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Please Tell Us If You Are Having a Hard Time Finding Qualified Workers

We continue to hear from many of you that the labor market has become tighter since AGC of America last surveyed its members about the extent of workforce shortages.  While it is clear that worker shortages are a growing concern, and in some cases a significant problem, for many contractors, we feel it is important to continue our efforts to better quantify where these shortages are taking place, how severe they are, and what steps firms are taking to both cope with tight labor markets and improve the supply of new, qualified workers. That is why we are asking you to take a few minutes to complete the following workforce survey that we prepared. 

Registration Open for First Ever AGC Utility Infrastructure Conference at ICUEE

Register by July 15, 2015 and Save $75! 
 

AGC will be hosting its first ever Utility Infrastructure Conference, Sept. 29–Oct. 1 in Louisville, Kentucky. Join other contractors, owners and key industry constituents involved in every aspect of utility infrastructure construction for high-quality education sessions, the premier utility construction equipment expo, and networking opportunities.

Congressional Committees Hold Hearings on Transportation Funding Challenges

This week, two congressional committees held hearings exploring the use of repatriation to fill the Highway Trust Fund revenue gap and additional financing for transportation infrastructure, respectively.  Congress must identify sources of revenue to fill the gap and pass a long-term transportation bill before the end of July, when the current extension expires, in order to keep highway & bridge construction projects running. AGC continues to push for a permanent fix for the Highway Trust Fund and supports innovative financing options that would increase the use of public-private partnerships, among other measures, to address our nation’s transportation infrastructure needs.

Senate EPW Committee Approves AGC-Backed Six Year Transportation Reauthorization Bill

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the AGC-supported DRIVE Act, a six-year bill with increased funding recommendations and several new program initiatives. The Committee has jurisdiction over the highway portion of the legislation and now must await action by the Finance Committee on the revenue portion, the Banking Committee on the transit segments, and the Commerce Committee on safety.

Nevertheless, it was an important first step in the process. AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr participated in a press conference with the bill’s primary sponsors, Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and ranking member Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), where Sandherr noted that getting a long-term bill is vital and failure to act will have real impact on commuters’ wallets and the economy’s performance.

Please Tell Us If You Are Having a Hard Time Finding Qualified Workers

We continue to hear from many of you that the labor market has become tighter since AGC of America last surveyed its members about the extent of workforce shortages.  While it is clear that worker shortages are a growing concern, and in some cases a significant problem, for many contractors, we feel it is important to continue our efforts to better quantify where these shortages are taking place, how severe they are, and what steps firms are taking to both cope with tight labor markets and improve the supply of new, qualified workers. That is why we are asking you to take a few minutes to complete the following workforce survey that we prepared.  Your responses will help us better define the problem to elected and appointed officials, the media, educators and your peers within the business community.  The more people understand the scope, and consequences, of a tight construction labor market, the more likely they are to act on the measures we identify in our Workforce Development Plan that are designed to make it easier for school systems, local associations and private firms to establish career and technical education and training programs.

Sixteen Presidential Candidates…and Counting

Two more individuals officially declared their intention to seek the presidency this week, bringing the total number of announced candidates to 16 – four Democrats and 12 Republicans.

On Monday at Miami-Dade College, former Florida Governor and presidential son and brother, Jeb Bush, formally declared his national candidacy.  Mr. Bush’s speech focused on what he believed to be failures of the current administration and the likelihood that similar policies would continue under a President Hillary Clinton. 

AGC Successfully Defends Zero-Tolerance Drug Policy

Siding with AGC of America, the AGC of Colorado and the Colorado Contractor’s Association, the Colorado Supreme Court has unanimously held that a state law insulating Colorado residents from prosecution for making medical use of marijuana does not require the state’s employers to tolerate the same or apparently any other use of the drug.  The decision extends well beyond employees who use marijuana on the job, or show up under the influence of it.  In fact, the case involved an employee who used marijuana only at home and during non-working hours. 

Obama Administration Releases Regulations on Implementing Multiemployer Pension Reform

The federal agencies tasked with implementing the AGC-backed Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 issued proposed final regulations this week that will govern the implementation of the new law. The regulations from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Internal Revenue Service address the suspension of benefits and the partitioning of plans under the Act.

AGC Suggests Improvements to New Workforce Training Regulations

AGC joined other groups this week in commenting on draft regulations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act . The regulations will largely dictate how the act is implemented and ultimately its effectiveness on training skilled construction workers. AGC supported passage of the bill last year as it streamlines the workforce development system, gives states greater flexibility to address worker shortages and strengthens employer engagement.

AGC Suggests Improvements to New Workforce Training Regulations

AGC joined other groups this week in commenting on draft regulations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act . The regulations will largely dictate how the act is implemented and ultimately its effectiveness on training skilled construction workers. AGC supported passage of the bill last year as it streamlines the workforce development system, gives states greater flexibility to address worker shortages and strengthens employer engagement.