Author: agcnews

On June 17, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of the Treasury released a revised Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application, implementing the fixes from the AGC-backed Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act enacted June 5. The agencies also released a streamlined “EZ version” of loan forgiveness application that may be used in limited circumstances. The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding the applicability of these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form. Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if their loan…

On June 15, Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) introduced the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act, legislation that would ensure Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds can be used to provide incentive payments to contractors for early completion of eligible projects. Rather than the owner agency establishing unrealistic completion dates, which could discourage some contractors from bidding on those projects, incentive payments allow contractors to determine how best to earn the incentive. This AGC-supported measure passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in February. AGC will continue to support this measure as it moves forward in the legislative process.…

On June 17, U.S. Senate passed (75-23) the AGC-backed Great American Outdoors Act, which especially helps address the needs of National Parks Service infrastructure and facilities. The bill would establish the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Fund, which would direct $9.5 billion in non-taxpayer monies over five years to address priority repairs in national parks and on other public lands controlled and operated by the Department of the Interior and its agencies. A minimum of 65 percent of the fund would be dedicated to non-transportation projects, such as building construction. The remaining parts of the fund would be available for roads,…

On June 16, led by Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), 26 Senators called on Leaders McConnell and Schumer to support approximately $50 billion in immediate federal funding for state departments of transportation (DOTs) in the next COVID-19 response package. AGC, along with other transportation construction stakeholders, spearheaded this effort. Such funding is essential to ensure transportation projects can proceed as planned and to help protect essential construction jobs. For more information, contact Cory Gattie at cory.gattie@agc.org.

On June 15, ahead of the markup of the legislation in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, AGC released a full analysis of the INVEST Act, the House Democrats’ recently introduced surface transportation reauthorization bill. This seven-page document provides a deep dive into the provisions of the bill, including analysis on investment and funding levels, workforce related policies, environmental initiatives and regulations, project delivery and safety, technology, research, and development. A one-page overview of that analysis is also available here. As the legislative process on this bill moves forward and amendments are adopted, AGC will continue to provide updates on this measure. For more…

Whether your workplace has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, is just reopening now, or will do so sometime later this year, employers should be prepared for the possibility that some employees may refuse to work due to COVID-related safety concerns. While most employers are aware of the need to comply with COVID-19-related occupational safety and health (i.e., OSHA) requirements, and similar requirements under state and local executive orders, employers should also keep in mind their obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which applies to most non-supervisory employees in the private sector and may provide protection to both…

A federal district court on May 30 invalidated portions of a rule issued by the present National Labor Relations Board to modify the prior Administration’s regulation (often referred to as the “quickie” or “ambush” election rule) on union representation-case procedures. The Board swiftly responded by announcing that it would implement the remaining portions of the AGC-supported rule as of May 31. The present Board issued the rule in December 2019 as a final rule without any notice of proposed rulemaking or opportunity for public comment. The Board maintained that the rule was procedural in nature and not subject to notice-and-comment requirements under…

A new survey by the Associated General Contractors of America and data from construction technology firm Procore show that construction activity is returning to pre-coronavirus levels in many parts of the country and some firms are adding workers. The new economic data, however, also shows some future projects are being canceled and many others are being delayed by supply chain issues and labor shortages, underscoring the need for additional federal recovery measures, association officials noted. Read more. Materials: National Survey Results Regional results: MidwestNortheastSouthWest AGC Presentation Slides Procore Presentation Slides

AGC and other contractor associations seeking multiemployer pension reform jointly released a new study on June 1 finding that composite retirement plans would have fared better during the coronavirus pandemic and related market declines than traditional defined-benefit multi-employer plans, allowing participants to receive higher benefits and attracting more employer participants. The study makes it clear that employees and employers stand to benefit once Congress authorizes the use of composite plans. Necessity Breeds Innovation: How Composite Plans Can Bring Sustainability to the Multiemployer Pension System was commissioned by the following organizations: the Associated General Contractors of America; FCA International; International Council of Employers of…

According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., contractors are projecting 2020 construction staff wages to increase an average of 3.55% (excludes 0% projections), reported by over 300 companies in the 38th edition of the Construction / Construction Management Staff Salary Survey. For pay increase comparison, according to the WorldatWork, across all industries exempt professionals saw 2019 increases of 3.2% and they are projecting 2020 increases of 3.3%. For construction they reported a 3.9% increase in 2019 and are projecting 3.3% for 2020. The 2020 Construction / Construction Management Staff Salary Survey was published just as shelter in place orders…