26A — June 22 - July 12, 2012 — Owners, Developers & Managers — Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
Associated Builders and Contractors www.abc.org
ABC Delaware Chapter
ABC members turnout for PAC fundraiser in all-important election year meeting
ABC highlights need for regulatory reform
ABC May 31 sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) outlining the most egregious existing, proposed and upcoming federal regulatory activity that is detrimental to ABC members and the construction industry. In the letter, ABC continued to express its opposition to government-mandated project labor agreements on federal construction contracts, “prevailing” wage rates under the Davis-Bacon Act and the massive health care law. ABC also called attention to: • The persuader reporting proposal that would narrow the exemption for labor con- sultant and employer reporting requirements; • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Injury and Illness Prevention Program that could mandate that all employers continually “find and fix” workplace hazards, regardless of their severity (status: pre-rule stage); • OSHA’s plans to revise its standards governing workplace exposure to crystalline silica; • The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs proposal to set hiring quotas for federal contractors to employ workers with disabilities; • DOL’s long-term strategy to aggressively target certain industries, including construction, and foster an adversarial relationship between business owners and the federal government; and • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission criminal background check guidance. • The controversial “ambush” election rule, which would have shortened election time frames form approximately 40 days to as few as 17. (Status: on May 14 the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia deemed this rule invalid. The NLRB is expected to appeal this decision, and could re-start its rulemaking later this year.) • The requirement that employers display a poster in their workplace that contains a select list of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act. (Status: the rule has been subject to several legal challenges. A formal injunction was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on April 17 preventing the Board from implementing the rule pending appeal.) • “Recess” appointments and political favoritism in policies and decisions. ABC also pointed to several regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency, including greenhouse gas rules and other regulations that impact energy costs and the manufacturing of construction materials; post-construction stormwater runoff; the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting program for commercial and public buildings; and the clean water protection guidance. Finally, ABC called for comprehensive regulatory reform and offered support for the Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 3010), the Regulatory Flexibility Improve- ments Act (H.R. 527) and the Midnight Rule Relief Act (H.R. 4607). “ABC has long advocated for comprehensive regulatory reform, including across- the-board requirements to evaluate the risks, weight the costs and assess the benefits of regulatory proposals,” the letter stated. In addition, ABC pointed out harmful rules and actions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), including:
This year is an all-important election year for business and the construction industry. As the ABC saying goes, “Get into politics or get out of business.” “Each year, election or not, we host this event to create a sense of awareness about political support of pro-ABC officials, as well as an evening of fun at Chesapeake Inn,” said ABC Delaware PAC Chairman Stan Sykora. “The goal is to help people realize that our voice must be heard on a local, state and national level. This year, a presidential election year, is crucial not only for the construction industry, but business in general. Thanks to all those who came out to support the ABC PAC.” “Elections here in Delaware are critical, too, as we move forward,” said ABC Delaware Chairman John Gooden. “As we move through the primary season and then the general election in November, ABC Delaware members will be called upon to help support candidates who support ABC. Your help both financially and as volunteers for phone banks, literature drops and ‘meet & greets’ will be needed. Watch your e-mail for notices on ways you can become involved and help get ABC’s voice heard this election year!”
Scenes from ABC’s PAC event
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