The Department of Transportation (DOT) last week issued a notice to withdraw a proposed rule and end the pilot program that allowed states to require contractors to meet local hire mandates on federal-aid highway and federally assisted transit contracts. The Obama Administration proposed the permanent rule change in March of 2015 and, while the rule change was pending, created a pilot program allowing states to move forward with local hire requirements. The pilot program was initially in place for one year but just prior to the end of the Obama term, the Department extended the pilot program for an additional five years. AGC opposed this rule from its inception and discussed our opposition in a meeting with Transportation Secretary Chao early in her term and in letters to the Department. Last weeks’ notice to end the pilot program is a win for AGC members.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at deeryb@agc.org or (703) 837-5319.