Newsline

ABC Sends Letter to Senate Supporting Prison Reform Legislation

ABC sent a letter to the U.S. Senate in support of the FIRST STEP Act, which was introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). This bipartisan bill addresses the important issue of prison reform with the goal of lowering recidivism rates by helping incarcerated individuals prepare to reenter their communities. READ MORE

ABC Releases 2018 Merit Shop Scorecard

ABC released its 2018 Merit Shop Scorecard, an annual state ranking based on policies and programs that encourage open competition, education and job growth, and award construction contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation. Florida topped the list this year, vaulting from ninth position in 2017 to first based on the state’s free-enterprise and open-competition approach to the construction sector, increased career and technical education opportunities and job growth rates. READ MORE

October Construction Unemployment Rates Down in 45 States Year Over Year

Estimated October construction unemployment rates fell nationally and in 45 states on a year-over-year basis, according to ABC’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. While the October 2018 not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate fell 0.9 percent from a year ago to 3.6 percent, the construction industry employed 318,000 more workers nationally compared to October 2017, according to BLS statistics. READ MORE

IRS Issues Additional Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Guidance

Over the last month, the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service have issued several proposed rules that provide guidance and implement changes to the tax code under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Signed into law nearly a year ago, the historic tax reform bill included several key provisions that affect the construction industry, and the recently issued proposals provide critical information for construction employers on how to comply with the law. READ MORE

EEO in Apprenticeship Final Rule—Are Sponsors Prepared for 2019 Requirements?

Updates to equal employment opportunity regulations that apply to all sponsors of apprenticeship programs registered either with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship or a state apprenticeship agency are just around the corner. The final rule updating EEO regulations was issued in 2016 by the Obama administration and went into effect on Jan. 18, 2017; however, some of the provisions were delayed for two years until Jan. 18, 2019.  READ MORE

Register for the ABC Technology Conference in Grand Rapids

The ABC Western Michigan Chapter announced its first-ever construction technology and innovation conference, which will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nearly 350 construction industry professionals from cities across the country will gather to be inspired by numerous education sessions, exhibitor displays and live demonstrations—all centered around the advancement of technology. READ MORE

ABC Members Win 2018 Design-Build Awards

The 2018 Design-Build Project award winners were announced at an awards dinner during the Design-Build Conference & Expo, Nov. 7-9 in New Orleans. From university buildings to bridge replacements, this year’s winners are some of the best construction projects in the country. Several ABC members are part of award-winning teams and were honored by DBIA for their accomplishments. READ MORE

Construction Materials Prices Continue to Rise in October

Construction prices rose 0.5 percent in October and are 7.9 percent high than at the same time a year ago, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data conducted by ABC. Prices for nonresidential construction inputs also increased 0.5 percent on a month-over-month basis and are up by more than 8 percent on a year-over-year basis.  READ MORE

Mark Your Calendars: National Apprenticeship Week is Nov. 12-18

National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration that encourages workforce leaders to demonstrate their commitment to apprenticeship and educate those around them. NAW also gives apprenticeship sponsors the opportunity to promote their programs, facilities and apprentices in their respective communities.  READ MORE

New Video: Do You Know About the Construction Legal Rights Foundation?

The Construction Legal Rights Foundation supports efforts to preserve, protect and defend the free enterprise system in the construction industry. Watch ABC’s new video to find out how the foundation offers financial support through legal and issue advocacy campaigns.  READ MORE