FL construction company owners face 5 years in prison for processing $7M in undocumented worker pay

The two men admitted their shell construction company was a front for an undocumented worker check-cashing scheme.

By Kim Slowey • July 7, 2016

MD attorney general: 6-month Purple Line analysis could 'jeopardize' $5.6B project

A group of Chevy Chase, MD, residents are challenging the original ridership analysis for the Purple Line after recent issues related to the existing Metro system.

By Kim Slowey • July 6, 2016

NYC groups push for maximum sentence for contractor in worker death case

Harco Construction was convicted last month of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment in the death of a 22-year-old worker.

By Kim Slowey • July 6, 2016

NJ Gov. Chris Christie halts state highway construction work in wake of failed tax deal

State Democrats said Christie's plan to raise the gas tax in exchange for lowering the sales tax 1% by 2018 would hurt the state's budget.  

By Kim Slowey • July 5, 2016

Trump petitions DC court over taxes for historic post office development

Affiliates of Donald Trump's company maintain that city officials made a mistake in determining taxes on the building, which Trump is converting into a luxury hotel.

By Kim Slowey • July 5, 2016

Portland, OR, approves 1% construction excise tax to spur new affordable housing

The Oregon Legislature repealed the 17-year-old ban on inclusionary housing rules earlier this year and authorized cities and counties to enact excise tax programs.

By Kim Slowey • July 5, 2016

CA revenue bond ballot measure could kill future bullet train funding

If the No Blank Checks Initiative passes, voters would have the final say on revenue bond initiatives of $2 billion or more.

By Kim Slowey • July 5, 2016

Land(fill) of opportunity: Why builders are turning dumps into new developments

As the scarcity of land in hot building markets grows, some developers are setting their sights on landfills to meet demand for residential and commercial space.

By Kim Slowey • July 5, 2016

OSHA announces 78% hike in fines for workplace safety violations to start Aug. 1

A new law passed by Congress in 2015 required the agency's fines to "catch up" to the Consumer Price Index, which hasn't happened since 1990.

By Kim Slowey • July 1, 2016

Big debate over small homes: CO town's claim as tiny house 'capital' of US sparks controversy

Tumbleweed is the nation's largest manufacturer of tiny houses, but activists in other states say that doesn't make its headquarters the center of the movement.

By Kim Slowey • June 30, 2016

Banishing 'cowboys' from the skies: New drone rules encourage safe, expanded construction industry use

One builder said the fact that some companies and drone operators had been eschewing safety practices makes him "appreciate" the new regulations.

By Kim Slowey • June 30, 2016

UPDATE: Santa Clara, CA, approves Related's $6B development proposal on landfill site

The CityPlace project has faced regulatory and impact-related opposition despite representing an estimated $17 million per year payoff for the city.

By Kim Slowey • June 29, 2016

OSHA fines GA contractor $130K for 7th fall protection violation

The agency initiated this latest MMC site inspection as part of its Regional Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction. 

By Kim Slowey • June 28, 2016

Construction groups laud TX court injunction blocking Labor Dept. union 'persuader rule'

Proponents of the rule maintain that it provides employees with access to employer activities during attempts at unionization.

By Kim Slowey • June 28, 2016

6 biggest construction stories in the first half of 2016

From the proliferation of new technologies to major project stumbles, we're taking a look back before diving into Q3.

By Kim Slowey • June 28, 2016

Hunt Construction, CA tribal casino settle 'shoddy work' charges for $20M

Hunt did not accept responsibility for the defective work — claiming it was a warranty issue and the fault of subcontractors, according to the tribe's attorneys.

By Kim Slowey • June 27, 2016

Brexit leaves UK construction industry on shaky ground

The vote to withdraw from the EU has many British construction companies worried about how they will find enough workers amid an already tight labor market.

By Kim Slowey • June 27, 2016

IL contractors prep for potential shutdown of $2B in construction projects amid budget deadlock

Illinois lawmakers could pass a stopgap bill, but if it does not include a provision for construction spending, all IDOT projects will grind to a halt.

By Kim Slowey • June 23, 2016

Denver to shell out $1.4M to clear building permit backlog

The city's Department of Community Planning has been flooded with permit requests during Denver's massive building boom.

By Kim Slowey • June 22, 2016

FAA unveils long-awaited commercial drone rules

The new regulations are big news for construction companies, as firms no longer need to apply for exemptions to use UAVs.

By Kim Slowey • June 22, 2016

'Truly no better option': H-2B visas for construction workers spark industry controversy

Although construction uses less than 5% of H-2B foreign worker visas, industry groups are split on how this program impacts U.S. jobs.

By Kim Slowey • June 21, 2016

$1B TEX Rail set to open in 2018, still awaiting federal funds

Some TEX Rail opponents maintain the decision to proceed with the high-speed train system should have been up for a Tarrant County vote.

By Kim Slowey • June 21, 2016

'Sham' IL WBE contractor convicted of fraud

Prosecutors said Elizabeth Perino allowed her certified woman-owned business to be used as a shell by larger contractors to meet minority goals on public projects.

By Kim Slowey • June 20, 2016

US, Canada fail to reach softwood lumber deal

The countries are currently operating under an agreement on softwood lumber — a crucial product for residential construction — that expired last year.

By Kim Slowey • June 20, 2016

OSHA fines 2 Vikings stadium builders $173K in worker's death

Both Mortenson and Berwald Roofing are contesting the fines, which resulted from an August 2015 incident when two workers slid down the stadium's roof.

By Kim Slowey • June 17, 2016