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ACTION ALERT: Tell Your Senator To Support Resolution Repealing Burdensome WOTUS Rule

On March 29, the U.S. Senate will vote on S. J. Res 7, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2023 revised Waters of the United States regulation READ MORE
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ABC Supports DOT’s Proposal to Modernize its Implementing Procedures for NEPA

On Dec. 23, ABC and several other organizations submitted comments in support of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposed revisions to its regulations implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Protection Act. These revisions will reflect recent legislation, modernize the environmental review process, improve DOT’s NEPA review efficiency and provide enhanced customer service to stakeholders while ensuring meaningful public involvement.

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U.S. DOL Issues Guidance on Expiration of COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave

On Dec. 31, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued additional guidance to address whether workers who did not use their leave entitlement under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in 2020 may use such leave after Dec. 31, 2020. The FFCRA’s paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave requirements expired on Dec. 31. 

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Reminder: The Deadline for Electronically Reporting OSHA Form 300A Data Is March 2

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration will begin collecting calendar year 2020 Form 300A data on Jan. 2. Establishments such as those in the construction and transportation industry must submit the Form 300A data electronically by March 2, 2021.

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Twenty-Nine Members Earn AQC Credential This Month

The Accredited Quality Contractor program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, craft and management education, talent management and diversity and community relations. 

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OFCCP Publishes Directive on Contractor Compliance

On Dec. 11, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued Directive 2021-02 to provide clear and specific guidelines to OFCCP staff and/or federal contractors on enforcement and compliance policy or procedures.

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ABC-led Coalition Supports DOL’s Labor Organization Financial Disclosure Proposal

On Dec. 14, the ABC-led Coalition for a Democratic Workplace submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule providing additional information to labor organization members and the public about the financial activities of labor organizations under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959.

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SBA Releases New FAQ on ABC-opposed PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire

On Dec. 9, the Small Business Administration published FAQ Number 53, addressing why certain borrowers will receive Paycheck Protection Program Loan Necessity Questionnaires. The SBA also publicly released for-profit and nonprofit questionnaires.

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ABC Seeks Virtual Volunteers to Get Out the Vote in Georgia

ABC National is looking for virtual volunteers to participate in a member-to-member get out the vote phone tree. This election is all about turnout and we need your help to get the message to members in Georgia.  Sign up to volunteer! 

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ABC Indiana/Kentucky Chapter Launches Online Learning Portal for Electrical Apprentices

ABC Indiana/Kentucky chapter took a unique approach to combat issues created by COVID-19 and lockdowns. The ABC Electrical Apprenticeship Learning Portal webpage was created for electrical apprentices—allowing them to submit classwork, training hours and even view recorded lessons.

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ABC Continues to Advocate for COVID-19 Relief

ABC has been working with Congress, administration officials and business coalitions to support critical priorities in any relief deals that will ensure the construction industry is able to survive, thrive and recover from this pandemic.

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Seventeen ABC Members Ranked in Top 20 Among BD+C’s Top 135 Contractors for 2020

Of the nation's top 20 contractors, 17 are ABC members, according to Building Design + Construction’s recently published list of Top 135 Contractors for 2020. These contractors were ranked based on their 2019 revenue.

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Dec. 7, 2020

ABC reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 7.2 months in November, a decrease of 0.5 months from October’s reading, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Nov. 20 to Dec. 2. Backlog is 1.7 months lower than in November 2019.

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ABC Members Win CURT CISE Awards for Safety Leadership and Achievements

On Nov. 17, The Construction Users Roundtable announced the winners of its Construction Industry Safety Excellence Awards. The following ABC members received CURT awards based on their dedication to world-class safety performance.

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Dec. 1, 2020

On this week’s episode of “The Bottom Line With ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu,” get insights on the  nonresidential construction spending, which was virtually unchanged in October,  according to an ABC analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

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DoD’s Nationwide Permits Proposal Will Streamline Permitting Under the CWA, Says ABC

On Nov. 16, ABC submitted comments as part of the Waters Advocacy Coalition to the U.S. Department of Defense’s Army Corps of Engineers on its proposal to reissue and revise the agency’s nationwide permits under the Clean Water Act. WAC expressed support for the proposed rule, which would continue to carry out Congress’ intent to allow more streamlined permitting for activities that have minimal adverse environmental effects and encouraged the Corps to ensure consistency with the Navigable Waters Protection Rule in the final rulemaking.

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Treasury Issues New Proposed Regulation on State and Local Tax Deductions

On Nov. 9, the U.S. Treasury issued a proposed regulation on state and local income taxes imposed on and paid by a partnership or S corporation on its income. The rule would allow states to permit individually and family-owned business to continue to deduct state and local taxes, just like larger corporations can. This would be an important win for smaller businesses and a significant incentive for more states to provide this critical tax relief.

