| Government Affairs and Political Action |
Get into politics...or get out of business!
ABC is the AMA, AARP or NRA of the construction industry. As a member, your voice is heard in local, state and national government. ABC has a full-time professional legislative staff to interface with all levels of government (local, state and federal). ABC has become known as "The Voice of Commercial Construction, " protecting you and your business' rights in legislative and regulatory areas.
Ranked as one of the most influential organizations in the courntry by the U.S. Congress (according to surveys of congressional staff and members by Fortune Magazine) ABC remains as committed today as it was when it was founded in 1950 to its three-fold mission of education and safety training, government affairs and member service.
Click on the links below to review ABC's position, efforts and resources on issues important to the construction industry.
2008 Session Priorities
|
Information on MN ABC's 2008 legislative priorities.
|
| ABC Newsline |
Click the link to access the latest issue of Newsline, ABC's national online newsletter. |
Links
|
This is a list of handy links for people interested in the political stuff. |
MN Prevailing Wage Rates Study(PDF)
|
See our legislative brochure that points out how inflated
Prevailing Wage is and see how MN is overpaying for construction projects! |
Grass Roots
|
Get Involved, Get Active, Make a difference |
Find Your Legislator
|
Find out who represents you and how to contact them! |
Full Prevailing Wage Study
|
The Minnesota Taxpayers Association study showing that the
current prevailing wage formula increases state construction costs by up to
11% |
 | Governor Tim Pawlenty signs Executive Order [05-17] promoting and preserving fair competition for state construction contracts. |
November 21, 2005
GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER A VICTORY FOR
MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Minnesota taxpayers and free-market supporters scored a victory today when Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued Executive Order [05-17] promoting and preserving fair competition for state construction contracts, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Minnesota said.
This executive order levels the playing field so that all contractors will be considered for state projects regardless of the firm's union or non-union status. Non-union contractors have contended that the terms of union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) discourage them from bidding on projects. PLAs can force non-union employees to fund benefits for union employees and discourage open competition for state contracts.
“Gov. Pawlenty's leadership on this issue will encourage competition,” said Kent Durenberger, 2005 Chairman of ABC of Minnesota, “ensuring that taxpayers receive the most value for their tax dollars. At the same time, this provides new opportunities to the contractors building communities.
“This issue is critical to taxpayers because union-only PLAs drive down competition for contracts, therefore increasing project costs,” said Robert Heise, president of ABC of Minnesota. “Union-only PLAs discourage qualified and experienced merit shop contractors from offering economical project bids.
“Almost 80% of Minnesota's private construction workforce chooses not to belong to a union. PLAs have the effect of essentially excluding these companies from publicly funded projects. This order will ensure that all contractors have an opportunity to participate in state projects being funded with their own tax dollars.
“Minnesota taxpayers should be pleased to know that Gov. Pawlenty is spending their hard- earned tax dollars on necessary construction projects in a fiscally responsibility manner,” added Heise.
|
