Senate Committee Advances FY 2020 Transportation Funding
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. In addition, the bill includes $2.7 billion discretionary appropriations for highway programs, almost the exact
AGC Joins Effort to End Surprise Medical Bills
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 group of organizations in a urging Senate leaders to prioritize needed reforms to resolve surprise medical billing.
AGC of Texas Pledges $250,000
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 of The Construction Advocacy Fund, the AGC of Texas has pledged to contribute $250,000 if
Congress Takes Notice of Change Orders Delays
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 negative impacts from unilateral change orders directed by the government. AGC is at the forefront
AGC Comments on FAA Drone Rules
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 pointed out that operators should be able to rely on the manufacturer’s certifications about the
AGC Calls for Compromise on FY 2019 Government Funding
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 legal pathway toward legal status or citizenship for the 120,000 construction workers with Temporary Protected
AGC-Backed Tax Bills Introduced
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 the House) would take a step further and fully repeal the estate tax. The TCJA
AGC-Supported Job Training Provisions to Become Law
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 ex-offenders. AGC recognizes the construction industry struggles to find qualified workers and ex-offenders struggle to
State & Local Ballot Initiatives Impacting Construction
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 Transportation Center, there were at least 314 transportation-related ballot measures nationwide this Tuesday totaling more
Get-Out-the-Vote 2018
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 is critical that we elect local, state, and federal leaders who are willing to work