With the death of House Speaker Michael E. Busch at the end of last session and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr.’s retirement, advocates for progressive policies are optimistic; the Associated Builders and Contractors, however, have adopted more of a ‘wait-and-see’ approach. Over the past few years, Maryland builders have witnessed the passage of a number of measures – …
The 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned on April 8, 2019. The session concluded on a sad note with the passing of longtime Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch. Following the November elections, 17 new Senators and 43 new Delegates took their seats at the beginning of the session in January which changed the composition of many …
Last week, a college admissions scandal involving well-to-do families and elite colleges shocked and outraged the nation. But there’s an equally outrageous academic story that doesn’t get enough attention, and it’s been going on for years, too: The dismantling of trade programs at the high school level. When our children are young, we always tell them, you can be whatever …
The good intentions of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program, HB 341, may be overshadowed by the long-term negative impact it would have not just on the construction industry, but also the small business community and Maryland’s economic bottom line. The legislation would provide up to 12 weeks of benefits to an employee who is taking partially paid or …
By Mark McDaniel, president of NLP Enterprises and Chairman of the ABC Joint Legislative Committee A series of modest tax breaks promoted during Governor Larry Hogan’s recent State of the State address are a good start, but they don’t go far enough to make Maryland as economically competitive as our neighbors. There’s no denying the state of Maryland has turned an …
The Maryland General Assembly will convene in Annapolis Wednesday, for its annual 90-day session that runs through April 8th. ABC members are not alone when asking the perennial question, “Well, what should I expect?” Below are some of the business and construction issues that Maryland legislators have hinted at taking up during the 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly. …
On February 24th, the four ABC Maryland chapters hosted its annual ‘We Build Maryland’ Legislative Reception at the Maryland Inn in Annapolis. The goal of the event is for members and legislators to interact and discuss legislation effecting member companies. Many legislators attended and discussed issues facing Maryland’s construction industry with industry leaders including: Workforce development: There exists no bigger issue …
Last session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 1 (HB1), the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, an employer mandate concerning paid sick and safe leave (sick leave). Under the terms of HB 1, employers that employ 15 or more employees shall permit allow their employees, whether full or part time, to accrue after their first 106 days of employment …
Small business interests and the merit shop construction industry were mostly well-served by Maryland legislators this legislative session. Here’s a breakdown of bills ABC supported and passed, opposed and were defeated, and those we still must convince the Maryland legislature they do more harm than good. Those with an asterisk* below were priority issues for ABC and given the most …
These days, it seems like every elected official in Maryland is talking about apprenticeship. As one of the largest providers of apprenticeship training in the state, and long-time advocates that public schools need to embrace career paths other than college for high school graduates, we are very encouraged. But while we are encouraged apprenticeship is getting some long-over-due respect, we …