ABC has added Massachusetts Chapter member Michael Moran of M.J. Moran, Inc. to the Beam Club Presidential level. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC’s top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association. By recruiting five new members, ABC members are automatically enrolled in the Beam Club by their chapter.

In front of a nearly sold-out crowd of more than 41,000 people, 2018 National Craft Championships gold medalists and the Craft Professional of the Year stood on the Washington Nationals baseball field July 3 and were honored for their hard work as trained craftsmen. The crowd cheered them on while the ABC logo spread across the stadium, showcasing the theme of the night—free enterprise.

On July 10, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat that will be vacated by Justice Anthony Kennedy when he retires on July 31.

ABC has added Massachusetts Chapter member James Alibrandi of Interstate Electrical Services to the Beam Club Presidential level. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC’s top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association. By recruiting five new members, ABC members are automatically enrolled in the Beam Club by their chapter.

On July 11, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee held a full committee markup of numerous health care bills aimed at expanding access to health savings accounts (HSAs) and lowering health care premiums for American employers and employees.

According to an ABC analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, construction material prices rose another 0.8 percent in June and are 9.6 percent higher than they were at the same time one year ago.

On July 5, ABC submitted comments to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on its proposed updates to its standard for cranes and derricks in construction to ensure crane operators are qualified to safely operate equipment.

The White House celebrated the six-month anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by hosting an event on Friday, June 29. ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman attended on behalf of the merit shop contracting community, acknowledging the positive effects of the tax code reform. At the event, President Trump took a moment to recognize ABC and several others as significant supporters who helped pass the legislation. 

Nonresidential construction spending inched 0.1 percent higher on a monthly basis in May, according to an ABC analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Spending, which totaled $749 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual rate for the month, is up 3 percent from the same time last year.  

ABC member B.R. Kreider & Son, a family-owned site management, excavating and paving company based in Manheim, Pa., donated a generous $5,000 to the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center. The gift will help fund tuition for students enrolled in the LCCTC’s landscaping, automotive and diesel programs.