ABMA’s 2023 Advocacy Day
This year, ABMA is hosting its Advocacy Day LIVE AND IN PERSON in Washington D.C. Wednesday, March 22nd to Friday March 24th. Register here. Schedule of Events We will kick off Wednesday afternoon with an issue briefing by Director of Government Affairs, Katherine Slye-Hernandez, PhD, and Government Affairs Consultant, Pat Rita, to review the issues […]
ABMA Signs on to Rail Letter
RENNSELAER, N.Y. – The American Building Materials Alliance, along with over 400 other organizations, signed-on to a letter, sent today, urging Congressional action to prevent a major rail strike that could start as early as December 9th. “If this strike comes to fruition, it would increase the burden upon an already over extended trucking industry […]
A Quick Overview of Election Outcomes in ABMA States
Yesterday’s election day was exciting to say the least. Lots of races at all levels without incumbents, rematches of prior elections such as the gubernatorial race in Georgia, and first term governors, like Kathy Hochul in New York, trying to defend their actions to win reelection. All of this with the added fun of new […]
Midterm Elections: The Possibilities
We are less than a week out from the 2022 midterm elections and anticipation is running high here in Washington and around the country. Midterm elections are historically challenging for the party of a sitting President, and this year appears to be shaping up to be one more data point along that trend line. Recall […]
OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA), Form 300A
OSHA maintains injury and illness records at the establishment level. They define an establishment as “a single physical location where business is conducted or where services or industrial operations are performed.” If you have multiple establishments, you can submit data for all of them under one log-in but the data must be establishment specific, not […]
What is Your State’s Minimum Wage?
Over the last few years, many states have instituted minimum wage increases. Many of these are done over a number of years until they reach a certain dollar amount, often $15/hour. Make make sure you know about any increases for 2023 so that you can implement them properly. For more information on your state’s minimum […]
OSHA Resources for Workplace Stress
Workplace stress can impact not only an employee’s productivity and workplace engagement, but it can be brought home an impact an employees home life. Workers, even pre-COVID, identified “work as being a very significant or somewhat significant source of stress” in their lives. This stress can lead to mental health issues, but workplaces can help […]
WANTO is Expanding Career Pathways for Women
In recent months, the federal governments has allocated over $100 billion dollars to rebuild our country’s infrastructure and the Biden administration has announced it’s climate initiative. Both will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, but mostly in sectors where women are, historically, underrepresented. “The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau continues to expand […]
What About Control of the U.S. House?
Last week we talked about the possibility of the Republicans flipping the upper chamber. Unlike the Senate where only 35 seats are up for election, all 435 members of the House will be elected in November. The Lay of the Land Similarly to the Senate, the Republicans are in a better position with 187 seats […]
ABMA Sends Letter to Extend Bonus Depreciation Tax Provision
ABMA sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Members of the House Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance regarding extending the bonus depreciation tax provision. This, along with other tax provisions and a federal budget, will be considered by the lame duck Congress in December. For over two decades, the […]
Who Will Control the U.S. Senate?
A few months ago, the answer to who would control the U.S. Senate after the General Election seemed to be a no-brainer: the Republicans. Inflation was raging, the stock market kept taking hits, the Senate could not seem to pass any bills, and the Biden Administration kept kicking the can down the road on student […]
SBA Announces New Small Business Investment Company Reforms to Public-Private Investment Partnership Program
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced the SBA has proposed reforms to the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program. The goal is to reduce financial barriers and increase access and diversity in the businesses invested in. Read more.
IRS Warns Employers: Beware of Third Parties Promoting Improper Employee Retention Credit Claims
The IRS wants employers to be warry of third parties who advise them to claim the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) when they might not be eligible. The Agency warned that “Some third parties are taking improper positions related to taxpayer eligibility for and computation of the credit.” Read more.
IRS Urges Employers to File Payroll Tax Returns Electronically, Oct. 31st Deadline
The next quarterly deadline to file payroll taxes is Monday, October 31st, and the IRS wants employers to file electronically because “while paper filing is available…e-filing is the most secure, accurate method to file returns and saves taxpayers’ time.” Read more.
Gubernatorial Races to Watch: New York – Untested Incumbent
When Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned just over a year ago, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul (D) became the Governor. This year she is running for the first time on her own for the position against Representative Lee Zelden (R) from Long Island. While many would say, and most polls agree, this election is a foregone conclusion […]
ABMA Turns One: A Look Back at Our First Year of Federal Advocacy
The American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA) is already a year old. Last August, when the NRLA and the Construction Suppliers Association (CSA) joined forces for federal advocacy, we set out to provide national advocacy for our members. In just one year, we have accomplished a lot, surpassing even our own expectations. Member Driven, Grassroots Focused […]
Gubernatorial Races to Watch in ABMA States: Georgia – A Rematch
This year’s race for governor is a rematch between Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (D). This race is one to watch for multiple reasons: Their 2018 match-up was a close race, so this rematch should be similarly interesting; President Biden won Georgia by less than 1% in 2020 […]
ABMA Signs Onto Business Letter Opposing ENABLERS Act
RENSSELAER, N.Y. – Today, the American Building Materials Alliance joined more than 75 organizations in opposing the Establishing New Authorities for Business Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security ENABLERS) Act, which passed the House as part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The ENABLERS Act seeks to dramatically expand the reporting requirements put […]
White House Approves Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans
The White House’s approval of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans under the national Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, gives states access to FY22 and FY23 money to help install EV chargers along interstate highways. Read more.
Keep Your Workers Safe During Hurricane Season
We are right in the middle of hurricane season, but it is never too late to make sure you are prepared. As Hurricane Ian descends on the southern United States, the Department of Labor shared some tips to ensure you are prepared and keep everyone safe during and after a storm. Read more.
