Newsline

On Feb. 16, President Trump announced R. Alexander Acosta as his nominee for Secretary of Labor. Acosta is currently the dean of the Florida International University College of Law and previously served as an assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and as a member of the National Labor Relations Board.  His nomination followed Andy Puzder’s withdrawal from the confirmation process.

Construction Executive magazine is excited to announce the launch of its new mobile app for use on Apple, Android and Kindle devices. Readers will now have access to a mobile version of articles from the printed magazine, which covers topics ranging from construction industry news and market developments to business issues and technology trends. 

ABC member M&D Mechanical Contractors, Inc. of Decatur, Ala. placed themselves in an elite group of small businesses by earning a prestigious Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The SHARP program recognizes small businesses that serve as a model for worksite safety and health and have used OSHA's On-site Consultation Program services and operate an exemplary injury and illness prevention program. 

Terry Buschert of Architectural Metals Inc. in Comstock Park, Mich., is using junk metal to help send kids to summer camp. Terry is known as Scrap Man, and he is one of four finalists for the ABC Craft Professional of the Year. ABC presents the Craft Professional of the Year award to a construction craft professional who excels in his or her field while also demonstrating a commitment to safety, training and the merit shop philosophy.

On Feb. 16, the 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP) went into effect; the revised CGP was issued by the EPA on Jan. 11, 2017. The 2017 CGP replaces the 2012 CGP; the permit includes stormwater runoff from construction sites that disturb one or more acres, or sites that are a part of a larger common plan of development. The 2017 CGP will last for five years.

On Feb. 15, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, former CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder, withdrew from consideration of the position. Prior to his withdrawal, Puzder was slated to appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for a hearing on Thursday Feb. 16. 

On Feb. 9,  President Trump signed three executive orders, including: 1) directing the administration’s new Attorney General to develop a strategy to more effectively prosecute people who engage in crimes against law enforcement officers, 2) establishing a task force to reduce crime in communities across the nation, and 3) refocusing federal resources on disrupting transnational criminal organizations.

On July 8, 2016 ABC and a coalition of stakeholders filed a lawsuit against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) final rule on Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, commonly referred to as the “electronic reporting and anti-retaliation final rule.” The complaint filed on July 8, immediately challenged the anti-retaliation provisions of the final rule that limit post-accident drug testing and safety incentive programs. On Feb. 8, the complaint was amended to include the provision

On Feb. 6, Missouri became the 28th Right to Work state in the country and the sixth state to take action since 2012 after Gov. Eric Greitens (R-Mo.) signed ABC-supported legislation, SB 19. ABC’s Heart of America chapter thanked the governor and key members of the legislature for their leadership in allowing workers to freely decide whether to join a labor union, a policy that will benefit all of Missouri.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced that more than 170 of the top construction apprentices and trainees in the country will compete in the 30th annual National Craft Championships, March 1-2 during ABC’s Workforce Week ‘17 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Over the last week, the Trump administration initiated a review of U.S. financial regulations and secured the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. For an overview of administration activity to date and insight into potential legislative and regulatory actions, register for the Feb. 16 webinar “Learn the Latest on the Trump Administration” presented by ABC’s general counsel Littler Mendelson, P.C.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to block implementation of the Obama administration’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order 13673, commonly referred to as “blacklisting,” through the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The bill (H. J. Res. 37) was passed by a vote of 236-187 after ABC sent a letter to the House urging lawmakers to support it. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a similar resolution the week of Feb. 13. 

ABC Member Natalia Luis of M. Luis Construction spoke about her meeting at the White House with President Trump on the difficulties small businesses face every day on Fox News earlier this week. After her meeting, Luis attended the signing of President Trump's executive order on small business regulation.

New study reveals essential intelligence on the risks faced by building owners, general contractors and trade contractors and the benefits achieved from specific risk evaluation and mitigation practices. A key determination of this study is that collaboration between building owners, general contractors and subcontractors can aid in keeping construction project costs under control, result in a timely delivery and enhance the safety environment.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced the finalists for its 2017 Craft Professional of the Year and Craft Instructor of the Year awards. Winners of both awards will be announced March 3 during ABC’s Workforce Week ’17 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act on Jan. 30 by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). The bill, H.R. 743, was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

On Jan. 31, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat left vacant by Justice Antonin Scalia.  Judge Gorsuch currently serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and previously worked as Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. 

In its first two weeks, the Trump administration took a series of significant executive actions in the areas of federal regulation, infrastructure, manufacturing, trade, immigration and health care.

ABC and Dexter + Chaney, a leader in cloud-based construction ERP software and developer of Spectrum® Construction Software, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at providing contractors with the technology tools they need to update their processes as their businesses grow. Dexter + Chaney joins ABC’s other strategic partners, Autodesk, CNA, Fringe Benefit Group, Tradesmen International and United Rentals.

ABC is encouraging all members to call on their Representative to support H.J. Res. 37, introduced by U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). The resolution provides for congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to invalidate the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council and U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) "blacklistin