Blog
New York’s Affordability Crisis: How Construction Costs Are Driving Families Out
A recent New York Times report paints a grim picture of New York City’s deepening affordability crisis. While the report focuses on NYC, the reality is that these struggles extend far beyond the five boroughs. The findings are alarming: a family of four renting in the city must earn at least $47,190 to stay above…
Economic Development Testimony to NYS Joint Legislative Hearing
ABC Empire First, I want to thank Senator Ryan and Assemblymember Stirpe, the honorable chairs of the economic development committees in both houses, for the opportunity to testify today. I represent the Associated Builders & Contractors, Empire State Chapter (ABC), a construction trade association representing over 450 open-shop contractors who employ tens of thousands of…
Mandated Project Labor Agreements Will Cripple Long Island School Construction—And Taxpayers Will Pay the Price
The recently proposed legislation mandating Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on Long Island school construction projects is a direct threat to the local economy, workforce, and taxpayers. If enacted, these mandates will push already high construction costs even higher, delay critical school upgrades, and sideline the majority of skilled local workers. Long Island school projects would…
Construction Materials Prices Increase 1.4% in January, Up 40.5% Since February 2020
Construction input prices increased 1.4% in January compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.9% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 1.3% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction…
Testimony to the NYS Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Housing
ABC Empire Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the critical issue of housing in New York State. I represent the Associated Builders & Contractors, Empire State Chapter (ABC), a construction trade association representing hundreds of merit shop contractors who employ tens of thousands of workers across the state. Our organization promotes fair and…
New York State Joint Legislative Hearing on Transportation Written Testimony
ABC Empire New York State Joint Legislative Hearing on Transportation Written Testimony Associated Builders & Contractors, Empire State Chapter Contact: Tanner Schmidt (585) 730-1814 tschmidt@abcnys.org Chairman Cooney, Chairman Magnarelli, and distinguished members of the legislature, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today. The Associated Builders & Contractors, Empire State Chapter (ABC), represents hundreds…
Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 0.2% in December; Data Centers and Manufacturing Make Up 94% of Spending Increase in 2024
National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in December 2024, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.241 trillion. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 9 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending increased…
Expanding Prevailing Wage to Custom Prefabrication – A One-Way Ticket to a Destitute New York
ABC strongly opposes the reckless legislation moving through the New York State Legislature that would impose prevailing wage mandates on construction work performed at offsite custom fabrication facilities. If passed, this law will drive the custom fabrication industry out of the state, eliminate both union and nonunion jobs, and deliver yet another gut punch to…
What Was in Gov. Hochul’s 2025 Budget Address?
Stay informed on how the Governor’s budget address could impact the construction industry and your business. This page highlights key proposals, funding initiatives, and policy changes that were included in the budget, with a focus on issues that matter most to our members. Whether it’s infrastructure investments, workforce development, or regulatory updates, find the details…
Court Rules Biden Project Labor Agreement Rule Illegal
Associated Builders and Contractors today celebrated a decision from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that rules in favor of ABC members that filed bid protests challenging former President Joe Biden’s controversial policy requiring anti-competitive, inflationary, union-favoring project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $35 million or more. Judge Ryan T. Holte’s Jan. 19 ruling responds…