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See what delivers results and keep up to date with important news topics within our industry.
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Trump prolongs shutdown in hopes of $5.7B 'steel barrier' at US-Mexico border
UPDATE: January 9, 2018: President Donald Trump, in a televised address from the Oval Office on Tuesday, reiterated his intention to prolong the partial federal government shutdown until Democrats and other members of Congress grant his $5.7 billion funding request to help build a steel barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Gov. Justice: Revenue Collections show state has biggest surplus in history for first six months of any fiscal year
Gov. Jim Justice announced today that December General Revenue Fund collections came in $44.8 million over projections and pushed the Fiscal Year 2019 collections to $185.9 million above estimates, resulting in the biggest surplus in the state's history during the first six months of any fiscal year
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Shop class is back, ready to tackle the construction skills gap
Shop class is making a comeback in Texas, where immigration enforcement has left the construction industry with a lack of skilled workers,
Dallas News reported
. The Dallas-Fort Worth area alone is short about 20,000 to 30,000 construction workers.
Once cut from the curriculum in many high schools and community colleges, shop is back, with a focus on skills like math that can set students up for high-paying jobs. In Texas, construction wages have almost hit $28.50 per hour, about $2.00 more than average private sector earnings, according to Dallas News.
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Pittsburgh creates construction fraud task force
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7 trends that will shape commercial construction in 2019
Is a trend really a trend if it repeats year after year? That's a valid concern in the commercial construction world. For a competitive and fragmented industry that happens to be resistant to some of the rapid evolution noted in others, participants and observers are continually seeing some of the same glacial movements take center stage.
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Tread lightly in new risk territory, for landmines await
Risk was the name of the game at the 2018 Construction SuperConference in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week. Arbitration lawyers spoke about the importance of mitigating risk by spotting "landmines" early in the preconstruction phase — when the contract is still being written.
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Exoskeleton suit allows construction workers to lift 200 lbs
Sarcos Robotics recently announced technology advancements to its Guardian XO Max full-body, all-electric, battery-powered industrial exoskeleton robotic system that is capable of allowing a human operator to safely lift and manipulate up to 200 pounds,
the company said
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Construction Costs and How to Manage Them
Since the economy rebounded from the Great Recession, rising construction costs have become a hot topic in the real estate community, particularly here in Colorado, where growth has outpaced the national average and it seems like a new building goes up every day.
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The 2019 version of the WV Legislature is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 30th. Keeping with custom, Governor Justice will kick off the legislative session with his annual state of the state address. Justice is expected to outline his policy initiatives as well as his budget prerogatives for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
While revenues remain strong, Governor Justice has already committed significant dollars to shore up PEIA as well as another 5% salary increase for teachers and state employees.
The Senate leadership team remains mostly intact except for the replacement of Majority Leader. Kanawha County Senator Tom Takubo has been named to replace former Majority Leader Ryan Ferns who lost his re-election bid in November. Takubo is a practicing physician who vacates the Chair of the Health Committee. Marshall County Senator Mike Maroney will replace Takubo as head of Health. Maroney is a practicing radiologist. Senator Ryan Wells continues to be Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee and Majority Whip.
The Senate democrats will continue to be led by Minority Leader and Marion County Senator, Roman Prezioso. Kanawha County Senator Corey Palumbo will serve as assistant Minority Leader.
Unlike the Senate leadership, the House has undergone significant leadership changes. Foremost is the election of a new Speaker, Clay County Delegate Roger Hanshaw and a new Majority Leader in Taylor County Delegate Amy Summers. Barley County Delegate Eric Householder will replace Delegate Erik Nelson as Chairman of the powerful Finance Committee.
Delegate Erika Storch, R- Ohio County, retains her chairmanship of the Political Subdivision Committee and Hancock County Delegate Pat McGeehan will continue to Chair the Committee of Veterans Affairs.
In other political news, Governor Justice has recently named former State Senator Ed Gaunch as the new Commerce Secretary. Gaunch replaces former Secretary Woody Thrasher who left the position months ago.
