Author: agcnews

Construction employment decreased from January 2020 to January 2021 in nearly two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today, as project cancellations and a lack of new orders have forced firms to reduce their headcount, the association’s latest contractor survey shows. Association officials said more layoffs are likely for the industry amid spiking materials prices and uncertain demand for new projects. “More contractors are telling us they are cutting headcount than adding workers, which is consistent with the new data showing the industry is shrinking in many parts of…

On March 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the AGC-supported American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6). This measure seeks to take a first step in reforming our nation’s immigration system by protecting the legal status of work authorized-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. Despite today’s outcome, the bill faces an uphill fate in the Senate without a significant breakthrough. There are more than 100,000 construction workers estimated with DACA or TPS status who currently face an uncertain legal future. Both programs were under assault during the Trump Administration and continue…

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act provides $219.8 billion to state and territorial governments to mitigate the fiscal effects stemming from the pandemic. Included at the last minute, however, is a clause that prohibits any state or territory receiving the aid “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue of such State or territory.” AGC is very concerned about the effects of this provision, including the impact on states taking actions to conform their state tax treatment of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness to the federal tax code. This broad restriction applies to…

Fearing Republican and moderate Democratic senators will move to block the passage of the PRO Act after the House of Representatives passed the bill, the AFL-CIO executive council unanimously called on the Senate to gut the filibuster. In its statement, the council said, “Senate rules cannot be used to block a workers first agenda,” and “[i]t is an agenda that cannot be delayed or denied.” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumpka said, “The PRO Act is our litmus test. It has to get done.” The negative impacts, however, of PRO Act enactment on the construction industry—union and open-shop—workers and economic recovery would be…

On March 16, AGC met with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack. Prior to joining FHWA, Pollack served as the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. This introductory meeting provided AGC an opportunity to discuss mutual priorities between the association and agency, including addressing challenges facing the surface transportation system, construction workforce and diversity and inclusion in the industry. AGC looks forward to further meetings and continuing the conversation on how to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure with other leaders of the Department of Transportation.

The Building Division by acclimation elected Michael Trettel as Chairman for the 2021-2022 term. Michael began his career as a Project Engineer and Project Manager and transitioned to business development. He is currently Director of Business Development for i+iconUSA (parent company of Joseph B. Fay Co. and i+iconSoutheast). Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Chairs the Development Committee and is also a Board Member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter. For his efforts, Michael was recognized as a Pittsburgh “40 under 40” by Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP in 2019. Michael had…

Construction employment in January remained below pre-pandemic levels in all but eight states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today, while more firms have reduced headcount than have added to it in the past year, the association’s recent survey shows. Association officials said the jobs figures and survey results underscore the need for federal measures to stem future sector job losses. “Despite improvement in many sectors of the economy, nonresidential contractors are coping with widespread project cancellations and postponements, soaring materials costs, and lengthening delivery times,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That…

Another round of steep price increases and supply-chain disruptions are wreaking hardships on contractors, driving up construction costs and slowing projects, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. The data comes a day after the association released a new survey showing materials delays and price increases are affecting most contractors.  Association officials urged the Biden administration to end a range of trade tariffs in place, including for Canadian lumber, that are contributing to the price increases, and to help uncork supply-chain bottlenecks. “Both today’s producer price index report and our survey results show escalating materials…

In January, President Biden signed executive orders specifically charging federal agencies to focus on environmental regulations, climate change, and environmental justice. In the intervening weeks, the agencies have begun implementing those directives. We are seeing incremental steps taken as the nominees to head these agencies move through the confirmation process. The Senate just confirmed Michael Regan’s appointment to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and hearings for other nominees have recently happened or are being scheduled. Agency activity is expected to increase as more appointed officials take the lead. President Biden ordered a regulatory review from the prior four years to identify where…

In accordance with the Biden administration’s recent regulatory freeze memorandum, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued proposals to roll back two of the Trump administration’s rulemakings. One DOL proposal is to withdraw a final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The previous final rule originally was to be effective on March 8, 2021, however, a recent proposal delayed that date to allow the agency “the opportunity to review and consider the questions of law, policy, and fact raised by the rule[s].” The second DOL proposal is to rescind a Trump administration rule…