News for Construction Outlook
New Buy American Act executive order ups the ante on domestic preferences
As anticipated, the Trump Administration has continued to build on its emphasis for domestic preference requirements on projects that are subject to the Buy American Act
Posted on: 07/25/2019
Capital budget: Nearly $5 billion for schools, universities, cleanups and housing
The Legislature passed a $4.9-billion 2019-2021 capital budget shortly before adjournment of the Legislature. The total includes $3.2 billion from proceeds of state general-obligation bonds. This is a significant increase over the previous biennial capital budget, which totaled $4.4 billion.
Posted on: 04/30/2019
Transportation budget: $10 billion for two years, no new major package
Lawmakers adopted a $9.8 billion transportation budget for the 2019-20 biennium. The two year budget provides additional investments for a new 144-car hybrid electric ferry, conversion of an existing ferry, and terminal improvements.
Posted on: 04/30/2019
Difficulty finding qualified craft workers is a near universal problem for the industry
Almost all of you are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by Autodesk and AGC of America.
Posted on: 09/11/2018
AGC of America opposes tariffs, offers recommendations for contractors
On March 8, President Trump signed proclamations to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports, with limited exceptions.
Posted on: 03/13/2018
Harvey's aftermath will rattle construction supply chain, economists say
Hurricane Harvey’s immediate impact on the construction sector will be a disruption in the supply chain for key materials, along with scheduling problems for projects that were under construction.
Posted on: 09/08/2017
Contact your legislators today and urge them to pass the Capital Budget now!
The State Legislature has passed the operating budget -- but not the capital budget, which funds a multitude of construction projects.
Posted on: 07/14/2017
Build schools? Get ready to build more.
The State House and Senate recently released state capital budget proposals, and both invest a record amount -- $1.1 billion – toward school construction.
Posted on: 04/10/2017
Ecology offers changes to solid waste handling draft rule
AGC Environment Committee members recently traveled to Olympia to discuss the need for changes to DOE’s proposed solid waste rule with legislators and DOE rule drafters.
Posted on: 03/28/2017
AGC shows support for CTE funding
AGC member Bob Adams, of Guy F. Atkinson Construction, testified recently before the Senate Early Learning K-12 Education Committee in support of funding for CTE (career and technical education) programs in middle and high schools.
Posted on: 01/31/2017
AGC of America releases construction outlook
The July 2016 Construction Spending, Labor & Materials Outlook from Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for AGC of America.
Posted on: 07/12/2016
Act now: Support career- and tech-education bill in Congress
The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, legislation which would reauthorize and reform the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Posted on: 07/11/2016
Four-year process leads to draft EIS for Millennium project
More than four years after the permitting process began, Washington State DOE and Cowlitz County released the draft EIS for the Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview project that would create a global export hub.
Posted on: 06/21/2016
School and higher-ed construction get boost in state budgets
Increased overall emphasis on education in the Legislature, including new laws to reduce class size in grades K-3, is good news to contractors who build schools.
Posted on: 02/29/2016
Having trouble finding qualified workers? You’re not alone!
An overwhelming majority of construction firms report trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as demand for construction continues to rebound in many parts of the country, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by AGC of America.
Posted on: 10/13/2015
Contractors visit State Capitol for AGC Lobby Day
AGC thanks the members who travelled to Olympia to support construction-industry issues in the Legislature on March 17. During AGC’s annual Lobby Day members visited legislators to talk to them face-to-face about transportation spending bid listing legislation and workers’ comp reform.
“Lobby Da...
Posted on: 03/30/2015
Eighty percent of construction firms plan to expand 2015 payrolls
Eighty percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2015 while only 7 percent expect to reduce headcounts according to survey results released on Jan. 21st by the Associated General Contractors of America. The survey conducted as part of Ready to Hire Again: The 2015 Constructio...
Posted on: 01/30/2015
Seattle construction cranes a welcome sight
Have you noticed? A plethora of construction cranes is now visible across the Seattle skyline in this YouTube video. Although some are obscured or difficult to see there are 18 construction cranes -- mostly tower cranes -- in this video clip taken last week from the Seattle AGC Building.
Con...
Posted on: 06/24/2014
Defense bill boosts local military construction
The $526.8 billion defense budget signed by President Obama during the holidays includes $153 million for projects at JBLM and $85 million for facilities at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The local projects funded in the defense bill are:• $79 million for a new Army aircraft maintenance hange...
Posted on: 01/06/2014
Washington's 2014 Construction Forecast Positive Across Many Sectors
Click here for the full 2014 economic-forecast presentation.
With Washington State among the country’s healthiest economies 2014 looks promising for healthy growth among most of the state’s construction sectors according to Cliff Brewis of McGraw-Hill. Brewis was the featured speaker at Novemb...
Posted on: 12/02/2013
2014 WA State Construction Forecast on Nov. 20
AGCs Southern District will hold this free seminar at the Fife office (3601 20th Street East) on Nov. 20 from 12-1:30pm. Please save the date and RSVP today. McGraw-Hill Constructions top forecaster will present a 2014 Washington State-specific sector-by-sector construction forecast. This informa...
Posted on: 10/08/2013
AGC Members Get Insiders' Look at Arena Deal
AGC members got an insiders look at the arena deal reached by the Seattle and King County Councils and Chris Hansens ArenaCo at todays AGC Seattle District Membership Meeting.
Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess and King County Councilman Joe McDermott discussed many of the specifics of the deal...
Posted on: 09/18/2012
Midyear Update: New Construction Starts to Rise 2%
by Kirsten Barnes McGraw Hill Construction Dodge
(Editors Note: Kirsten Barnes is Strategic Account Manager for McGraw Hill Construction Dodge and is the contact for AGC of Washingtons alliance with Dodge that gives AGC members the lowest prices for bidding tools and market intelligence. Email...
Posted on: 08/06/2012
Tacoma Building Department's New Financial Plan
AGC and other stakeholders have been working with the City of Tacoma’s Building Department to determine how to best fund their permitting efforts. We have been reviewing jurisdictions from around the region to learn about what may best fit Tacoma. See a presentation on this topic.
Posted on: 04/27/2011
State's Capital Budget Means 62,000 Family-Wage Jobs
AGC’s Rick Slunaker and David Johnson Executive Secretary of the Building & Construction Trades Council coauthored a Seattle Times opinion piece that urges passage of a solid Capital Budget to spur $6 billion in increased economic activity. Click Capital Budget to see the article as printed ...