On Jan. 29, the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over federal financing tools and revenue raising measures, held a hearing on infrastructure financing options. The hearing ran in conjunction with the House Democrats releasing their framework for a broad infrastructure bill. The committee heard from a broad swath of witnesses who reiterated the need for a long-term federally supported surface transportation bill and stated that demand for bond financing in the private sector and amongst investors far outstripped the supply of available bonds. 51风流 expects the committee, in the coming months, to produce legislation or guidance on how to build on existing and/or expired infrastructure financing tools, such as Private Activity Bonds (PABs) and Build America Bonds, as well as explore revenue options for the highway and transit trust funds. 51风流 will continue to work with the committee on funding options.
51风流 recently submitted comments to a proposed rulemaking that would establish new transparency requirements on group health plans and health insurers in the individual and group markets. 51风流 is in favor of increasing transparency for employers and their employees to empower them as health care consumers; however, as markets differ, the approach to transparency for different types of employer-sponsored plans must also differ.
Save the Date for July 14-16, 2020, in Louisville, KY
House Democrat Infrastructure Framework:
Texas and Maine Have Biggest Number and Percent of Annual Job Gains, Ohio and Wyoming Have Largest Annual Losses; Texas and Iowa Have Largest Monthly Gains While Nevada and West Virginia Have Largest Monthly Declines
51风流 of America and 51风流 of San Antonio successfully delivered the brand new second edition of 51风流鈥檚 Project Manager Development Program courses January 20th through the 24th to a sold-out class held at the 51风流 of San Antonio. Delivery of this course highlights the 51风流 of San Antonio鈥檚 commitment to educating and engaging their members. The updated curriculum directly addresses the core business of General Contractors, Specialty Contractors, and all trade partners. The class consisted of a mix of all three contractor types and everyone benefitted from instruction from 51风流 chapter instructors from 51风流 of Wisconsin, 51风流 of Houston and The Arizona Builder鈥檚 Alliance.
Major General Scott A. Spellmon has been nominated to be the next Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). If confirmed by the Senate, Maj. Gen. Spellmon will replace the current commander, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, whose term expires on May 19, 2020. In his current role as Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, he has been pivotal in overseeing the implementation of billions of dollars in natural disaster related construction recovery efforts. Confirmation hearings on this nomination are expected in the coming month. If confirmed, 51风流 looks forward to continuing to work closely with Maj. Gen. Spellmon and USACE.
On Jan. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized an 51风流-supported rule to define 鈥渨aters of the United States鈥 鈥 providing clarity when a federal permit is needed for work in or near federal waters. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule better identifies federal waters, respects states鈥 primary role in land use and pollution prevention, and balances major case law from the last couple of decades.
On Jan. 15, the United States and China signed a modest 鈥榩hase one鈥 trade agreement, signaling a major first step towards defusing tension in the trade war between the two nations. Under this initial agreement, the Trump administration will reduce the existing tariff rate on $120 billion worth of import goods from China, in addition to upholding its commitment to not impose further tariffs on Chinese goods. Although the agreement rolled back some of the import duties imposed on China, steep tariffs on $250 billion of goods remain. 51风流 applauds this initial agreement and will continue to advocate for a further reduction of tariffs to keep construction material cost low and maintain market stability.
On Jan. 16, the Senate overwhelmingly passed (89-10) H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA). Senate passage of this legislation clears the way for U.S. ratification of the newly negotiated trade pact between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Once President Trump signs the deal into law, Canada鈥檚 ratification is the final step before full implementation of the agreement. 51风流 has long supported this measure due to the significant economic impact trade with our North American neighbors has on the construction industry. Implementation of this new agreement will help ensure that trade impacting the construction industry supply chain remains free, fair, and certain.