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President George Bush's 2003 national budget proposal decreases spending for federal construction programs while increasing spending at the Department of Defense. The biggest cuts in construction spending will be aimed at prisons and highways.

Construction crews responsible for rebuilding the Pentagon are three weeks ahead of schedule. The goal is to rebuild and reoccupy the damaged portion of the Department of Defense headquarters by September 11, 2002.

Issues are presented concerning the escalation of a trade dispute between Canada and the US following the expiration of the Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 in March 2001. The desire of the US to impose antidumping margins is discussed.

Issues are presented concerning the disaffiliation of the carpenters union from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations following restructuring by its president Douglas J. McCarron.

The annual meeting of the Associated General Contractors was held in March 2001 in Nashville, TN. Employee education and the introduction of new technology were key issues for the 3,100 delegates.

US construction industry wages in first quarter 2000 are presented, including a discussion of forthcoming collective bargaining activities.

President Clinton's final budget proposal of $1.8 trillion for fiscal 2001 includes record amounts for some construction programs, particularly transit and highways.

Flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd resulted in an extensive damage in five states that have already been declared as disaster areas. The states of North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia are in danger of contamination from industrial chemical spills and decaying carcasses of farm animals. The five states will receive federal disaster aid to cover the cost of temporary housing, home repairs and other related expenses.

The Aug 17, 1999 earthquake in Istanbul, Turkey left approximately 40,000 dead. Damages were estimated at $50 billion. Survivors of the quake blame building contractors for the collapse of several apartment buildings. Some buildings collapsed due to the erosion of the soil foundation, although the entire building was perfectly intact. Many of the collapsed structures suffered due to the poor quality of the concrete and the lack of confinement in the columns and at the beam-column joints.

The Supreme Court of Nevada has ruled that union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) are not in violation of existing provisions on freedom of association, right-to-work and competitive bidding. The high court, which joined the Supreme Courts of the states of Alaska, New Jersey and New York in favoring the use of PLAs, cited the critical nature of the water supply project in Las Vegas, NV, for its decision. The Jun 7, 1999 decision was prompted by a lawsuit between the Southern Nevada Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the American Asphalt and Grading Co.

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled in May 14, 1999, that the EPA should set aside its pollution rule implemented in 1997. The decision is a major victory for the construction and construction equipment industries since the regulation would have a great impact on road construction projects. The 1997 EPA regulation tightened the air quality standards for ground-level ozone and particulate matter from 0.12 parts per million (ppm) of ozone measured over an hour to 0.08 ppm over eight hours.

Rebuilding of homes, commercial centers and public buildings destroyed by tornadoes that hit parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas is being slowed by construction material shortage. In Oklahoma, an estimate of 7,024 homes were either destroyed or affected by the tornadoes. Texas, on the other, has to rebuild 114 homes and 31 corporate buildings while Kansas has 3,347 homes five public buildings affected by the storm. Contractors are not sure if manufacturers can increase their supply of gypsum wallboard, brick, cement and insulation materials to keep up with the rebuilding demand.

Moves that would give greater regulatory authority to the Corps are being pushed by states and concerned citizens. With the scrapping of the Tullock rule, the Corps is prohibited from regulating some type of ditching.

Pres. Clinton's proposed FY 2000 budget has been met with both approval and criticism by officials from affected construction industries. Federal highway, transit and embassy construction are expected to be major beneficiaries, while funding for new General Services Administration construction and state Clean Water programs are substantially reduced. The planned budget, released feb 1, 1999, will be finalized after several months of hearings and votation.

It is projected that the environmental products and services industry is unlikely to soar in 1999. This is because of the expected decline in support for the market by the federal government. Investors are also abandoning the industry's publicly traded firms in favor of the communications and technology sector. Political factors such as the bombing of Iraq also served to divert funds from the sector. In addition, lobbyists are expecting the slow progress of federal environmental legislation such as changes in the Superfund and Clean Water Act.

Industry analysts remain optimistic that infrastructure spending and construction projects will continue in Brazil even if the economy has collapsed. The International Monetary Fund put up a $41-billion economic aid package in the hope that Brazil's economic difficulties will not spread to the entire Latin American region. Norman Anderson, managing director of CG/LA Infrastructure, said vital infrastructure projects in Brazilian transportation and telecommunications will proceed. There will also be funding for power projects but he expects a drop in private investments in Brazil.

Pres Clinton's 1999 budget plan would reduce the financing for infrastructure and federal building programs in a move that can affect the construction industry. The budget allocation for the federal-aid highway program is cut by 2%, to $22.8 billion. The appropriation for operation and maintenance is also reduced to $1.6 billion. On the other hand, the White House allocated $355 million, which is $18.4 million higher than 1998, for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The additional budget will go to efforts to lessen sickness and injuries related to construction.

