Related Links: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 census of fatal occupational injuries Construction workplace deaths declined 6.8% in 2011, to 721 from 774 in 2010 and the industry's fatality rate also was down, to 8.9 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, from 9.8 in 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.BLS said that the 2011 data in its annual report on fatal occupational injuries, released on Sept. 20, are preliminary. It will issue final numbers for 2011 next spring.The bureau's data show that the number of construction deaths generally has been on a downward path in recent years. The industry's
Related Links: OMB Sequestration Report CBO MAP-21 Analysis, Including Highway Trust Fund Status Unless Congress acts, federal construction programs face cuts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars on Jan. 2. The 2011 Budget Control Act mandates $1.2 trillion in "sequestration" cuts over 10 years because the House and Senate failed to pass a deficit-reduction plan last year.The 2013 sequestration share is $109 billion, which would be split between defense and non-defense sectors. An Office of Management and Budget report, released on Sept. 14, estimates individual defense accounts would be sliced 9.4% and non-defense programs would face 8.2% cuts.Construction programs would
Related Links: Congressional Budget Office Detailed Estimate of Continuing Resolution Text of Continuing Resolution Congress at press time was nearing approval of a temporary spending bill that would avert a shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1 and keep construction and other programs running through the first six months of fiscal year 2013. It would boost funding slightly over 2012 levels.Some key Senate Democrats blasted the highway-and-transit funding portion of the new continuing resolution (CR), saying it falls short of the amounts in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), signed into law on July 6.
Ports and inland waterways need an additional $6 billion to deepen harbors and overhaul river locks through 2020, says a new American Society of Civil Engineers report.
Related Links: Summary of House-passed stopgap bill Senate Democrats' letter on CR's highway, transit funding cut vs. MAP-21 The House has approved a temporary spending measure that would avert a shutdown of federal agencies on Oct. 1 and keep federal construction and other programs operating through the first six months of fiscal year 2013.House passage of the continuing resolution (CR) came on Sept. 13, on a 223-196 vote. The next step is action by the Senate, which is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on the measure on Sept. 19.The CR, which would extend to March 27, 2013, provides a
Related Links: Civilian BRAC Bill to Dispose of Excess Federal Assets Faces Challenges in Senate GSA Blasted at House Hearings Tough challenges await Dorothy Robyn when she takes over as the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service commissioner in a few weeks.The Dept. of Defense deputy undersecretary for installations and environment moves to PBS at a time when the White House and Capitol Hill critics want to trim the agency's vast real estate portfolio. Robyn also inherits a sharply reduced construction budget. Further, she joins GSA after a regional PBS office was tarnished by scandal in the spring for sponsoring
Photo by AP Wideworld Obama continues to call for more infrastructure funding, but deficit worries are likely to squeeze public works and other programs. Related Links: Democratic Party 2012 National Platform When it comes to critical issues, such as infrastructure spending and regulatory policy, construction-industry officials have a clear idea of what to expect if President Obama wins re-election. In short, they expect a second Obama administration would pursue the legislative and regulatory priorities it has followed since 2009.This déjà vu picture has a second aspect: With Republicans predicted to keep control of the House and at least narrow Democrats'
Related Links: White House, Congressional Leaders Strike Deal on Budget Key House Vote Looms in September for U.S.-Russia Trade Bill As the House and Senate return from their August recess, little action is expected before lawmakers leave again in early October to campaign for the Nov. 6 elections. The only must-pass pre-election bill affecting construction programs is a temporary spending measure to keep federal agencies operating through March 2013.Construction-equipment companies and other business groups are hopeful Congress also will pass a trade bill aimed at boosting U.S. exports to Russia.Jay Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association executive vice president, says, "I
Related Links: Bureau of Labor Statistics release, with data tables AGC statement ABC Chief Economist's statement Building and Construction Trades Dept. President's statement Construction’s unemployment rate continued to head downward in August, dipping to 11.3% from July’s 12.3%, but the industry posted a gain of just 1,000 jobs last month.The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest monthly employment status report, released on Sept. 7, also showed that construction’s jobless rate last month was better than the 13.5% level for August 2011.But industry officials said one factor behind the construction unemployment rate’s decline is that many workers have left the construction industry.Stephen
Photo courtesy of AP Worldwide Some in the construction industry are waiting for more information on Romney's plans. Related Links: GOP Platform Romney Energy Plan Would Ramp Up Domestic Production News Analysis: A Mitt Romney administration would knock down regulatory hurdles that get in the way of contractors and depart from President Obama's policies on labor and taxes. But how much a Romney administration would cut transportation and water infrastructure spending remains something of an open question, several sources say."I don't think anybody knows. The truth of the matter is, there is not a specific plank in either candidate's platform"
