Slippery Rock Gazette

Legislative outreach is a vital component of every industry. When MIA president Dan Rea took office in January, he highlighted the need for MIA and other stone industry associations to foster relationships with government officials. This year alone MIA has interacted with staff members of several U.S. Congressional offices, as well as U.S. federal agencies such as OSHA, EPA, MSHA, NIOSH, DOL, and others. However, MIA has much work to do if it is to be successful in influencing decision makers at both the elected and agency levels.

To get started, the MIA board of directors has authorized the following steps:

Silica Standards Issue:

MIA renewed its involvement / membership with the Silica Coalition, which has been carrying the bulk of the responsibility in Washington DC, lobbying on behalf of the silica issue. To learn more go to:  www.marble-institute.com/silica.

Overregulation:

MIA joined the growing list of associations that signed their names to U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) bipartisan RESTORE Resolution, which seeks to free Americans from overregulation. RESTORE would establish a Joint Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of rules enacted by federal agencies and analyze the feasibility and options for creating a rules review process in Congress.

Legislative Committee:

MIA will create a legislative committee to oversee and provide input about legislative initiatives.

Legislative Communication:

MIA membership database was upgraded for better legislative polling and communication.

Industry Fact Sheet:

MIA will create a stone industry data sheet to educate government officials about the industry.

Stone Industry Position Statements:

MIA will create a list of position statements on subjects of importance to the industry.

Rea remarked, “The development of an industry fact sheet, short descriptions, and position statements will help MIA members tell the story of who the natural stone industry is and what we care about.” He added that future efforts to communicate clearly with legislative leaders will be easier because of the easy-to-use fact sheets being produced for distribution.

Some Quick Facts about the Stone Industry:

What types of companies make up the stone industry and MIA membership?

The entire supply chain—stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers comprise the industry as a whole.

Number of Companies:

9,689

Number of Employees:

85,966

Consumption of Imported Stone:

$2.2 billion

Consumption of Domestically Produced Stone:

$451 million

Domestically Produced Stone Exported for Consumption:

$61 million

Legislative Position Statements:

Excessive Regulation: MIA supports congressional efforts to hold federal regulatory agencies accountable for their promulgation of new rules and regulations and the recent trend of issuing guidance or policy letters in order to circumvent the public comment and cost-benefit analysis process that allows for industry input.

Tax reform must benefit small and family owned businesses, not only corporations: The majority of MIA members are organized as pass-through entities, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLC, or S Corporations, which pay tax on business income at the individual tax rate. The term “pass-through” comes from the way the income earned by the business “passes through” to the owner. While most discussions on tax reform are about lowering the corporate tax rate, tax reform must also include lowering the individual tax rate to support pass-through business, like members of MIA.

Reforming U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA):

MIA values its partnership and collaboration with MSHA. However, MIA does have concerns about the “one-size-fits-all” approach of mining regulations by MSHA. The distinction between open pit mining and underground mining is an important one. The vast majority of MIA’s quarry members utilize open pit to quarry their product. MIA encourages Congress to update mining regulations to allow regulators the flexibility to distinguish between these two very different types of operations.

Percentage depletion: 

MIA urges Congress to retain the present-law percentage depletion tax deduction as their committee considers tax reform. Keeping the percentage depletion tax deduction at its current levels is a critical component to the competitiveness of American natural resources industries.

To learn more about these legislative outreach efforts, go online to www.marble-institute.com/legislative. If you have an upcoming appointment with a member of Congress, don’t hesitate to download the industry fact sheet and position statements to help them understand more about the stone industry.