CMEF awarded $30,000 donation from SMRP
Construction & Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF), the educational affiliate of ABC of Greater Houston, has received a donation of $30,000 from the Houston Chapter of the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP). The funds will be used toward crane training and educating craft professionals in the Houston area.
"We feel confident that this donation will help us further our training objectives and encourage craft professionals to seek education to further their overall career development," said CMEF Vice President of Education and Workforce Development Michael Richter.
For more information, visit www.cmefhouston.org or www.smrp.org.
ABC economist predicts stable 2018 construction economy
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu predicts stability for the construction industry's economy and expanding nonresidential construction spending in 2018. While construction project backlog and contractor confidence remain high heading into the new year, Basu warns there are risks to the 2018 outlook, as a number of potential cost increases could come into play.
"For now, there is plentiful momentum," said Basu. "A recent reading of the Conference Board's Index of Leading Economic Indicators suggests that the U.S. economy will enter 2018 with substantial momentum. Corporate earnings remain healthy. Global growth is accelerating. Consumers are upbeat. Tax cuts could fuel faster business spending. All of this suggests that the construction recovery that began in earnest in 2011 may have a few more birthdays ahead."
For more information, visit www.abc.org or call (202) 595-1505.
OSHA extends operator certification deadline to 2018
OSHA has published a Final Rule delaying its deadline for crane operators to be certified by one year -- until Nov. 10, 2018. OSHA is also extending its employer duty to ensure crane operators are competent to operate a crane safely for the same one-year period.
OSHA believes an additional year will be sufficient to complete work addressing the two issues that have concerned industry: whether operators need to be certified by type and capacity or just by type, and whether certification is sufficient by itself to deem an operator qualified to operate a crane.
OSHA has again reaffirmed its intention, first noted in its submission to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health in 2015, "to propose removing the capacity component of certification." OSHA also notes it would be unfair to employers to enforce the certification requirement "before completing the separate rulemaking to change that criteria." OSHA states it currently is "not prepared to make a determination whether certification alone is insufficient" in determining whether an operator is qualified.
For more information, visit www.nccco.org or call (703) 560-2391.
Tax reform to lower rates, spur growth, benefit construction employers
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) CEO Stephen E. Sandherr recently commented on the final passage of federal tax reform:
"Congress passed comprehensive tax reform legislation that will lower rates, spur economic growth and impact construction businesses for years to come.
"AGC continued to fight for a better outcome for the construction industry by undertaking a rigorous direct lobbying campaign. Our efforts helped convince members of Congress to ultimately reduce the corporate rate by 14 points, lower individual and pass through rates, double the estate and gift tax exclusion to $11 million, ensure the tax-exempt status of Private Activity Bonds remained untouched and prevent full repeal of the Historic Tax Credit.
"Though Congress missed an opportunity to address the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund via tax reform, we remain focused on ensuring that this administration keeps its promise to rebuild the nation's infrastructure. And we are committed to efforts to modernize multiemployer pension plans for the future, among other priorities for the industry."
For more information, visit www.agc.org or call (703) 548-3118.