From a live interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo this morning to recent appearances on RT’s “Boom Bust,” Michael Bellaman has been a more frequent presence on cable news since workforce development and infrastructure rebuilding have risen on the national agenda. 

On Aug. 15, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at streamlining the environmental review, permitting and approval process of infrastructure projects. The executive order, Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure, will make the environmental and permitting processes needed for major infrastructure projects more efficient and effective, and establishes a two-year goal to process environmental documents for major infrastructure projects, acco

On Aug. 11, ABC submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in support of its proposal to rescind the 2016 persuader rule, officially named the "Interpretation of the 'Advice' Exemption in Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act." Approximately 965 ABC members also submitted comments through voterVOICE and ABC’s Action App.

Wanzek Construction Inc. of West Fargo, N.D., a member of ABC’s Minnesota/North Dakota Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations.  

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.