Job Quality Toolkit: Recruit and Retain Great Workers
The Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor have partnered with about 60 industry representatives to develop the Job Quality Toolkit to help businesses recruit and retain workers in this ever changing work environment. “The toolkit is derived from the globally emulated Baldrige Excellence Framework and incorporates insights from numerous job quality experts. The toolkit describes […]
Gubernatorial Races to Watch in ABMA States: Maine – The Return of the Governor
For the second installment in our election series on the 2022 gubernatorial elections, we are heading as far north as you can get on the eastern seaboard – the race for Governor in Maine. While this race is seen as leaning Democrat, it is far from a set outcome. This year we see a battle […]
Gubernatorial Races to Watch in ABMA States: Alabama – Strong Female Candidates
This year’s midterm elections are interesting for many reasons. The most obvious is that control of Congress is up for grabs. This has been seen by some as not only a referendum on the first two years of the Biden Administration but also on issues such as the economy, inflation, and abortion rights. However, 36 states are also holding gubernatorial elections, and many of those races will be interesting as well.
ABMA 2023 Lookahead
Today, the ABMA Committee had its monthly meeting. Members discussed plans for ABMA’s second year, received updates on D.C. happenings, and began planning for ABMA’s annual Advocacy Day in 2023.
Are you ready for the General Election?
With most of the primary elections behind us, attention now turns to the General Election in November. The big question on everyone’s mind is “Who will control Congress?” While this is a key question, there is a lot eligible voters need to know before they go to the polls.
ABMA Wraps Up First Year, Makes Plans for Year Two
The ABMA Legislative Committee met on Thursday, August 25th. Our Government Affairs Associate Pat Rita gave an update on our priority issues. We will be conducting a grassroots campaign to get Senate support for the Employer Directed Skills Act (HR6255) so we can hopefully get a Senate version introduced before the end of the year. We are taking similar action on the LICENSE Act (HR6567/S3556) in an attempt to get cosponsors before the end of 2022, so be on the lookout for an action alert in early September.
Biden Administration Outlines Strategy to Manage BA.5
Earlier this week, the Biden Administration released their plans to help combat BA.4 and BA.5, subvariants of the Omicron variant. The response includes making it easy for people to access vaccines and boosters as well as treatments and making free testing and masks widely available.
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Step Forward to Combat Climate Change
Last Thursday, the U.S. DOT’s Federal highway Administration issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for states and municipalities to track and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in support of President Biden’s commitment to combat climate change and reduce costs for families in the U.S.
Claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit
Recently, the NFIB held a webinar about how to claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). This credit was passed as part of the CARES Act of 2020 to reward and encourage businesses to keep their employees on payroll during the COVID shutdowns.
U.S. Department of Labor Awards $121M in Apprenticeship Building America Grants to Expand, Diversify, Modernize Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Last week, the U.S. DOL announced awarding more than $121M in Apprenticeship Building America grants. The goal of the grants is to “strengthen and modernize Registered Apprenticeship programs and enable workers to find a reliable pathway to the middle class.”
US DOL Announces First Group of Apprenticeship Ambassadors
The Department of Labor announced the selection of 207 officials and organizations that will serve as Apprenticeship Ambassadors as part of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative. This initiative was originally announced in November 2021.
Ambassador Katherine Tai Says Softwood Lumber Agreement US Priority
When Ambassador Katherine Tai met with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, Mary Ng last week, she reiterated that the unfair playing field in softwood lumber is an important priority for the United States.
ABMA signs on to letter opposing tax increases on small and family owned businesses
This week, the ABMA joined over 190 business groups in writing to congressional leaders to oppose two tax increases under consideration.
ABMA Meets with Senator Susan Collins Re: Canadian Softwood Lumber Agreement
Today, ABMA Committee members and members of the Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine (RLDAM) met with Senator Susan Collins and her staff to advocate for a US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA). The most recent SLA expired in 2015. The lack of an agreement is contributing to the country’s rising and unpredictable lumber prices via high US tariffs, which in turn are contributing to affordable housing issues and fewer Canadian exports.
U.S. Small Business Administration Loans
The U.S. SBA helps small businesses secure loans by setting guidelines and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses like you to get the money you need to expand your business, repair equipment, and more. Read more here.
Sign-up for Executive Agency Newsletters
Want to get information on the U.S. DOL, DOT, OSHA, and other agencies sent right to your inbox? You can sign-up for electronic newsletters and updates from these and many other agencies. Click the links below to sign-up for the newsletters. You will need to scroll to the bottom of the page for some to […]
DOL Workforce Development Solutions
If you need help finding talent for your business, the U.S. DOL has solutions and tools such a recruitment and screening, training and education, and more. Read more here.
U.S. EEOC FAQs for Businesses
If you are looking to hire new talent, make sure you are going about it the right way. You don’t want to end up on the wrong end of a discrimination suit, so make sure you and your hiring staff know what you can and cannot ask and what types of protections there are for […]
OSHA National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat Hazards
During the hottest months of the year, OSHA will be doing on-site inspections of workplaces for heat related hazards. This effort is to ensure the safety of workers in hot conditions. Read more here.
US DOL Announced $140M in Available Funding to States to Create Jobs, Provide Employment Training, Services in Critical Industries
On Thursday, the U.S. DOL announced $140 Million in funding available to the states to support those who are un- and underemployed. The money can go towards job creation, outreach, training and support services. Read more here.
ABMA Strategizes Summer Advocacy Plan
The American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA) Legislative Committee met on Thursday, June 23rd to strategize on the advancement of the priority bills and increase our industry’s visibility in the legislature during the summer.