Pat McCune OVCEC Political Consultant
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After eight years of Governor John Kasich’s political reign, newly elected Governor Mike DeWine and his Lt. Governor, Jon Husted, will be inaugurated in Columbus next weekend. The official administration replacement date is January 14. DeWine is expected to begin announcing his cabinet members and other key administrative appointees in the coming two weeks.
Currently, long time aid and political loyalist, Laurel Dawson, has been named as the Governor elect’s Chief of Staff. DeWine also announce the appointment of Assistant AG, Mary Mertz , to head the important Department of Natural Resources. Dan McCarthy has been appointed LegislativeWe will report the new members of the DeWine administration as they are made public.
“The Ohio House of Representatives has been embroiled in a contentious Speakers race since Rep. Ryan Smith was elected as a temporary Speaker this summer to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Cliff Rosenberger. Rosenberg resigned under the pressure of Department of Justice scrutiny. That bitter fight ended yesterday when Speaker Smith lost in his bid for a full two year Speaker term. Former Speaker and current Representative Larry Householder won a hotly contested vote by a 52-46 majority. Householder was aided by the unprecedented defection of 28 Democrats who broke party rank to vote for a Republican Speaker. Householder has promised to change some House rules on floor amendments as well as agreeing to limited democratic leadership of new subcommittees on K-12 education, criminal justice and energy.
an unprecedented move, to be stymied by its inability to select its next Speaker for the next legislative session.
Householder was aided by his public commitment to democrats that he would neither seek or support any right to work legislation or any attempts to eliminate or reduce prevailing wage rates. It is important to recognize the work of organized labor in turning many of the democrats to the Householder camp.”
Representative Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, will retain his Minority Leader position in the Ohio General Assembly.
The Ohio Senate leadership remains intact. Senate President Larry Obhof’s, R-Medina, will lead the same leadership team for the next two years. The Senate republicans did not lose a seat to an otherwise strong team of democratic aspirants. Senate Republicans retain their substantial 24-9 margin over Democrats. The Democrats will be led by Senator Ken Yuko, D-Cuyahoga County. Yuko is a former Laborers Local Business Agent.
In other news, Ohio EPA Director, Craig Butler, has announced that his agency has approved all Air and Water Quality permits necessary for PTT to begin construction of an ethylene “cracker” in Belmont County. With this news, there remains no political or regulatory hurdles that might delay or affect the company’s decision to proceed with development. As the saying goes, “the ball is now in their court”.
Pat McCune OVCEC Political Consultant
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OVCEC's Under Construction
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December's Under Construction is in your mailbox!! Here's whats inside....
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Industry News
Legislative Update
By Pat McCune - West Virginia/Ohio
New Optimism In Monroe County
By Jason Hamman
Protecting Your Eyes at Work
By Dr. Lee Favede
Awards & Contracts
Construction Briefs
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OSHA drone inspections come to jobsites, raise legal questions
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The Ultimate List of Safety Tips for Construction Contractors
Individuals who work in construction as licensed contractors have an important but often dangerous job. Opportunities for injuries abound on construction sites, particularly for those who are not aware of the risks. While some accidents result in more serious outcomes than others, any injury a contractor faces can limit their ability to earn an income or negatively impact their reputation moving forward. Below are the most important safety tips for construction contractors working in the industry today.
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Advertising Opportunities
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Put your brand in front of construction execs
Under Construction is our publication reaching hundreds of industry decision makers. Our readers rely on our magazine to deliver news and trends shaping their industry.
Our marketing campaigns can help you position your company as a leader on key industry topics.
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Click below for a listing of physical plans available in OVCEC's plan room.
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What Is the OVCEC Plan Room?
- It is a conveniently located source of construction plans for the Ohio Valley area
- It publishes a weekly Construction Report listing projects out for bid, due dates, apparent low bidders and contracts awarded
- It provides updates on projects throughout the week by email
- It provides online access to plans and specifications for your review and downloading
- It provides bidders lists
- It has staff that will get the plans you need whenever possible
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Submit Plans & Specs
As an Owner or Architect of a project, placing your project plans in the OVCEC Plan Room will help to insure the success of your project.
The Plan Room will:
- Help you publicize your project
- Increase the quantity and quality of bids you receive for your project
- Help you get addenda out to bidders
- Reduce your cost of blueprint duplication by allowing electronic submission to Plan Room Online
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