TEXAS TOPICS

JOE BUTLER, SR.

executlve vlce precldent lleNY SMALL businessmen are lUlwatching Congressman Jim Collins' efforts in opposition to the IRS move against independent contractors.

"There is a pressing need to provide the business community with a clear delineation between independent contractors and employees" Collins noted in a statement before the subcommittee on select revenue measures. "Many companies utilize independent contractors almost exclusively. Independent contractors are treated differently than employees for tax purposes. Because independent contractors are self-employed, they must pay self-employment taxes to the Social Security system, make estimated tax payments on a quarterly basis, and are generally exempt from wage withholding rules. Therefore, a clear independent contractor definition is essential to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from arbitrarily reclassifying these workers, much to the disadvantage of their companies."

The Cargo Theft Squad ofthe Houston Police Department and the Retail Lumber and Building Material Dealers executlve vlce precldent

Association of Houston havedeveloped a special security program including periodic helicopter night inspections for association members because of the large number of lumberyard burglaries. Use of vehicle and building rooftop numbers to aid the helicopter division is being considered.

To assist dealers in helping employees become capable estimators, the associa- tion is sponsornga2Vz day workshop on estimating and construction techniques, Oct.4-6.

The workshop will consist of Z) hours of intensive instruction and discussion, participation in blueprint reading, construction details, quantity estimating and actual material take-offs. Taking a house from the foundation and exterior shell through the finished millwork, the class will cover estimating and construction procedures related to estimating materials.

Instructor for the class which will be held at the Ramada Inn, San Antonio, will be Dr. Bill Stewart of Texas A & M University. He is theauthor of the L.A.T. Guide to Material Estimating book which will be used as the basic t€xt for the workshop. Class size will be limited to 25.

Dealers Accocladon (5{r) 9't7{3r7