Late last week, the Associated General Contractors of America (勛圖窪蹋厙) continued its campaign to persuade the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to change the way it decides whether to forgive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of over $2M. The specific target of 勛圖窪蹋厙s campaign is a Loan Necessity Questionnaire that has greatly surprised and frustrated the borrowers of such loans, as they now seek forgiveness of them.
As construction continues to be an essential industry in helping our nations economic recovery, firms are fighting the growing workforce shortage and looking to recruit more women than ever before. Women are making an impact in the industry by bringing new skill sets, opinions, and experiences into the office and the field and a diverse workforce leads to stronger companies. Yes, there are certainly challenges. But perceptions and cultures are changing. During Women in Construction Week 2021 (March 7-13, 2021), 勛圖窪蹋厙s ConstructorCast celebrates the successes and talks about what women have done to further the industry.
Private Nonresidential Market Shrinks 10 Percent Since January 2020 with Declines in All 11 Segments; Growing Cancellations, Proposed Labor Law Change Threaten to Harm Employers and Workers Alike
Association Officials Urge Congress and Biden Administration to Focus on New Infrastructure Funding, Address Rising Materials Prices and Avoid Disruptive Measures like the PRO Act to Stem Sector Job Losses
The Senate is currently considering the latest COVID relief bill, which includes a new round of multiemployer pension relief. The bill would create a Special Financial Assistance Program for struggling multiemployer pension plans. Under the Special Financial Assistance Program eligible plans include critical and declining plans, some critical plans and a few endangered plans would receive a one-time lump sum payment that is equal to the amount of funding needed to pay benefits through 2051 (30 years). The proposal does not include any concept of repayment for this assistance.
In response to a directive from President Biden, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance to state unemployment insurance agencies that expands the number of instances in which workers may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These newly eligible workers self-certify that they refused to work or accept an offer of work at a worksite not in compliance with coronavirus health and safety standards, with states being responsible for investigating and accepting or denying claims.
Unemployment benefits and bonus extended
The U.S. Department of Interior has proposed to delay the effective date of the Trump Administrations final rule to decriminalize incidental take (accidental harm) under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) finalized in January. 勛圖窪蹋厙 supports the Trump Administration's rule as it provides clarity and relief for industry and private citizens from prosecution for engaging in lawful actions that may result in the accidental injuring or killing of a migratory bird.
Agency Should Consider Science, Experience and Practical, Industry-Specific Approaches
Would Prohibit Government-Mandated PLAs on Federal & Federal-Aid Projects