Author: agcnews

Oregon voters became the first in the nation to decriminalize possession of “hard drugs” and thus making it easier to use illegal substances leading to safety and health implications. In addition, the measure could contribute to the workforce shortage when the industry resumes hiring. Florida voters approved raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, joining 8 other states and DC. In another sign of the times, Colorado voters approved a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, making it the first state to do so through ballot initiative, and the ninth plus DC with state paid family leave law in the country. There…

Four states (Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota) approved recreational use of marijuana while Mississippi approved use of medical marijuana in ballot measures on Tuesday. The additions on Tuesday make 15 states and DC with legalized marijuana. Federal attempts to decriminalize and legalize marijuana are on the horizon. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to eventually consider the MORE Act, which would remove federal penalties for marijuana use. AGC continues to advocate for the ability for employers to maintain drug free workplaces. The association remains concerned over the implications of the MORE Act and the impact marijuana legalization use could have on workplace safety. Marijuana negatively impacts attention…

On Oct. 26, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lenders would send a questionnaire to PPP borrowers who received a principal loan amount of $2 million or more and have to return a completed questionnaire in ten days. No questionnaire had been released until late on Oct. 30, when Politico released what appears to be a leaked version of the questionnaire, found here. As of this moment, the SBA has neither verified the Politico released questionnaire nor released an official one. The questionnaire is subject to review by and final approval of the White House Office of Management…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently issued two new opinion letters. Of particular interest is opinion letter FLSA2020-16 addressing compensability of employee travel time in certain situations involving construction sites located away from the employer’s principal place of business. Specifically, the letter discusses the compensability of non-exempt (e.g., overtime-eligible) foremen’s and laborers’ travel time under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An opinion letter is an official document authored by WHD on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity requesting the letter. Opinion letters represent official statements of agency policy.…

There’s real potential that we will be printing large concrete buildings in the future. But on this episode, Ryan Shults of Gilbane Building Company and Steven Koehler of Linbeck hope to convince you that contractors can easily benefit from Desktop 3D printing technology right now. They share how they are using 3D printing in various construction applications to help them get, plan and execute projects. Guests:Ryan Shults | VDC Manager | Gilbane Building Company – www.gilbaneco.com/Steven Koehler | VDC Coordinator | Linbeck – www.linbeck.com/ AGC Project Innovation & Delivery Forum – Volunteer Opportunity:AGC members can also join the Project Innovation & Delivery…

A small increase in total construction spending in September masked a widening gap between declines in most nonresidential segments and robust gains in residential construction, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials warned nonresidential construction is headed for an even steeper slump unless officials in Washington enact relief promptly, noting that their latest industry survey found three out of four respondents had experienced a postponed or cancelled project since the start of the pandemic. “The September spending report shows the gulf between housing and nonresidential markets is growing steadily wider,” said…

A recently unclassified memorandum extends a waiver on the applicability of a new prohibition—often referred to as “Section 889 Part B”—of certain telecommunications for the Department of Defense (DOD), which can include items construction contractors install in conjunction with DOD projects. The prohibition bars federal agencies from entering into, extending, or renewing a contract with a contractor that uses any equipment, system, or service that utilizes certain Chinese companies’ telecommunications equipment or services as a component or critical technology of any system, unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted. The new memo will allow DOD to continue to contract for “low risk”…

Construction firms are experiencing widespread project deferrals and cancellations, along with disruptions to ongoing work and few new project awards, as the economic damage from the pandemic drags down industry employment in metro areas across the nation, according to a new survey and an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials urged Congress to pass new coronavirus relief measures to head off further job losses. “The survey results make it clear that the months-long pandemic is undermining demand for projects, disrupting vital supply chains and clouding the industry’s outlook,” said Ken…

Tonya Jackson has over 25 years of experience in the areas of business development, marketing, and sales. Jackson is a 16-year veteran of RA-LIN and Associates Inc., a Georgia construction management firm, where she works as a business development manager. She serves on the AGC of America Business Development Forum Steering Committee as well on the board of directors for Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Douglas County Education Foundation and Douglas County Schools Partners in Education; WellStar-Douglas Hospital Authority Board; University of West Georgia Foundation; committees of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce; and the Society of Marketing…

In response to the pandemic, the president issued an executive order establishing a Coronavirus Mental Health Working Group to respond to the mental-health conditions induced or exacerbated by the pandemic, including issues related to suicide. The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage—of which AGC is a member—provided input to the Working Group. There, the coalition expressed support for expanding access to telehealth services to all employees, including variable workforces. In addition, the coalition noted support for addressing access to affordable mental and behavioral health care, thereby avoiding large out-of-network bills or even surprise medical bills to employees. AGC continues to advocate for avenues for its members…