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.
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.
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 […]
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.
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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.