Lawsuit Flushes Project Labor Agreement Scheme on Massachusetts Wastewater Facility
ABC’s Massachusetts chapter and a coalition of local merit shop contractors successfully blocked the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s scheme for a project labor agreement mandate on a $325 million water filtration plant. “Notwithstanding the lip service the PLA pays to being open to all bidders, it most assuredly is not,” wrote Hampden Superior Court […]
A Win for Fair and Open Competition: Wyoming Passes Law Restricting Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
Associated Builders and Contractors praised the Wyoming legislature and Gov. Mark Gordon for enacting SF 147, the Fair and Open Competition Act, which protects Wyoming taxpayers by ensuring all of the state’s skilled construction workforce can compete on a level playing field for contracts to build state, state-assisted and local public works projects. Once in […]
ABC Applauds Passage of Texas Law Ensuring Fair and Open Competition
Following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) signature of HB 985, a total of 25 states have enacted laws restricting controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on public works projects procured by the state and/or receiving state funding. The measure will benefit taxpayers, the construction industry and free enterprise.
Washington Times Publishes TheTruthAboutPLAs Op-Ed Celebrating Kentucky’s Fair and Open Competition Law
The Washington Times published this op-ed by TheTruthAboutPLAs.com touting the benefits of fair and open competition following the passage of a Kentucky law (HB 135) restricting controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on state and local public works construction projects (“Let’s welcome all Americans to rebuild America’s infrastructure,” 4/1/19): On March 21, Gov. Matt Bevin, R-Ky., […]
New Kentucky Law a Win-Win for Construction Industry, State Economy, Says ABC
Law will ensure fair and open competition on public works construction contracts WASHINGTON, March 25—Associated Builders and Contractors lauded Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) today for signing into law the Fair and Open Competition Act (HB 135), which ensures all of Kentucky’s skilled construction workforce and qualified businesses can compete on a level playing field […]
Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Arizona Law Restricting Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
In a win for taxpayers and free enterprise, on March 11, 2019, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Arizona State Building and Construction Trades Council that aimed to block enforcement of parts of a pro-taxpayer Arizona law restricting government-mandated project labor agreements on certain public works construction projects. This is the latest legal victory for supporters of Fair and Open Competition Act laws across the country.
Missouri Passes Law Restricting Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
Yesterday Gov. Eric Greitens (R-Mo.) signed legislation into law that will promote fair and open competition on contracts for construction services funded by Missouri taxpayers. SB 182, the Fairness in Public Construction Act, ensures controversial project labor agreements (PLAs) cannot be mandated by the government on state, state-assisted and local construction projects, guaranteeing that almost three […]
A Win For Taxpayers and Free Enterprise: Wisconsin Is 23rd State to Pass Law Restricting Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
On April 17, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed SB 3 into law, which promotes fair and open competition on contracts for construction services funded by Wisconsin taxpayers. The “Project Labor Agreement Neutrality Bill” now known as Act 10 prohibits the government from mandating controversial project labor agreements (PLAs) on state, state-assisted and local construction projects […]
WSJ Project Labor Agreement Op-Ed: A Wisconsin Lesson for Trump the Builder
The Wall Street Journal editorial and op-ed pages have invested barrels of ink opposing anti-competitive and costly government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs). In numerous instances (see pieces at end of blog post) the WSJ editorial board has derided PLA mandates, calling them “crony contracts,” “a rotten deal for taxpayers,” and worse: “PLAs are a form of political bid-rigging that robs […]
Iowa Law Restricts Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements, Protects Hawkeye State Construction Industry
On April 13, Gov. Terry Branstad (R-Iowa) signed SF 438 into law, which promotes fair and open competition on contracts for construction services funded by Iowa taxpayers. The measure will ensure that the government cannot mandate controversial project labor agreements (PLAs) on state, state-assisted and local construction projects, guaranteeing that the 85 percent of Iowa’s […]