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NRCA president testifies before House committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: DUANE MUSSER
MARCH 2008	(202) 546-7584
	dmusser@nrca.net
NRCA PRESIDENT TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE Washington, D.C.—National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) President Robert P. Daly Jr., president of Kaw Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Kansas City, Kan., testified before the House Committee on Small Business regarding the growing paperwork burden imposed on small businesses by government regulation. Daly told members of Congress that "the paperwork burden on small businesses today is truly alarming. Bringing government paperwork requirements under control is vital to sustaining a vibrant economy that provides good jobs for American workers. NRCA strongly urges Congress to take concrete steps to address this growing problem, especially at this time of economic uncertainty." In his testimony, Daly related personal experiences as a small-business owner with burdensome paperwork. "Roofing contractors and other small businesses are drowning in a rising flood of government paperwork. Congress must develop mechanisms that enable government agencies to constantly be held accountable for making the implementation of our nation's laws as efficient and effective as possible," Daly said. Daly cited a study conducted for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that estimates the nationwide annual regulatory burden at an astounding $1.1 trillion. He notes "this burden is felt most acutely by the heart and soul of our economy—small businesses." On behalf of NRCA, Daly recommended specific actions Congress can take to address the growing paperwork burden. "NRCA urges Congress to consider the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 456), which will direct federal agency administrators to not impose civil fines for first-time paperwork violations in certain circumstances," Daly explained. "It gives a small-business owner acting in good faith the leeway to correct a first-time mistake. This is a common-sense solution to reducing the paperwork burden on small businesses while still providing for the safety and health of our workers and communities." Daly also recommended Congress provide increased funding for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). "OIRA has had some success over the years in reducing or streamlining federal paperwork requirements in its role as gatekeeper for new federal regulations," he noted. "However, the office has been greatly constrained in recent years by declining budgets. If Congress is truly committed to reducing the paperwork burden on small business, it will provide a greater level of funding to OIRA so this office can be reinvigorated in its efforts to address this problem." Daly commended House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velàzquez (D-N.Y.) and ranking member Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) for holding the hearing and allowing NRCA the opportunity to provide input on this important issue. "We look forward to working with members of the committee and other members of Congress to develop effective solutions and have them enacted into law," Daly concluded. Click here to read Daly's statement. (PDF) Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the construction industry's oldest trade associations and the voice of professional roofing contractors worldwide. The association has more than 4,000 members from all 50 states and 54 countries and is affiliated with 105 local, state, regional and international roofing contractor associations. ###