Industry gauges Trump landslide

Associated Builders & Contractors and Portland Cement Association were the first national groups in construction to issue statements on the U.S. Presidential election, where Donald Trump won decisively in the electoral and popular vote. “ABC is optimistic about the future of America’s construction industry and the opportunities to advance policies that protect free enterprise, reduce regulatory burdens and expand workforce…

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Industry ponders market, regulatory possibilities from Trump landslide 

Sources: CP staff Associated Builders & Contractors and Portland Cement Association are the first national groups in construction to issue statements on the U.S. Presidential election, where Donald Trump won decisively in the electoral and popular vote.  “ABC is optimistic about the future of America’s construction industry and the opportunities to advance policies that protect free enterprise, reduce regulatory burdens…

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Associated Builders & Contractors on board with Donald Trump

Confirming the Associated Builders & Contractors’ endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, ABC CEO Michael Bellaman and 2024 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors Buddy Henley (Henley Construction Co. Inc.) note in a letter to his campaign: “After almost four years of anti-competitive, inflationary and divisive policies undermining taxpayer investments in America’s infrastructure, ABC is looking forward…

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Justices draw regulator red line

The Supreme Court’s Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision should relieve concrete, construction and trucking interests of some uncertainties arising from federal agency rules or shield them when challenging such measures in federal courts. Loper plaintiffs questioned a Department of Commerce rule that hinged on authority indicated in Chevron U.S.A Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Counsel. That 1984 high court…

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Survey: White House rule discourages construction apprenticeship participation

An Associated Builders & Contractors survey finds the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) controversial, 180,000-plus word proposed rule overhauling regulations related to government-registered apprenticeship programs (GRAPs) will discourage apprentices, contractors and ABC chapter apprenticeship program providers from participating in the Department-backed system. “Initial feedback on changes to apprenticeship regulations has been overwhelmingly negative and these survey results make it clear…

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ABC frowns on proposal to open OSHA inspections to third-party reps

Sources: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff The Associated Builders and Contractors has outlined opposition to a Department of Labor-proposed rule, Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process, that would allow an employee to choose a third-party individual, such as an outside union representative, to accompany an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector in nonunion facility visits.

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Davis-Bacon updates compound paperwork requirements, prevailing wage spikes

Sources: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Capping a 28-month rulemaking process, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule, Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations, which revises prevailing wage calculations and increases paperwork for contractors on federal and federally assisted construction projects.

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Labor Department expands Form 300 data submission requirements

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor; CP staff Under “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” a final rule effective January 2024, the Labor Department is requiring certain employers in designated high-hazard industries to electronically submit injury and illness information to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Establishments with 100 or more employees in cement, concrete, construction and other industries deemed…

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Contractor Hardon elevates site manager workspaces, crew productivity

SkyPodz LLC, a sister business of Buford, Ga. concrete contractor Hardon Inc., has developed a mobile office for high-rise construction. A lightweight, temporary structure hoisted by crane and mounted to any floor slab, the SkyPod allows site managers and superintendents to remain closer to their work. It provides an enclosed office, storage, and power source for any trade, and saves…

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Concrete, plumbing fixtures lead in construction input price stability

Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff New U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data confirms rampant inflation (> 50 percent) levels among eight of 11 Nonresidential Construction input subcategories. An Associated Builders & Contractors analysis finds segment prices up 21.9 percent year over year through May, and 44.4 percent since February 2020. Plumbing Fixtures and…

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