On Sept. 19, the Senate Appropriations committee approved its version of the fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding package for U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) programs. The Senate bill, like the House bill passed in June, includes the full $46.365 billion FAST Act obligation limitation for the federal-aid highway program, a $1.1 billion increase over 2019.
Surprise medical billing is a growing issue where patients face unexpected charges after they receive medical care. Despite the partisanship in Washington, there are growing bipartisan calls in Congress and by President Trump to end surprise billing, making it one of the few potential legislative accomplishments this Congress. On June 5, AGC joined a broad
The time to engage in the legislative and political arenas has never been more critical. Now that the 116th Congress is back at work, along with new government leaders in state capitals and courts across the country, AGC efforts to protect the construction industry and expand investments begin anew. Believing in the importance and effectiveness
AGC-Backed Bill Encourages Transparency and Fairness On April 18, Reps. Marc Veasey (D-Tex.) and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) introduced an AGC-backed bill—H.R. 2344—that would require a federal construction contracting agency to pay at least 50 percent of the actual (incurred or committed) cost percent of the cost of the unilateral change order which would lessen the
Asks for Construction Site Waiver On April 15, AGC of America submitted comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on two regulatory proposals dealing with the use of drones. AGC supported FAA’s proposal to lift its ban on the nighttime operation of drones and to allow flights over people with appropriately categorized drones. AGC’s comments
On Jan. 30, AGC urged members of the government funding bipartisan conference committee to reach a broad compromise and avert another government shutdown on Feb. 15. AGC recommended that a final deal should include funding and policies addressing the nation’s border security, immigration system and infrastructure needs. Specifically, components of such a deal should include an earned
Bills would Repeal Estate Tax and Make Pass-Thru Deduction Permanent The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)—passed at the end of 2017—doubled the estate tax exemption from $5 million to $10 million. However, that provision expires in 2025 without further Congressional action. Senator Thune’s legislation (which follows legislation also introduced by Rep. Jason Smith in
President Trump is expected to sign into law criminal justice reforms in the FIRST STEP Act before the holidays. This legislation includes numerous policy changes with the goal to reduce recidivism and help ex-offenders lead productive lives after leaving the criminal justice system. Among those provisions that AGC supported are the employment and job training opportunities for
There were a wide range of state and local ballot initiatives decided on Nov. 6 that have ramification for your construction business and market. Click the “read more” option below to find brief overviews of how initiatives regarding the outcomes of transportation and legalized marijuana ballot initiatives across the nation. Transportation According to the Eno
In five days, general and specialty contractors, service providers, and suppliers have a unique opportunity to shape our future by helping to elect 35 US senators, 435 US representatives, 36 governors, and many statewide and local officials. The construction industry and the millions of workers it employs have much at stake in this election. It
