Construction prices rose 0.5 percent in October and are 7.9 percent high than at the same time a year ago, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data conducted by ABC. Prices for nonresidential construction inputs also increased 0.5 percent on a month-over-month basis and are up by more than 8 percent on a year-over-year basis. 

Last night, Chuck Goodrich, president and CEO of Gaylor Electric Inc. and the immediate past chair of ABC, was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives for District 29, beating Democrat Tracy Roberts for the House of Representatives seat representing Noblesville 65 percent to 35 percent.

While some races have yet to be decided, the American electorate voted for Democrats to take the House majority while increasing the Senate majority held by Republicans. The number of seats controlled by Democrats in the House of Representatives is projected to be around 230 seats, with Republicans holding around 206 seats, giving Democrats a majority of approximately 24 seats.

Eugene Jowers, a Project JumpStart graduate and employee of ABC member Regional Contracting Services, was featured in a Nov. 2 CNBC segment that also ran on PBS Nightly Business Report highlighting ABC’s efforts to attract more workers to the construction industry. 

On Oct. 31, ABC submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the Affordable Clean Energy proposed rule, officially titled Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guideline Implementing Regulations; Revisions to New Source Review Program. If finalized, the ACE rule would replace the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan with revised emissions guidelines, propose new regulations to direct both EPA and the states on the implementation of emission guidelines and revise the New Source Review program. 

National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration that encourages workforce leaders to demonstrate their commitment to apprenticeship and educate those around them. NAW also gives apprenticeship sponsors the opportunity to promote their programs, facilities and apprentices in their respective communities. 

On Nov. 5, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued guidance on how to comply with crane operator certification requirements until OSHA’s new final rule on operator certification and qualification becomes effective. OSHA also made available a pre-publication version of the final rule on its website.

Apply for the ABC National Diversity Excellence Awards by Sunday, Nov. 25. Winners will be recognized during ABC's National Excellence in Construction® Awards, acknowledged at the 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Summit and more. Additionally, members who create an inclusive culture by improving the work experience for the disabled are encouraged to submit comments on the Excellence in Disability Inclusion Award by Dec. 4, 2018.

The U.S. construction industry added 30,000 net new jobs in October, according to an analysis by ABC of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added 330,000 net new construction jobs over the past 12 months, a 4.7 percent increase.

Dwana Grace and Stacia Brightmon, apprentices from ABC member S&B Engineers and Constructors, attended an event at the White House on Oct. 31 to highlight the Pledge to America’s Workers, which continues to gather commitments from the business community to expand workforce development.