"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by others." Plato

In the 1990’s, many subcontractors and suppliers felt that the Texas laws were stacked against them. Subcontractors and suppliers had become very concerned about the increasingly lopsided construction contracts they were being asked to sign. Subcontractors and suppliers were struggling with contingent payment clauses and increasingly harsh indemnification clauses being added to their contracts with general contractors. For most, negotiating a fair and balanced contract was very difficult, if not impossible. Sometimes legislation detrimental to subcontractors and suppliers would pass simply for the lack of organized opposition to the legislation.

By 1997, a group of subcontractors had decided that the various subcontractor and supplier associations needed to work more closely for the betterment of their members’ common interests. It was decided that a new entity would be the best way to achieve that mission. With the subcontractor and supplier community united into a single organization to advocate for state legislative issues important to them, we are in a better position to promote positive legislation and defeat bad legislation.

Thus, the Texas Construction Association (TCA) was established in July 1998 to be the voice of Texas construction subcontractors and suppliers throughout the state of Texas. The subcontractor and the supplier have a voice on how our industry is governed.

In the past 10 years, TCA has grown to represent over 2,200 member subcontractor and supplier companies, primarily through TCA’s 17 member associations. It has taken the lead in lobbying for passage of legislation beneficial to Texas subcontractors and suppliers and has worked to defeat legislation harmful to the interests of its members.

TCA has advocated for the passage of legislation concerning prompt payment; banning certain indemnification clauses; lien law reform; surety issues; Retainage; the elimination of reverse auctions for construction ; workers’ compensation reform; setting standards for consolidated insurance programs; and contingent payment clauses.

Out of approximately 6,000 bills that are filed by the Texas Legislature every session, TCA will monitor approximately 300 bills each legislative session that impact the construction industry and it will lobby on many of those that have enough traction to make their way through the legislative process.

When the legislature is not in session, TCA members assist legislative candidates with their election efforts. While working as a volunteer in a candidate’s campaign, a TCA member educates the candidate about TCA’s issues. The Texas Construction Association also has an active Political Action Committee (TCA-PAC), which provides support to candidates seeking legislative and statewide offices. The money raised by the TCA-PAC is distributed to candidates who support TCA issues.

Due to the size of its membership, TCA has been able to establish programs for its member companies that would have been difficult to achieve solely through an individual member association.

TCA offers a workers’ compensation insurance program its members can join that provide an enhanced premium discount and eligibility for for special group dividends.  Coverage in the program is provided by Texas Mutual Insurance Company. 

TCA encourages its members to use the TCA Career Center. TCA members can use the center to post jobs on the TCA website and allow potential employees to apply online. Because the TCA Career Center is specifically targeted toward the construction industry, it allows a "one-stop shop" for all interested employment searches.

In the past decade, TCA has accomplished its goal of being the voice for the common interests of subcontractors and suppliers at the State Capitol. TCA will continue to work toward bettering the construction industry in the decades to come and looks forward to conquering many obstacles along the way.

TCA Purchasing Power through Texas Mutual Insurance Company

The program provides for lower premiums to its subcontractor members through its group purchasing power and premium discounts. The program was developed by subcontractors to benefit subcontractors. In addition to participants being eligible for Texas Mutual Insurance Company's regular dividend, they are also eligible for the Special TCA group dividend. Coverage can be purchased through the members' insurance agent.

 For more information, click here.

TCA Career Center

TCA's Career Center is the Texas Construction Industry's premiere resource for online employment connections. Here, employers and recruiters can access the most qualified talent pool with relevant work experience to fulfill staffing needs.

Visit the Career Center Page

Payroll Card

TCA members are discovering how easy it is to pay employees electronically. The employees get their money quicker and cheaper and can avoid check cashing and wire transfer fees. Employers avoid the hassle of signing checks and delivering them to job sites. Plus employers use the cash card for per diem or company expenses locally or at out of town locations. The card uses the MasterCard system so transactions are handled quickly and safely. Productivity goes up and payroll costs go down!

If you would like a TCA representative to contact you with more information about our Payroll Card, please click below.

Get more information on the payroll card