Local Pressure, National Results

The Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) Rule was an electric truck mandate that would have forced businesses to replace diesel trucks before practical electric models or charging stations were widely available. For our industry, that meant higher costs, supply chain headaches, and more pressure on housing affordability.

ABMA members didn’t sit on the sidelines.

Across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, NRLA members worked to secure delays and suspensions at the state level. In New York, every NRLA state and local president signed a joint letter to Governor Hochul. In Massachusetts, Tony Shepley wrote to Governor Healey. In Vermont, Jeremy Baker and Claudia Homan spoke directly with Governor Scott. In Connecticut, Bob Sanford built support among other business groups. In New Jersey, TJ Shaheen hosted more than a dozen lawmakers for yard tours to show firsthand how our businesses operate and to discuss the real-world impact of the rule. Together, these efforts kept the rule on hold while a national solution was pursued.

At the federal level, ABMA staff brought the issue to the EPA and Administrator Lee Zeldin. ABMA Chair Rod Wiles wrote directly to Zeldin, urging a practical approach that reflected on-the-ground realities. Zeldin responded by asking Congress to repeal the rule. The House and Senate voted, and the President signed it into law.

This outcome protects delivery fleets, keeps costs under control, and proves what happens when ABMA members step up at every level of government.

Thank you to Rod, Tony, Jeremy, Claudia, Bob, TJ, and every member who spoke up, hosted visits, wrote letters, or met with decision-makers.

When our members lead, we get results.

Workforce Bills Reintroduced with ABMA Support

Washington, D.C. — This week, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) reintroduced two workforce development bills aimed at helping businesses train and hire based on skills, not résumés. The Employer-Directed Skills Act and the Advancing Skills-Based Hiring Act would provide tools and incentives for employers to invest in training and adopt hiring practices focused on real-world abilities rather than academic credentials.

The bills have drawn strong support from industry groups, including ABMA and the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA). “It’s time to shift the focus from résumés to real-world skills,” said ABMA Chair Rod Wiles. “This bill makes that possible, empowering employers to embrace skills-based hiring and provide meaningful on-the-job training.”

Why Skills-Based Hiring Matters More Than Ever

The reintroduction of these workforce development bills comes at a critical time. In March, a House hearing on reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) revealed a troubling disconnect: the U.S. has nearly 8 million open jobs, yet about 6.8 million people remain unemployed—many lacking the skills needed for today’s workforce. Lawmakers from both parties emphasized the urgency of streamlining training programs, reducing red tape, and building stronger partnerships between employers and educators. These new bills reflect that momentum and align with ABMA’s long-standing priority to modernize workforce development.

Congress Faces Summer Gridlock on Major Tax Bill

Congress is unlikely to meet its self-imposed deadlines for passing the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax and budget reconciliation package aimed at extending and expanding the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While both the House and Senate agree on many broad goals—like making small business tax cuts permanent and reducing green energy incentives—the details have proven contentious. Sources on Capitol Hill tell ABMA they expect negotiations to stretch through the summer as lawmakers work to reconcile key differences.

The House version proposes more aggressive tax relief for small businesses, including increasing the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction from 20% to 23%, and expanding eligibility. It also offers extended bonus depreciation and higher expensing limits under Section 179. In contrast, the Senate bill sticks with the current 20% QBI rate and opts for permanent, but more limited, provisions on depreciation and R&D expensing. While both chambers agree on allowing interest deductions based on EBITDA, differences in charitable deductions, green energy tax credits, and SALT cap limits continue to stall final agreement. ABMA will continue monitoring progress and advocating for provisions that support independently owned LBM businesses.