PPP forgiveness portal opens to business owners

Starting today, the Small Business Administration will allow companies with Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less to apply for forgiveness directly.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 4, 2021

Despite dodging tax hikes in infrastructure bill, contractors could still see higher rates

While U.S. corporations have avoided tax increases in the Senate's proposed plan, public and private contractors could still see rates go up.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 4, 2021

Could 'smart walls' replace barriers at the US-Mexico border?

President Joe Biden's stop-work order on construction of a southern border barrier doesn’t mean the end of contract opportunities for private companies, writes security expert Nelson Balido.

By Nelson Balido • July 28, 2021

Colorado contractor sentenced to jail for employee's trench death

Bryan Johnson also must pay $25,000 in restitution for his role in the 2018 incident that killed Rosario Martinez.

By Jennifer Goodman • July 26, 2021

Why Amazon's updated marijuana drug testing policy could have 'ripple effect'

The approach may spread as employers seek uniform drug-testing policies amid a fractured legal landscape, according to attorney Michael Freimann.

By Ryan Golden • July 23, 2021

Labor secretary calls for additional funding for OSHA

Marty Walsh has requested $2.1 billion for agencies that handle safety and wage inspections, including $73 million for OSHA.

By Sebastian Obando • July 21, 2021

Texas prepares to take bids for border wall construction

The state is seeking a project manager for Gov. Greg Abbott's proposed border wall project.

By Matthew Thibault • July 21, 2021

Nurses call out California hospitals on earthquake retrofits

Hospitals are asking for more time to comply with an earthquake retrofit mandate, a move the California Nurses Association said is driven by profit.

By Joe Bousquin • July 15, 2021

SBA withdraws controversial PPP questionnaire

Although the Small Business Administration has dropped its loan necessity form, Paycheck Protection Program borrowers are still subject to review.

By Jennifer Goodman • July 13, 2021

2 Oregon men plead guilty in $3.4M PPP fraud case

A construction company was one of several businesses used as a front for collecting Paycheck Protection Program funds, according to court documents.

By Jennifer Goodman • July 12, 2021

Condo collapse spurs inspections, questions

After uneven enforcement, Florida municipalities ramp up building inspections as insurers and residents ponder the implications of high-rise living.  

By Joe Bousquin • July 9, 2021

5 strategies construction firms use to lower their taxes

From depreciation and carrying forward losses to research and development credits, public contractors rely on an array of tactics to help minimize tax bills.

By Joe Bousquin • July 8, 2021

Senate bill would create apprenticeship college consortium

The proposal arrived just months after a Trump administration overhaul to the nation's apprenticeship system was rescinded.

By Ryan Golden • July 7, 2021

Survey: Many workers want to keep masking policies, even for vaccinated employees

Respondents also expressed both a desire to keep their own vaccination status private and a belief in their right to know others', resulting in a "challenging privacy paradox."

By Emilie Shumway • July 2, 2021

AEC firms to snare $126B under bipartisan infrastructure deal

A new analysis of the direct impact of the most recent infrastructure proposal projects $416 billion in annual output by 2026, a rise of 18%.

By Joe Bousquin • June 30, 2021

6 multifamily building failures and the changes they produced

Past building disasters have led to enhanced codes and safety improvements for the construction of condos, hotels and other residential structures.

By Jennifer Goodman • June 30, 2021

Engineer's report warned of structural damage prior to condo's collapse

As rescuers continued to comb the rubble for survivors, there were clues to the partial collapse of the 40-year-old building, as a 2018 engineering report warned of "major structural damage" and an academic study found soil settling.

By Joe Bousquin • June 28, 2021

OSHA: Employers may relax COVID-19 measures in fully vaccinated workplaces

The agency also issued a standard that only applies to healthcare, something the AGC called a "significant victory" for the construction industry.

By Ryan Golden • June 14, 2021

Roundup: Protecting workers goes beyond COVID-19 protocols

Even though the threat of COVID-19 infection seems to be declining, construction pros continue to remain vigilant for other health and safety issues.

By Jennifer Goodman • June 4, 2021

OSHA changes course on vaccine recording requirements

In a 180-degree shift in policy, OSHA said that employers do not need to record adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccines.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 26, 2021

Judge dismisses COVID-19 lawsuit from contractor's wife

The federal judge said an employer does not have the same duty to protect family members from COVID-19 as it does its employees on the job. 

By Kim Slowey • May 25, 2021

22 states to end federal COVID-19 unemployment benefits

States are cutting off pandemic benefits, and some are offering bonuses in hopes that their unemployed residents will head back to work.

By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2021

Bechtel settles gender pay claims with $200,000 payment

The Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that Bechtel paid 22 female engineers less than their male counterparts.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2021

Pennsylvania lawmaker proposes legislation to prevent 'change order scheming' on state projects

State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill wants to require Pennsylvania agencies to consider evidence of deceptive change order practices when evaluating bids.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2021

VP Harris convenes first White House labor task force meeting

"When workers organize, our economy gets stronger," Vice President Kamala Harris said at the inaugural gathering.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 19, 2021