New York contractors ask Gov. Cuomo to repeal state Scaffold Law

Business groups including the Associated Builders and Contractors Empire Chapter argue that the law makes doing business in the state too expensive for contractors, especially in light of coronavirus-related impediments.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 2, 2020

PPP forgiveness approvals could begin soon, SBA says

The Small Business Administration has received more than 96,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness applications but has approved none, according to the agency's chief of staff.

By Dan Ennis, Jenn Goodman • Oct. 1, 2020

Former Bloomberg construction exec sentenced to more than 3 years in prison

Anthony Guzzone, former director of global construction at Bloomberg LP, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges stemming from his role in $6 million pay-to-play bribery schemes.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Jan. 21, 2021

Trump order bans 'divisive' diversity training for federal contractors, subs

The directive follows a White House memorandum advising federal agencies not to spend taxpayer money on "anti-American propaganda training sessions."

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 29, 2020

Michigan fines 12 construction-related businesses for COVID-19 violations

“The employers that are doing nothing and essentially thumbing their noses at the CDC and health agencies" will get noticed by state and federal authorities, according to a construction attorney.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 24, 2020

Labor Department proposes revision of independent contractor test

DOL wants to provide more clarity for employers to determine who is an independent contractor or employee, but a legal expert said contractors should follow stricter state laws where applicable.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2020

What to do when an employee is afraid to return to the jobsite due to COVID-19

If an employee refuses to work although there is no imminent danger, "the courts have made it clear that those employees don’t have to be paid," says a human resources expert.

By Kate Tornone • Sept. 17, 2020

More than 60 projects expedited by Trump executive order waiving environmental regulations

Newly released documents provide details into some of the infrastructure projects that have been sped up by the Trump administration to help hasten the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 17, 2020

AIA paper offers guidance on the difference between delegated design and design assist

Both collaborative methods put contractors in the position of offering input that can influence the overall project.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 16, 2020

Federal court says DOL joint-employer rule 'arbitrary and capricious'; ABC says judge 'got it wrong'

A federal court judge found that the Labor Department's new rule is in conflict with the Fair Labor Standards Act's broader definition. The Associated Builders and Contractors contends the judge "misapplied precedent" and suggests an appeal.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 15, 2020

Payroll tax deferral program could leave employers holding the bag

Firms that allow workers to defer Social Security taxes this year could face the liability of repaying the taxes themselves, according to an ADP executive.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 11, 2020

Engineer finds a portion of Texas border wall at risk of failing

Delivered as part of a lawsuit against We Build the Wall, a new report claims that Fisher Sand and Gravel's work on part of the U.S.-Mexico border wall was done without ensuring that it would not "cause more harm than good."

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 11, 2020

Black workers file lawsuit against Mitsubishi Electric US for racial harassment, discrimination

The plaintiffs, four employees in the company's elevator and escalator business, claim that the company did not take timely action after they complained about alleged racist behavior by supervisors and other workers.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 10, 2020

Work resumes at Amazon distribution center site after deadly accident

The two men killed earlier this month at the Suffolk, Virginia, jobsite worked for Louisiana-based Eastern Constructors, which has seen other employees killed or injured in workplace incidents in recent years.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Sept. 15, 2020

PPP loan forgiveness could result in big tax bills

Unless Congress intervenes, the IRS will not allow businesses to write off wages and rent paid for with Paycheck Protection Program funds, something many contractors are unaware of, according to one expert.

By Jennifer Goodman , Joe Bousquin • Aug. 31, 2020

Electrical sub to pay $1.25M to settle discrimination claims at Apple jobsite

The ruling sends a message that subcontractors as well as general contractors must take prompt, effective action to stop harassment and hate speech, said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

By Lisa Burden • Aug. 31, 2020

Justice Department indicts Minnesota contractor for $841K PPP loan fraud

Kyle Brenizer applied for and received a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan under the name of his defunct construction company and allegedly submitted false employee and tax information.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 28, 2020

Contractors file $16M of liens on Royal Caribbean's Miami headquarters project

The cruise firm has halted work on capital projects because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on its new $300 million corporate campus that broke ground last year.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 26, 2020

Racism saps safety and profits from construction, owners say

Executives from Microsoft and Compass Datacenters issued a call to action to stamp out hate in the construction industry, saying it stifles productivity and keeps talented workers away.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 21, 2020

NYC announces new PLAs, community hiring initiative

Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration entered into new Project Labor Agreements with trade unions and has proposed state legislation requiring contractors to hire low-income New Yorkers.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 18, 2020

The new PPE your workforce shouldn't be without

Proximity Trace is helping general contractors protect their workers and maintain safety protocols on site.

Aug. 13, 2020

Judge denies FIGG's request to lift highway administration suspension

A district judge ruled Monday not to rescind the Federal Highway Administration suspension imposed on FIGG Bridge Engineers, which was involved in the deadly Florida International University bridge collapse in 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Aug. 18, 2020

Skanska, DPR, Schneider Electric face VR/AR patent infringement lawsuits

There are steps contractors can take to be prepared for such a claim, according to an intellectual property attorney.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 11, 2020

Appeals court upholds $687K builders risk exclusion on Balfour Beatty project

The court found that the risk policy for a Houston office building did not cover damage to the windows caused by slag from welding operations by subcontractor Milestone Metals. 

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 10, 2020

Former Turner exec pleads guilty to charges based on $1.5M in bribes

Ronald Olson pleaded guilty in federal court to tax evasion and faces New York state charges related to bribery and bid rigging.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 6, 2020