Archive for March 2021

ASA Urges Congress to Extend PPP Program to December 31, 2021 ASA, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations representing small businesses, urges Congress to extend the deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through December 31, 2021.  Congress created the PPP through passage of the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

ASA Responds Again to Pending OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Standard ASA, along with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), sent a second letter to OSHA outlining several issues the agency should consider while they deliberate the need for an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19.  Per the letter, “we call on OSHA to be more transparent…

Business View Magazine Interview with ASA COO, Richard Bright Business View Magazine recently did an interview with ASA Chief Operating Officer, Richard Bright. In the interview they highlighted the incredible work that ASA members have been doing and the importance of the organization. Click here to read the full article. Return to the ASAToday page…

U.S. Department of Labor Delays Independent Contractor Rule On Tuesday, March 2, 2021, the U.S. Labor Department has delayed implementation of the Trump Administration’s rule to classify workers as independent contractors.  Per President Biden’s Inauguration Day Directive to freeze all pending regulations, this rule will now be effective on May 7, 2021; however, DOL’s Wage…

IRAP Rule Reversed President Biden reversed a 2017 Trump Executive Order that called for the Labor Department to launch industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs).  The Biden administration will instead focus on the Labor Department’s traditional registered apprenticeships.  The IRAP model would give employers more flexibility in training workers without the registered apprenticeship process.  The industry-recognized system…

Construction Dive Highlights ASA Houston Video Construction Dive has featured a video produced by the Houston Chapter of ASA. In the video, “Essential: A Tribute to Construction Working Through COVID”, essential workers discuss everything from the rapid changes that needed to be addressed on the jobsite, to being a primary breadwinner for a family when…

Earmarks May Return Last Friday Chair DeLauro outlined the framework of community project funding known as earmarks.  In addition to adhering to the House Rules (House Rules XXI and XXIII), the House Appropriations Committee is enforcing a series of reforms to guarantee that Community Project Funding is dedicated to genuine need and not subject to abuse.  Earmarks…

Upcoming Events from Foundation Software Foundation Software Presents “Anirban Basu and the Chamber of Data,” a 2021 Construction Economic Forecast on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Join renowned economist Anirban Basu for this free webinar as he outlines key economic indicators of the pre-pandemic and pandemic world to ultimately provide an economic forecast for this year…

President Biden Opposes Raising the Federal Gasoline Tax Last Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg said that President Biden opposes raising the federal gasoline tax because it would violate his pledge to not raise taxes on middle-class Americans.  Per Secretary Buttigieg, “the President’s made a commitment that this administration will not raise taxes on people making…