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OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation

On Nov. 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a new guidance document on ventilation in the workplace. OSHA recommends, “Employers should work with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning professional to consider steps to optimize building ventilation. An HVAC professional can ensure that the ventilation system is operating as intended.”

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Republican Gains Continue in the House While Fight for Senate Majority Begins in Georgia

While major news networks have declared former Vice President Joe Biden president-elect, President Trump’s campaign has launched investigations into allegations of wrongdoing in several states while pursuing recounts in states where the margin of victory allows. Georgia has already ordered a hand recount of its 5 million ballots, while most states hope to certify their elections in late November and early December.

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U.S. States Vote on Ballot Initiatives That Impact the Construction Industry

While a handful of U.S. Senate, House and state legislative races from the 2020 elections remain uncalled, voters in a handful of states made some significant policy changes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, through the ballot initiative and referendum processes. Many of these affect the construction industry, including changing the minimum wage, legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana, paid family and medical leave and more.  

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Nov. 11, 2020

On this week’s episode of “The Bottom Line With ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu,” get insights on the Construction Backlog Indicator, which rebounded to 7.7 months in October, an increase of 0.2 months from September’s reading, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5. Backlog is 1.2 months lower than in October 2019.

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Post-Election Recap: What We Know at Press Time

The big story of the night is that we do not have a winner in the presidential election yet with Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania and too close or too early to call at this time, while projected contests in Wisconsin and Arizona seem to favor Vice President Joe Biden, which would give him a 248-214 lead in the race towards the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency.

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CISC Releases Updated COVID-19 Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction

On Oct. 29, the Construction Industry Safety Coalition released an updated COVID-19 Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction. The plan outlines the steps that construction employers and employees can take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The new revision to the plan relates to the section on “Employee Has Close Contact With a Tested Positive COVID-19 Individual” and new guidance from the CDC on “close contact.”

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DOL Issues New Opinion Letters on FLSA Compliance: Voluntary Training Programs and Travel Time

On Nov. 3, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued two opinion letters addressing specific compliance issues related to compensability of time under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The DOL encourages the public to submit requests for opinion letters to WHD to obtain an opinion or to determine whether existing guidance already addresses their questions.

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Nov. 3, 2020

On this week’s episode of “The Bottom Line With ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu,” get insights on the latest GPD growth and nonresidential construction spending.

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ABC Supports Independent Contractor Status Revisions in DOL Proposal

On Oct. 26, ABC submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule revising its interpretation of independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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ABC Greater Baltimore Chapter Hosts Governor at Education Facility Opening

On Oct. 27, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan attended the grand opening of ABC Greater Baltimore Chapter’s new Construction Education Academy, located at a Project C.O.R.E site in East Baltimore. This new state-of-the-art facility will house the largest concentration of building trade apprenticeship programs in the state, enabling ABC Greater Baltimore to train up to 5,000 skilled workers each year, doubling their current capacity.

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Amy Coney Barrett Confirmed to US Supreme Court

On Oct. 26,the Senate confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States by a 52-48 vote, with all Senate Democrats and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) voting no. After the confirmation vote, Judge Barrett was sworn in at a ceremony on the White House lawn by Justice Clarence Thomas.

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ABC Chapters and Members Band Together to Help Hurricane Victims

The ABC Pelican Chapter recently held a fundraiser to help staff affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Through the sales of “Louisiana Strong” shirts and cash donations from members, families and other nearby ABC chapters, the ABC Pelican chapter raised nearly $10,000.

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OSHA Issues FAQs on N95 Respirator Effectiveness Against Coronavirus

On Oct. 19, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration published a set of Frequently Asked Questions on the effectiveness of N95 respirators against coronavirus exposure as part of the agency’s COVID-19 FAQs page.

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SBA and Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less

On Oct. 8, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department,  released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

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ABC Members Can Connect Veterans With Construction Apprenticeships Through the DOL VETS Program

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service announced an Apprenticeship Pilot Program that will identify, track and increase the number of transitioning service members and their spouses hired into registered apprenticeship programs prior to separation from the military. The pilot will run from 2020 through early 2021 and will take place at eight military installations across the United States that were chosen in collaboration with the Department of Defense.

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Hourigan Earns AQC Credential

Hourigan of Richmond, Virginia, a member of ABC’s Virginia Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, craft and management education, talent management and diversity and community relations.

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DOL Issues Proposal on Labor Organization Financial Disclosure Reports

On Oct. 13, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards issued a proposed rule to provide additional information to labor organization members and the public about the financial activities of labor organizations under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959.

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Oct. 14, 2020

On this week’s episode of “The Bottom Line With ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu,” get insights on construction backlog, which fell to 7.5 months in September, a decline of 0.5 months from August’s reading. The Construction Confidence Index, however, does provide some reasons to remain optimistic.

