several union electrical industry programs. Each year the Trust participates in the National Construction Alliance in Washington, DC where union subcontractor organizations take their issues to Capitol Hill and meet one-on-one with members of Congress.  Issues such as Davis-Bacon Reform, modernization of the Miller Act, clarifying the IRS definition of "independent contractor" and elimination of estate taxes for small businesses were discussed with local legislative representatives. This year as part of the Contractor Awareness Program, the Trust underwrote the costs of N. Kelly Foote of Collins Electrical Construction to attend the Construction Alliance as our guest.

Another area of political support is for the Electrical Contractors of California Trust that provides support to Ron Barrow, our legislative advocate in Sacramento.

The Trust underwrites the cost for the Annual Building Officials Holiday Social which brings together building officials from surrounding municipalities, contractors and representatives from L.U. 595 in a festive tradition of fellowship. In 1999, the Trust made a commitment to the Electrical Contracting Foundation at the $100,000 Founder level. In October 2001, the Alameda ECT paid off the remaining $50,000 balance and increased their total commitment to the $250,000 Regent level. The ELECTRI' 21 Council, which oversees the Electrical Contracting Foundation, concentrates its efforts on industry research and education to make union contractors more competitive.

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