Prospects for the US' nuclear power plant industry appears bright as China recently agreed to open its energy market to American manufacturers. The agreement, signed between President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Jiang Zemin on Oct 29, 1997, would authorize US manufacturers to offer nuclear power equipment on a case-by-case licensing basis. On the other hand, the pact is expected to provide China with enough leverage to maintain its global economic status.

Jack Kent Cooke Stadium has been included in the National Football League's greatest records as the fastest-built, modern-day sports facility. The $175 mil project has seven levels, six of which are for seating accommodations, two levels of suites and a 30-foot basement. Clark Construction Group, the stadium's contractor, employed the use of cast-in-place frames and concretes in order to save time. The company also supported the stadium's corners by conventional formworks. Some of the difficulties encountered during the construction were the increase of groundwater levels, removal of asphalt rubble and filling a ravine with concrete.

The construction of the 11-storey MCI Center pushed through despite financial problems, contractual difficulties and regulatory conflicts. Contractors had to deal with the treatment of 7,400 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil, which caused the project about $2.5 million. As a result, steel erections and foundation installation had to be resequenced. Developers also had to come up with various methods to comply with strict subway construction standards. The 220,000-sq-ft stadium, which will be the home arena of Washington's Wizards and Capitals, features a subterranean parking area and a hockey oval.

Architects, contractors, and building owners sent a set of recommendations to the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to delineate the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to update its provisions. These recommendations are due to the contracting opinions set by two lower courts as to who is responsible for the construction of handicapped-friendly facilities. The industry proposals primarily include technical changes, such as decreasing the maximum reach of an individual on a wheelchair from the present 54 inches to 48 inches.

The Clinton administration plans to issue an executive order requiring the use of project labor agreements by federal government agencies on federally funded construction projects. The proposed plan got support from unions, but was criticized by business groups as political pandering. Supporters expect the order to bring stability to the construction industry, claiming that project agreements promote economy, quality, safety, and labor stability. The executive order also centers on issues of labor disputes, such as strikes and lockouts, as well as bidding agreements.

The US is resuming its trade missions under the direction of Commerce Secretary William Daley as well as the replacements of construction executives who perished with Ron Brown. Brown, then Commerce secretary, died with 28 others while on a trade mission to Bosnia and was considered an active proponent of international trade. The firms that lost their top executives have also been busy finding replacements and setting up memorials for their personnel.

Congress is strongly opposed to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed ambient air quality standards. The EPA proposal is expected to result in stricter rules for equipment emission which could lead to a slowdown for the construction industry. An industry group against the proposal asserts that the standard is not supported by adequate research.

Pres. Bill Clinton's budget plan for fiscal 1998 will greatly affect the construction industry. The budget will include significant cuts in federal spending for transportation projects.These include the Department of Transportation's highways and airport improvement and transit programs. The General Services Administration will not receive any funds for its construction programs.

Pres. Bill Clinton has nearly completed his second-term Cabinet with the exception of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The top position has been left open with the resignation of John Dear, which was a surprise to many. Rodney E. Slater, the most popular recommendee, is slated to be the next Sec. of Transportation, while Andrew Cuomo, son of former New York City mayor Mario Cuomo, will head the Dept. of Housing. Outgoing Sec. of Transportation Federico Pena will be moved to the Energy Dept. Of all the new members, Alexis M. Herman, is expected to be given a rough time by the GOP.

Pres. Clinton was re-elected, the Republican Party retained its control over Congress and state and local bond initiatives were endorsed as a result of the 1996 federal elections. The number of people who voted had declined, but participating voters approved almost two-thirds of 190 public works programs. Observers believe that voters were contented with Washington's performance as reflected by the election results. Conflict on election spending is expected to continue.

Non-monetary issues such as contracting, education and public employment would strongly influence voter turnout in the 1996 presidential elections. According to analysts, voters from the construction industry would pay more attention to federal contracting issues in the coming election due to politicians' increasing focus on environmental cleanup. Some critics also believe that questions on succession in the Senate Committee on Labor and on Appropriations could also influence the ballot.

The EPA expressed satisfaction over the newly-signed budget for FY 1996 because it largely left the agency's allocation intact. In the new budget, the EPA's funding remained the same as in FY 1995 at $4.6 billion. The new budget added $150 million to the Superfund and $465 million for water programs. Congress also dropped several controversial riders, including those which were aimed at eliminating the EPA's role in wetlands permit deliberations.

President Bill Clinton signed a temporary spending bill on Jan. 6, 1996 to provide funds for federal workers and agencies. The continuing resolution restored laid off EPA staffers but still has not allotted enough money for the Superfund program and EPA's enforcement programs. The Dept. of Defense cleanup program still has not signed any new contracts since Clinton vetoed the 1996 authorization. Clinton has agreed to balance the budget, but speculations remain on the amount of budget cuts over seven years and the size of the tax cut.

The OSHA is establishing a Directorate of Construction that will take charge of safeguarding construction workers. The new office replaces the Office of Construction and Engineering and is headed by Bruce Swanson. It was created in response to intensive lobbying by the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Dept. and several trade associations.

