Ten students pursuing craft professional training in the construction industry were awarded the second annual Build Your Future scholarships through ABC’s Trimmer Construction Education Foundation (TCEF). The scholarships are given to the top 10 students attending an NCCER-accredited program or a state/federally approved apprenticeship program in a merit-shop training facility. 

In anticipation of congressional action on tax reform this fall, ABC sent out a survey Aug. 15 asking members to weigh in on their top priorities in a tax reform bill. Members are encouraged to respond to the quick survey through the ABC Action Center, where your responses will be used to shape ABC's message as it pushes for tax reform on Capitol Hill.

A new whiteboard video helps members understand the value of ABC's Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) and highlights how they could make their company 770% safer than the industry average. STEP is a safety benchmarking and improvement tool that dramatically improves safety performance among construction industry participants regardless of company size or type of work. 

ABC is encouraging all members to take action  and submit comments to the Department of Labor (DOL) on its proposal  to rescind the "persuader" rule, officially named the "Interpretation of the 'Advice' Exemption in Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act." 

The Trump administration released its first regulatory agenda on July 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the Trump administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2017. Many of the items listed roll back rules released under the Obama administration. 

ABC joined 42 other national and state organizations in signing onto a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin asking the department to address the confusing and conflicting definitions of “seasonal worker” and “seasonal employee” that are included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its implementing regulations.

On Aug. 2, President Donald J. Trump announced his support for S. 354, the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act. The bill, which was introduced in February by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.), addresses the number of green cards issued each year and creates a merit-based immigration system that replaces the current permanent employment visa framework.

On Aug. 2, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Marvin Kaplan to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Kaplan’s position to serve on the five-member board for a term expiring on Aug. 27, 2020.

Eight ABC members joined more than 100 small business owners at the White House this week for an event highlighting small businesses, “The Engine of the American Dream.” At the event, President Trump highlighted his administration’s commitment to instituting policies that allow small businesses to flourish in America and spotlighted the important contributions that small businesses make to the American economy. 

Eight of the nation's top 10 construction companies are ABC members, according to Engineering News-Record’s recently published annual list of Top 400 Contractors. The firms were ranked based on 2016 revenue.