Federal Contractor Report

Federal Government

Billions of Dollars in Construction Funding in FY 2019 Funding Bills

Congress Approves Funds for USACE, NAVFAC, and Dept. of Veterans Affairs

On Sept. 13, Congress passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 appropriations bill — which the president is expected to sign into law — that will provide significant amounts of funding for military construction projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC); hospital, medical clinic and cemetery projects through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA); and harbor maintenance, lock, dam, levee and environmental restoration projects through the USACE Civil Works Program.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=521976&issueID=58799 to view the full article online.

Major AGC-Backed Water Infrastructure Bill Passes House

Authorizes Billions of Dollars for Corps, Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

On Sept. 13, the House passed an AGC-supported water resources development bill that helps the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) maintain much of our nation’s water resources infrastructure. While not a funding bill, this legislation allows Congress to eventually approve billions of dollars in funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects, including navigation (dredging, locks), flood control (levees), hydropower (dams), recreation (parks), and water supply. In addition, the bill reauthorizes the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) for $50 million annually in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 and provides a new authorization for the funding of State Revolving Funds with WIFIA dollars — which can be used for drinking water and wastewater facility projects.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=521985&issueID=58799 to view the full article online.

Tax

House Committee on Ways and Means Takes Up "Tax Reform 2.0"

On Sept. 11, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Kevin Brady (R-Texas), released details on a package of bills that he has collectively referred to as "Tax Reform 2.0." The centerpiece of Tax Reform 2.0 is the Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act of 2018, which would make the temporary provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Republican tax reform plan passed at the end of 2017) permanent. Because of budgetary reasons, a number of tax provisions affecting individuals and businesses, including the new 20 percent deduction for pass-through businesses, are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=521986&issueID=58799 to view the full article online.

Labor

President Signs Executive Order Expanding Access to Retirement Plans

On August 31, President Trump signed an executive order designed to make it easier for smaller businesses to band together and offer retirement plans to employees. The order directs the Departments of Labor and Treasury to propose regulations allowing unrelated businesses to offer "association retirement plans" by relaxing the requirement that small business have a common interest to form a multiple employer plan, or open MEP. These plans are retirement vehicles designed for small, nonunion employers and shouldn’t be confused with multiemployer pension plans. The idea is similar to association health plans, which received a regulatory boost in June when DOL finalized a rule to make it easier for small businesses to join groups or associations to offer insured health coverage in the large group market at potentially more favorable pricing with less restrictive requirements.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-fcreport/articles/index.asp?aid=521987&issueID=58799 to view the full article online.

AGC News

Eighty Percent of Contractors Report Difficulty Finding Qualified Craft Workers

Three out of four metros added construction jobs in past year, but nationwide shortage of skilled workers has raised the cost of construction and delayed project schedules, putting broader economic growth at risk

Eighty percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by Autodesk and AGC of America. Association officials said shortages pose a significant risk to future economic growth and they released a new workforce development plan to solve the growing problem.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/08/29/eighty-percent-contractors-report-difficulty-finding-qualified-craft-workers-hire-0 to view the full article online.

The Latest Issue of Constructor Magazine Has a Little Fun at Washington's Expense

For those Americans fortunate enough to live outside the Beltway, the only "Washington types" you may see on a regular basis are your representatives in the House and Senate. Now, from award-winning Washington correspondent James Rosen and Constructor magazine, a tour of the strange animals that capital dwellers confront in the Beltway jungle every day.

Visit https://www.constructor-digital.com/ngcs/0518_september_october0218/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1421847#articleId1421847 to view the full article online.

Associated General Contractors of America