Save the Date for July 14-16, 2020, in Louisville, KY
House Democrat Infrastructure Framework:
Texas and Maine Have Biggest Number and Percent of Annual Job Gains, Ohio and Wyoming Have Largest Annual Losses; Texas and Iowa Have Largest Monthly Gains While Nevada and West Virginia Have Largest Monthly Declines
勛圖窪蹋厙 of America and 勛圖窪蹋厙 of San Antonio successfully delivered the brand new second edition of 勛圖窪蹋厙s Project Manager Development Program courses January 20th through the 24th to a sold-out class held at the 勛圖窪蹋厙 of San Antonio. Delivery of this course highlights the 勛圖窪蹋厙 of San Antonios commitment to educating and engaging their members. The updated curriculum directly addresses the core business of General Contractors, Specialty Contractors, and all trade partners. The class consisted of a mix of all three contractor types and everyone benefitted from instruction from 勛圖窪蹋厙 chapter instructors from 勛圖窪蹋厙 of Wisconsin, 勛圖窪蹋厙 of Houston and The Arizona Builders Alliance.
On Jan. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized an 勛圖窪蹋厙-supported rule to define waters of the United States providing clarity when a federal permit is needed for work in or near federal waters. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule better identifies federal waters, respects states primary role in land use and pollution prevention, and balances major case law from the last couple of decades.
On Jan. 15, the United States and China signed a modest phase one trade agreement, signaling a major first step towards defusing tension in the trade war between the two nations. Under this initial agreement, the Trump administration will reduce the existing tariff rate on $120 billion worth of import goods from China, in addition to upholding its commitment to not impose further tariffs on Chinese goods. Although the agreement rolled back some of the import duties imposed on China, steep tariffs on $250 billion of goods remain. 勛圖窪蹋厙 applauds this initial agreement and will continue to advocate for a further reduction of tariffs to keep construction material cost low and maintain market stability.
On Jan. 16, the Senate overwhelmingly passed (89-10) H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA). Senate passage of this legislation clears the way for U.S. ratification of the newly negotiated trade pact between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Once President Trump signs the deal into law, Canadas ratification is the final step before full implementation of the agreement. 勛圖窪蹋厙 has long supported this measure due to the significant economic impact trade with our North American neighbors has on the construction industry. Implementation of this new agreement will help ensure that trade impacting the construction industry supply chain remains free, fair, and certain.
As the year 2019 and Member Lauren McFerrans term were both about to expire, the National Labor Relations Board (the Board or NRLB) reversed several noteworthy actions taken by the agency during the Obama Administration.
Trump Administration Proposal to Reform the Federal Environmental Review Process Will Fix Problems with Current Process While Maintaining Environmental Rigor, Construction Officials Say
Changes Effective March 16, 2020