Skilled Construction Trades and Respected Contractors
Building Wisconsin Together ®
Welcome to Construction Business Group's Industry Updates. This monthly e-newsletter will help us communicate the important initiatives that we have underway and relevant updates on issues that impact Wisconsin's construction industry.  
Message from Executive Director Robb Kahl
Show Your Support for the Infrastructure Bill
The Biden administration and a bi-partisan group of U.S. senators are close to an agreement on a nearly $1 trillion package that includes significantly increased funding for transportation infrastructure. It is expected to also include a five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation legislation, a version of which passed the House of Representatives last month.

CBG has worked with contractors and the building trades sending various letters and executing outreach efforts to encourage Senate passage of the infrastructure bill before Congress adjourns for its August recess. Now we are requesting as many contractors as possible help get the industry message to Wisconsin Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin. Below is a link to the ARTBA Grassroots Action Center with a simple, direct message. All you need to do is fill in your contact information:


Thank you for your assistance in this effort that will solidify our investment in federal infrastructure for the next several years.
Building Wisconsin Together®
Save the Date!
Externship Days: November 8-9th

The Wisconsin Operating Engineers' Externship Day is an opportunity for students, parents and educators to: 

  • Tour the training center, including the indoor training arena
  • Test their skill on equipment simulators
  • Gain hands-on experience with mini-excavators
  • Learn about apprenticeship opportunities
  • Interact with current apprentices and Operators
  • Hear from employers about opportunities that exist and what they are seeking in employees
 
Watch for details soon on the November dates!
Building Wisconsin Together®
From the News Stand
SE WI Transportation Symposium is October 8
A free symposium focusing on transportation issues in southeastern Wisconsin will be held on Friday, Oct. 8, on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Sponsored by WisDOT and the UWM Institute for Physical Infrastructure and Transportation, the daylong program will feature 21 breakout presentations across seven topic areas, as well as keynote addresses by WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson and the director of U.S. DOT's Office of Research, Development & Technology.
 
Bill Holds Tran. Fund Harmless from Tax Repeal
Also this week, the Legislature approved a bill that eliminates the personal property tax that is assessed on businesses for items such as furniture, equipment, machinery and fixtures. It is estimated to save businesses approximately $200 million each year.
 
The move will likely lead to the loss of revenue from the ad valorem tax on railroad rolling stock, which generates approximately $45 million each year for the Transportation Fund. WTBA's lobbying efforts led to a last-minute amendment to Assembly Bill 191 this week that transfers an additional $64 million from the General Fund to the Transportation Fund -- essentially holding the Transportation Fund harmless in the 2021-23 budget from the expected loss in revenues.
 
The bill now goes to Gov. Evers for his consideration.
Groups Outline Concerns with Buy America
WTBA and other construction organizations sent a letter to Wisconsin's Congressional delegation this week outlining concerns with Buy America provisions that could result in material shortages and price increases. Current Buy America proposals include a requirement that all manufacturing processes for construction materials purchased through federal programs occur in the United States. This means that some imported construction material inputs such as asphalt binder and additives, cement, and aggregate would be prohibited in Wisconsin projects. If enacted as currently written, these proposals will likely result in material shortages, significant cost increases, project delays and cancellations, and the loss of Wisconsin jobs.
 
It urges the state's Congressional delegation to support an exemption for construction materials in any Buy America provisions, as has been the case for many years regardless of the administration's political leanings.
 
Construction Business Group | 608-240-4170 | www.cbgwi.com