Attendees at the 1995 annual conference of the pollution control industry in New York, NY, expressed concern over the uncertainty of several regulatory reform proposals being deliberated on by Congress. Particularly, they lamented over the Republican Party's strong opposition to the Superfund reauthorization program. They warned that failure to reauthorize the program, coupled with the Congress' inability to reform existing regulations, could significantly reduce their profits in 1996.

Some states feel that President Bush's administration has watered down the rules benefiting the old powerplants and therefore, five states are now bypassing the Environmental Protection Agency and are taking legal actions against utilities that are violating the clean air rules. Tighter environmental regulations may discourage some new investment in generation facilities as costs go up, but could also promote the building of new plants based on cleaner technology.

Carpenters' union President Douglas J. McCarron has announced that the 530,000-member union would join the Change to Win Coalition. The move would strengthen the growing labor reform alliance and provide the carpenters with a formal platform to unite with unions outside of building trades.

The US Supreme Court in one of its final decision in its 2004-2005 term has ruled that government can seize private property for public use. This would go a long way in creating more market opportunities for the construction industry.

Machinists' President R. Thomas Buffenbarger has approached Building and Construction Trade Dept. seeking affiliation. The machinists could bring much needed capital, in the form of per capita dues, to BCTD, as dues were lost because of the departure of the carpenters and teamsters that amounted to about $1.6 million annually.

Louisiana and Gulf Coast areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina are getting another $51.8 billion in federal aid for rebuilding and restructuring. The large infusion of funds will be welcome, but it is far from the end of federal spending needed to clean up and rebuild from the storm's widespread rampage.

John G. Roberts, Supreme Court's 109th justice, nominated by the US President George W. Bush on July 19, 2005 to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee, when confirmation hearings on construction cases and a range of business and environmental issues are questioned. Despite tough questions from Republicans and Democrats, Roberts's confirmation will go smoothly by October 3 that is the start of the Supreme Court session.

Helmets to Hardhats was founded in 2003 by the AEL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Dept.'s 15 unions and nine employer associations. The Web-based program registers would-be apprentices and jobs and when an electronic match is made, a representative from a union or employer contacts the candidate to determine if the match has a future.

A plan by the AFL-CIO that would allow locals from national unions that disaffiliated from the labor federation to continue participating in central labor bodies is creating its own controversy. Proposed Solidarity Charters, under consideration by the AFL-CIO Executive Council, could enable local affiliates of the carpenters, teamsters and two other unions to continue participating in building trade councils, central labor councils and state federation.

Congress passed major transportation and energy bills before their recess in August 2005 but unfinished items include fiscal 2006 appropriations and a Water Resources Development Act to authorize billions of dollars for Corps of Engineers projects. Spending bills are must-pass measures, but if Congress adjourns in November 2005, WRDA and other bills may be held over until next year.

Senate Republicans are considering a compromise with Democrats to permanently repeal the estate tax. Though it is believed that there are not 60 senators who support repeal but a compromise can be achieved.

A construction coalition is hoping to put a stop to the use of Internet-based 'reverse auctions' for construction particularly on federal contracts and is hoping that the Congress will make that official since a Corps of Engineers report states that there was no factual or significant or marginal savings in the use of reverse auctioning methodology over the standard sealed bid process. If Congress can be convinced to end the practice, it is hoped that state and local governments will follow suit.

Charles E. Williams joined the Army Corps of Engineers in 1960 beginning with a career as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. The work of William's that includes presiding over as a president of the city's School Construction and becoming chief operating officer of Toll Road Investors Partnership are highlighted.

The AFL-CIO President, John J. Sweeney and his administration has hit a low point in 2001 elections when the carpenters union withdrew its 520,000 members from the AFL-CIO for leadership differences with Sweeney. Sweeney, hoped to prevent the proposals from the carpenter's union by seeking recommendations to be considered by the AFL-CIO's Executive Council.

U.S. Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, will recommend which U.S. installations should be shut in the first round of base closures on May 16, 2005, which will result in millions of dollars of construction coming up at whichever posts are shuttered. Work will include environment cleanup at closed bases including new facilities at still-open posts to which personnel from shuttered installations will be transferred.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America have to decide whether it will re-affiliate or risk being ousted from the building trades department. The AFL-CIO Executive Council has given the 530,000-member union time until the labor federation's July convention to sort out the disagreements with regard to leadership philosophy.

From Crayons to CAD is an educational program that targets sixth-to-ninth graders for an eight-week cross discipline curriculum focusing on different sectors of the construction industry. Research shows middle school is the best time to reach out to students and to provide career information.

President George W. Bush' pick for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, agency veteran Stephen L. Johnson is expected to be more than a figurehead by environmental observers, including those in the construction industry. If approved by the Senate, Johnson will face many challenges, including improving impressions of Bush's environmental record and pushing Clear Skies legislation.