News
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
Make your voice be heard: VOTE!
Late next week, you will receive your ballots for the Nov. 3 general election. AGC’s BUILD PAC 2015 general-election endorsements are listed here.
Posted on 10/13/2015
October Retro Think-Tank meeting schedule announced
Mark your calendar and don’t miss your upcoming October EMR Think Tank meeting! You can leave the meetings with your 2016 proposed EMR and valuable information that will save you time and money by lowering your L&I rates and maximizing your premium refund.
Posted on 09/28/2015
NLRB’s joint-employer decision could have implications in construction
While employers were troubled by the National Labor Relations Board’s decision to issue a complaint against McDonald’s last year based on the alleged unfair labor relations acts of its franchisors, the Board’s pending Browning-Ferris decision represented more potential downside for the construction industry based on the Board’s potential expansion of the definition of “joint employers.”
Posted on 09/28/2015
AGC of America comments on CMGC proposal
The MAP-21 transportation bill allows states to use the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC, also known as GCCM) contracting method for Federal-aid highway projects. The Federal Highway Administration has now proposed the regulations that will govern how this contracting method can be used.
Posted on 09/28/2015
State Supreme Court rules that gas tax rebates to Tribes are constitutional
AGC and allies within the business community lost a legal battle recently when the State Supreme Court ruled that gas-tax rebates to tribes are constitutional.
Posted on 09/28/2015
Comment sought for proposed State Building Code Council rules
The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is conducting rulemaking to update the State Building Code. The council is seeking public comments on proposed rules through Oct. 23.
Posted on 09/28/2015
Is your subcontractor an ‘independent contractor'? GCs could be at risk.
The DOL now says carpenters, construction workers and electricians may be misclassified as independent contractors, and that most workers are employees.
Posted on 09/28/2015
New SEPA exemptions for structurally deficient bridges
Planning is now underway for new SEPA exemptions for certain structurally deficient bridges.
Posted on 08/25/2015
All endorsed candidates advance after primary
All of the state and local candidates endorsed by AGC’s BUILD PAC survived the August 4 primary and will appear on the November ballot.
Posted on 08/07/2015
US Senate passes long-term highway bill; focus now on the House
The US Senate passed a six-year transportation reauthorization bill – the first time in years that an actual long-term bill was passed rather than a “kick the can down the road” short-term fix. Now it’s up to the House.
Posted on 08/07/2015
Washington State still has highest workers' comp benefit costs
Latest figures show that Washington States benefits costs per worker are the highest in the nation at $827.
Posted on 08/25/2015
Is your subcontractor an 'independent contractor?' GCs could be at risk.
The DOL now says carpenters construction workers and electricians may be misclassified as independent contractors and that most workers are employees.
Posted on 08/25/2015
Inslee creates subcabinet to boost business diversity
Gov. Jay Inslee convened a new subcabinet focused on increasing access for small and minority- women- and veteran-owned businesses to contracting opportunities with Washington State government.
The Governor said diverse businesses make up only about 1 percent of the $6.1 billion that the state s...
Posted on 08/07/2015
Gov. Inslee developing regulatory cap on carbon emissions
Gov. Jay Inslee recently directed the state Department of Ecology to step up enforcement of existing state pollution laws and develop a regulatory cap on carbon emissions. The Governor said the regulatory cap on carbon emissions would force a significant reduction in air pollution and will be the...
Posted on 08/07/2015
2015 Construction Adventure Camp wows kids once again
The AGC Education Foundation recently completed its 2015 Construction Adventure Camp with students getting plenty of hands-on science technology engineering and math experience.
Photo: Students from the Seattle Nativity School enjoy hands-on construction experience as they build their toolchests...
Posted on 08/07/2015
Volunteer sought for soil and sediment workgroup
AGC is looking for a volunteer to serve on the Soil and Sediment Workgroup a committee established by the Department of Ecology for the purposes of providing input on new solid-waste rulemaking activity. The workgroup will be creating definitions of clean soil which will include numeric analytica...
Posted on 07/27/2015
Dozens of higher-ed construction projects in new capital budget
More than three-quarters of a billion dollars became available for higher education capital projects thanks to enactment of the AGC-backed 2015-1017 state capital-budget bill. As reported previously in AGC Works the measure includes nearly $4 billion in total funding about $500 million more than ...
Posted on 07/27/2015
Robert Scalzo passes at 92
Robert Joseph Bob Scalzo born May 20 1923 passed away on June 14 2015 after a brief illness. Bob was predeceased in 2005 by his beloved wife of 57 years Mary Celeste Alfieri Scalzo. He is survived by his loving partner Josephine Jody Root nine children: Kathy (Colin Leech-Porter) Celeste Mulroone...
Posted on 07/14/2015
Latest LEARN event features Yakima project
While state legislators had their eye on the finish line last week AGC was busy making sure they didn’t lose focus on issues impacting construction. On Thursday July 9 Tri-Ply Construction hosted representatives from the 13th 14th and 15th districts on a jobsite tour of the new Plath Hall project...
Posted on 07/13/2015
William "Bill" Dickson passes at 96
Bill was a constant presence in the Puget Sound and Washington State construction industry since the founding of the William Dickson Company in 1940 serving actively as company president from 1971 until his passing in his 96th year.
Posted on 06/15/2015
AGC's BUILD PAC 2015 primary election endorsements
AP Hurd of Touchstone Development presents AGC of Washington's BUILD PAC's 2015 endorsees at AGC's Meet the Endorsed Candidates event on July 9.
Posted on 07/13/2015
$16 billion transportation plan passes Legislature!
Completion of State Routes 167 and 509 the North-South Corridor in Spokane and the west end of the 520 bridge – projects decades in the making – will actually come to pass thanks to final passage of the comprehensive transportation-funding package.
Thanks to a relentless push by AGC and allies i...
Posted on 07/13/2015
Draft construction-stormwater general permit released; comments welcome
DOE has issued a draft construction-stormwater general permit to be effective Jan. 1 2016. Comments on the draft will be accepted through August 1. Any AGC member interested in commenting on the draft through a coordinated effort may contact AGC’s Chief Lobbyist Jerry VanderWood 360.352.5000.From...
Posted on 07/13/2015
Design-build, permit reform, practical design among bills signed by Governor
As complements to the transportation revenue package the Legislature passed AGC-backed bills that improve permitting processes and authorize expanded use of design-build. On July 6 Governor Inslee signed the following bills into law. Click the links below for additional information.
In photo AGC...