20 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. POLITICAL UPDATE It’s a new year, but not a great start for merit shop legislators in the minority in both the House and the Senate. This has not been a scenario ABC contractors have had to navigate through in the last 40 years. ABC Michigan president Jimmy Greene has his eyes on protecting the victories ABC has fought for that last 10 years. “When I came to ABC 15 years ago, we didn’t have any of the legislative victories we’ve fought for and won,” Greene said. “Each of those are at risk and there’s little reason for me to give hollow expectations. Right out of the gate, Right to Work and the reinstatement of State Prevailing Wage are two of the first six bills introduced. Setting the tone for what I suspect will be attacks on merit shop policy wins.” When it comes to Prevailing Wage, Greene mentioned the ways he’s been working to educate new legislators on the nuances and economics that go into it, but without a flip from the Democratic side, the merit shop still falls short. “I’ve encouraged our friends and partners to be very deliberate and engaged in all things education,” Greene said. “Tapering with existing policies on charter schools, curriculum and workbased learning that allows high school students to train and work at construction companies while enrolled in school, greatly influence our funnel of young people into the workforce.” Also on ABC’s radar is what’s brewing in the Regulatory Affairs Committee, which governs construction codes and licensing. ABC Michigan has put together a task force that meets with the Bureau of Construction Codes to foster a better relationship and have a voice inside the executive offices. “While this is a difficult time politically, I think ABC Michigan is in a position to protect our merit shop contractors at home even more so than in Lansing,” Greene said. “We will be building round tables for builders and contractors to interact with legislators when they come home to their districts. Bottom line, we are playing offense, not defense on protecting the merit shop.” For ABC members who need help navigating through these policies or want to get involved in protecting the merit shop, please reach out to our membership director John Manor (jmanor@abcsemi.org) and he will work with you to protect your business. “While this is a difficult time politically, I think ABC Michigan is in a position to protect our merit shop contractors at home even more so than in Lansing...” » Jimmy Greene, President, ABC Michigan PROTECTING the Merit Shop in Lansing Post Election Lobbyists are getting creative to protect merit shop workers and philosophies after a rocky November election. Michigan’s capitol building in Lansing.
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