Author: agcnews

On July 27, Senate Republicans unveiled their version of a $1 trillion COVID relief bill called the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act. In line with AGC recommendations, the bill includes a transition away from the CARES Act $600 per week federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefit, improvements to and an expansion of the employee retention tax credit, the opportunity for businesses to apply for a second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, liability protections for businesses, and investments in career and technical training. However, the HEALS Act, like the House Democratic COVID-relief bill (the HEROES Act), includes little in…

New York City and Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass. Have Worst 12-Month Losses, While Austin and Walla Walla, Wash. Top Job Gainers; 81 Percent of Metros Add Construction Jobs from May to June Construction employment decreased in 225, or 62 percent, out of 358 metro areas between June 2019 and last month despite widespread increases from May to June, according to an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials urged government officials to enact liability reform, boost infrastructure investments and extend tax credits to help the industry recover and rebuild. “It’s troubling to see construction employment…

The HEALS Act Includes Essential Liability, Workforce, Financial & Unemployment Reforms, But Association Will Work to Get Needed Infrastructure Investments Included in Final Relief Measure The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release today of Senate Republican’s latest coronavirus relief measure, the Heals Act: “Senate Republicans have crafted a relief measure that includes a number of vital provisions that will allow hard-hit construction firms to begin rebuilding their businesses and payrolls. Among the most promising of these provisions are liability reforms so construction firms that…

The COVID-19 response in the Philadelphia region has left young construction professionals working under strict safety protocols, working from home, or even temporarily out of work. In response, GBCA’s CLC moved all its activities, including community service, online. Every June, GBCA’s CLC supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that raises research funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Usually, fundraising kicks off at GBCA’s Golf Outing and continues with a lemonade stand outside of GBCA’s offices in Philadelphia. This year, GBCA had to cancel its Golf Outing, and Philadelphia’s stay-at-home orders meant that the traditional Lemonade Stand on the sidewalk…

On July 23, the Senate overwhelmingly passed (86-14) the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2021 (NDAA). On July 21, the House of Representatives passed (295-125) its version of the FY 2021 NDAA. Both Chambers passed the defense bills with veto-proof majorities. The House and Senate will go to conference and reconcile these bills for a final NDAA. Congressional leadership expect the defense bill to be enacted into law this year, which would mark the 60th year in row. Both defense bills authorize roughly $8 billion for military construction and contain a host of procurement and environment provisions. Some noteworthy provisions would have particular impact on federal construction contractors:…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released additional guidance about how the requirements and protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) impact workers and employers as workplaces continue to reopen. The new guidance provides plain-language questions and answers addressing critical issues related to COVID-19, based on scenarios under all three laws. Of particular interest: WHD provides additional information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to the coronavirus and its effects on wages and hours worked under the FLSA and job-protected leave under the…

As of July 23, Senate Republicans and the White House continue to negotiate agreement on the details of a new, $1 trillion coronavirus (COVID-19) relief bill. AGC recently called on members of both parties to include in any final relief bill dedicated infrastructure investment, financial resources for construction employers and employees, reasonable liability protections from COVID-19-related lawsuits, policies that promote workforce re-entry, education and training, and ensure the viability of multiemployer pension plans. House Democrats passed their $3 trillion bill on May 15, for which you can find AGC’s positions and details on that legislation by clicking here. As it stands, Senate Republicans…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released additional guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how the requirements and protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that impact the workplace as they continue to reopen. The new guidance provides plain-language questions and answers addressing critical issues related to COVID-19 based scenarios under all three laws. Of particular interest are: WHD provides additional information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to the coronavirus and its effects on wages and hours worked under…

President Donald Trump and the Council on Environmental Quality announced a final rule July 15 to “comprehensively update and substantially revise” the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). AGC responded in support of the NEPA updates that will reduce the cost, complexity and time spent on federal environmental reviews and related litigation – making it easier for businesses and communities to plan, finance and build projects. In a multi-year advocacy and outreach campaign – including a 34-page white paper, environmental permitting flowchart, several congressional statements, and extensive comment letters to CEQ – AGC explained why the NEPA regulations, which apply to all federal agencies, have…

On July 10, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council released the draft Interim Final Rule (IFR) to implement section 889(a)(I)(B) of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The rule, often referred to as “Section 889 Part B,” prohibits federal agencies from entering into, extending, or renewing, a contract with a contractor that uses any equipment, system, or service, using certain Chinese companies’ telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system beginning August 13, 2020 – unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted. AGC has communicated the difficulty many…