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DOL Establishes Hotline and Issues FAQs Related to Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

On Sept. 28,  the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a press release stating it launched a hotline and email address to receive and investigate complaints under existing Executive Order 11246 as well as Executive Order 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, issued on Sept. 22 by President Trump.

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ABC Recognizes Chapters With Association Excellence Awards

ABC has announced the winners of the 2019 Association Excellence Awards, which annually recognizes chapter achievements in membership growth and retention, STEP participation and more. The CEO Award, which recognizes top performance in progress towards strategic goals and balanced scorecard metrics, went to the ABC Pelican Chapter.

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Register Today for the Latest ABC Election Briefing on the Mountain West and Pacific Regions

On Thursday, Oct. 8, ABC will continue its Election Briefing Series with an exclusive update for the Mountain West and Pacific regions.  It will be followed by a national update from and the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Thursday, Oct. 22.

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OSHA Issues New FAQs on Injury and Illness Reporting Requirements Related to COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued new frequently asked questions and answers regarding the need to report employees’ in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities resulting from work-related cases of the coronavirus. The FAQs help employers apply the agency’s existing injury and illness recording and reporting requirements to COVID-19.

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Oct. 6, 2020

ABC’s Chief Economist Anirban Basu reports on construction employment, which added 26,000 jobs on net in September, according to an ABC analysis of data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

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OSHA Begins Enforcement of Revised Beryllium Standard in Construction and Shipyard Sectors

Effective Sept. 30, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration will begin enforcement of the ancillary requirements of its standards for occupational exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds in the construction and shipyard sectors.

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ABC Supports Voter List Information Revision in NLRB Election Proposal

On Sept. 28, ABC submitted comments to the National Labor Relations Board on its proposed rule amending the agency’s representation election regulations under the National Labor Relations Act. Additionally, the ABC-led Coalition for a Democratic Workplace submitted comments in support of the NLRB’s proposal, officially titled Representation-Case Procedures: Voter List Contact Information; Absentee Ballots for Employees on Military Leave.

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Senate Confirms Two Republican, One Democratic EEOC Members

On Sept. 22 and 23, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Andrea Lucas (R), Jocelyn Samuels (D) and Keith Sonderling (R) to serve as commissioners of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

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Community Workforce Agreement Passed in New Mexico’s Largest County; ABC Advocates Repeal

On Sept. 22, Bernalillo County’s board of commissioners passed an ordinance requiring a community workforce agreement, also known as a project labor agreement, on all construction projects performed for the county that are valued at more than $7 million. The threshold was originally set at $5 million, but was raised to $7 million after a 30-day comment period following the introduction of the ordinance in August.

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House Republicans Introduce the BUILDER Act to Modernize NEPA

On Sept. 22, U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves (R-La.) introduced H.R. 8333, the Building U.S. Infrastructure Through Limited Delays & Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act. The legislation would codify much of the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act rulemaking, which ABC supports.

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DOL Proposes Revisions to Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

On Sept. 22, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposed rule that would revise its interpretation of independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The DOL indicates the proposal would offer clarity to determine whether a worker is an employee under the FLSA as well as promote certainty for stakeholders, reduce litigation and encourage innovation in the economy.

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Register Today for the Latest ABC Election Briefing Update

On Thursday, Sept. 24, ABC will continue its Election Briefing Series with a national update from the National Republican Congressional Committee. It will be followed by a Mountain West and Pacific region election update on Thursday, Oct. 8, and a national update from the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Thursday, Oct. 22.

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U.S. Court Allows Trump Administration to Phase out Temporary Protected Status for 50K Immigrant Construction Workers

On Sept. 14, 2020, in a 2-1 ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and vacated a U.S. District Court’s preliminary injunction in 2018 that barred the Department of Homeland Security from implementing or enforcing its determinations to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti and El Salvador while the case continued its way through the legal system.

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The Bottom Line With ABC National's Chief Economist Anirban Basu - Sept. 16, 2020

ABC’s Chief Economist Anirban Basu reports on the construction backlog indicator which rose in August, according to an ABC analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. Confidence among U.S. construction industry leaders also rose in August regarding sales, staffing levels and profit margins, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index. 

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U.S. DOL Clarifies Paid Leave Requirements Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On Sept. 11, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued revisions to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act regulations, which implement paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. FFCRA requires private-sector employers with fewer than 500 employees and certain public employers to provide covered employees emergency paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. 

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ABC Explains Impacts of Obama’s Regulatory Expansion and Trump’s Regulatory Relief on Merit Shop Contractors

On Sept. 3, ABC sent a letter to  Rep. James Comer, the ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, explaining the negative impacts of the Obama administration’s regulatory expansion on ABC member contractors, as well as the Trump administration’s regulatory relief initiatives, which have helped to remove burdensome barriers to job creation.

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