NUCA NJ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | September 17, 2026 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
NUCA Takes PAB Advocacy to Capitol Hill
NUCA National Chief Advocacy Officer Zack Perconti, Summit Strategies partner and NUCA lobbyist Jim Kolb, and NUCA NJ Executive Director and nationwide Executive Director Liaison to the Government Affairs program Evan Piscitelli made a special lobbying trip to Capitol Hill with one primary objective: getting more work on the street for utility contractors in New Jersey and across the country.
The team met with key decision-makers in both the House and Senate to make the case for expanding the tools available to fund critical utility infrastructure. One of the most important tools is private activity bonds (PABs), which can bring private capital into the public construction space and help turn projects that are sitting on the shelf into projects that actually get built.
The reality is that Congress is trying to address a trillion-dollar infrastructure problem with a billion-dollar answer. And when flat federal funding is presented as a victory, the reality is very different: once labor and material costs increase each year, flat funding means the industry is effectively losing ground every year.
Lifting the federal cap on PABs would give New Jersey, where publicly bid utility projects already rely almost entirely on federal funding, another way to attract private investment that cannot otherwise be accessed without Congressional action. More investment means more projects, and more projects mean more work for NUCA members.
Timing was particularly important, with several major pieces of legislation, including the Highway Bill, actively being developed and amended. The team's first ask was to include language expanding PAB authority in one of these major legislative vehicles. If that opportunity does not materialize, the second ask is to pursue a standalone bipartisan PAB bill early next year, led by members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.
NUCA will continue these conversations and build support for expanding PABs as Congress moves toward the midterm elections. The goal is simple: find new ways to put more money into infrastructure and more utility construction work on the street.
INAUGURAL DOZER DAY!
Big Machines. Big Fun. Dozer Day®!
NUCA NJ’s inaugural Dozer Day® is coming up next month, and tickets are now available! Join us for a fun-filled family event featuring big equipment, hands-on experiences, and activities for kids of all ages.
Dozer Day® gives children the unique opportunity to climb into the cab and operate real heavy construction equipment – including dozers, excavators, and backhoes—with professional operators guiding them. It’s a fun, hands-on way for kids to experience the construction industry firsthand.
There’s plenty more to enjoy throughout the day, including food trucks, balloon artists, face painting, games, simulators, exhibits, and other activities for kids of all ages.
Dozer Day® is also an important part of our workforce development initiative, giving children and families an opportunity to learn more about construction and the many career opportunities available in the skilled trades.
Tickets Are Now Available!
Bring the family and join us on Saturday, October 24, for NUCA NJ’s first Dozer Day®! Come climb aboard, get behind the controls, and experience a day of construction fun you won’t want to miss.
Purchase Tickets here: https://newjersey.dozerday.org
NUCA NATIONAL HAPPENINGS
Make Plans for NUCA's 2027 National Convention!
Member Only! Summer Special Registration Rates: August 11 - September 30
Get ready for sunshine, networking, and an unforgettable convention experience in Miramar Beach, Florida! Join your NUCA colleagues for the 2027 National Convention, March 9-12, 2027, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
Now is the time to reserve your spot and take advantage of the members-only summer special rate, available through September 30! Whether you're looking to connect with fellow utility contractors, gain valuable industry insights, or simply enjoy some time on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, this is an event you won't want to miss.
Register today and reserve your room while the special rate is available.
NUCA National Convention Registration
Hotel Reservation - Sandestin Beach, Golf, Resort and Spa
See you in Florida!
NUCA MEMBER BENEFITS
New Member Benefit for NUCA NJ Members
We’re excited to announce a new benefit for NUCA NJ members through MX Build, a construction management platform designed to help streamline projects from contract to payment.
Members can receive implementation and onboarding waived—up to a $5,000 value, along with 30 days of hands-on implementation support at no cost and 20% off standard subscription pricing for 24 months.
It’s another valuable resource available exclusively to our members!
For more details, click the video here.
