Based on comments during oral arguments on Dec. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court appears divided on an immigration case that could have far-reaching ramifications for construction companies and other businesses. The case, Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting, is important to construction firms. A Pew Hispanic Center study found that “unauthorized migrants” accounted for 14% of the construction workforce in 2005. At issue in the case is whether an Arizona law imposing sanctions on companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants is preempted by federal immigration law. States that have similar laws in place or would like to enact such legislation are
Philadelphia has launched an ambitious 20-year, $1.6-billion stormwater control plan that its creators hope will transform the city’s combined-sewer system and its urban landscape with new shades of green, including bio-mimetic systems. Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Water Dept. Natural rooftop plantings at Philadelphia’s Central Library have reduced stormwater runoff entering the city’s combined-sewer system. Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Water Dept. America’s sixth-largest city aims to convert a third of its impervious asphalt surface—about 4,000 acres—into absorptive green spaces through the use of constructed wetlands, floodplain restoration and the use of rain barrels, porous concrete and green roofs. The goal is
A case with potentially far-reaching ramifications for employers came closer to a decision on Dec. 8 when the nation’s top court heard oral arguments. Photo: AP Customs agents patrol the border at Nogales, Arizona. Related Links: The 2007 Immigration Bill Battle The ‘Death Penalty’ Law and President Obama At issue in the case--Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting--is whether an Arizona law that imposes sanctions on employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants can stand, or whether federal immigration law should preempt the statute. Other states that would like to enact similar legislation or have laws already in place are watching the
Construction and engineering companies—and workers on jobsites or in offices—would benefit from the “framework” of an agreement between President Obama and congressional Republicans on a package of new tax breaks and two-year extensions of current rates and other incentives. The framework deal, which Obama announced on Dec. 6, next goes to Congress. Key Democrats there appear not to be on board yet. Leading Republicans’ initial reactions were positive. Lawmakers must take action by Dec. 31, when many of the tax provisions at issue are slated to lapse. Construction and engineering industry officials like the framework in general and expect its
Reaction to the administration’s decision to put the brakes on future oil and gas leasing development in certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf through 2017 has been divided. Industry groups blasted the decision, saying it would stifle growth. But environmental groups praised the administration for learning from the lessons of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On Dec. 1, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said his agency would modify a proposal, released in March, for the OCS leasing program by choosing to focus resources on planning areas that already have leases for potential future development. Consequently, the area in the eastern
Construction and engineering companies--and individual workers on jobsites or in offices--would benefit from the "framework" of an agreement between President Obama and congressional Republicans on a package of new tax breaks and two-year extensions of current rates and other incentives. White House photo by Pete Souza Obama announces outline of deal with Republicans on taxes The framework deal, which Obama announced on Dec. 6, next goes to Congress. Key Democrats there appear not to be on board yet. Leading Republicans' initial reactions were positive. Lawmakers must take action by Dec. 31, when many of the tax provisions at issue are
The construction industry is keeping a watchful eye on Congress as it prepares to tackle a long list of tax measures that expire on Dec. 31. But with few days left in the lame-duck session, lawmakers may not act by the end of the year on all of the provisions that would give construction and engineering firms a lift, lobbyists say. The first order of business is dealing with income tax cuts dating from the George W. Bush Administration that are set to expire on Dec. 31. Republicans want the cuts to continue for all taxpayers; Democrats favor extending them
Administration officials have put the brakes on future oil and gas leasing development in certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf through 2017, modifying a Dept. of Interior proposal for the OCS leasing program released in March. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said on Dec. 1 that the updated strategy calls for agency officials to focus their efforts on planning areas that already have leases for potential future development. Consequently, the area in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico that remains under a congressional moratorium, as well as the Mid and South Atlantic planning areas, are no longer under consideration for further
As the lame-duck congressional session continues, a further extension for federal highway and transit programs looks more and more likely. The current short-term surface-transportation authorization expires on Dec. 31. Signals have emerged that another stopgap is in the cards. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) told reporters after a Nov. 17 hearing that she is working on a highway-bill extension that would run through the middle of 2011. Boxer’s panel has jurisdiction over highways; other Senate committees oversee transit and highway safety. With a multiyear bill almost certainly dead for the year, outgoing House Transportation and
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Gen. Arnold Fields has come under fire in the Senate. Members of a Homeland Security and Government Affairs subcommittee raised questions at a Nov. 18 hearing about the SIGAR office’s oversight of contract and anti-corruption investigations in the $52-billion reconstruction effort. The reconstruction program includes billions of dollars in construction work. At the subcommittee for contracting oversight hearing, the panel’s chairman, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), contended the IG’s office has “fallen short of the mark.” She said that, for example, although SIGAR became fully funded in June 2009, it had completed only one contract
