April 20, 2020
The Honorable Tom Wolf
Governor
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Governor Wolf,
On behalf of the 600 plus members representing the exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) industry, I’m imploring you to support Senate Bill 613.
We fully support the efforts being taken across the United States that focus attention on the public’s safety and well-being. The safety of the construction industry has long been a priority of our association and others. During these challenging times, nothing will change that emphasis. Our members are following and instituting additional mitigation measures being recommended by the Center for Disease Control that focus on protecting our workspace and the public. The construction industry simply wants to do what they’ve always done – continue to build a safer and stronger community.
The overall economy needs construction to safely continue throughout this crisis, as it’s equipped to do better than most any other industry. Contractors are accustomed to following critical safety regulations and adapting to new ones along the way. It should be no surprise that the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration includes construction as a business sector that should remain operational through these challenging times.
Founded in 1981, the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) is a national non-profit technical trade association comprised of leading suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, architects, related products manufacturers and suppliers, and other interested parties involved in the exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) industry.
Additionally, since the last downturn in 2008, the construction industry has continued to add essential jobs to the workforce. However, even with these record additions, the skilled labor gap remains large. Forcing construction companies to layoff these valuable workers would only further exacerbate an already fragile situation. Keeping these people working, or returning them to work as quickly and safely as possible is critical in preventing the COVID-19 pandemic into becoming a depression-scale economic disaster.
We greatly appreciate your continued leadership and thank you for your consideration during these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Scott Robinson
EIFS Industry Members Association