LINCOLN NETWORKING LUNCHEON – TOYS FOR TOTS RESCHEDULED:Due to the weather, the Lincoln Networking Luncheon was postponed from last Tuesday and has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 15 at the Guest House Suites, 5250 Cornhusker Hwy. Please call 477-4451 or email Deb at debh@abcnebraska.org if you plan to attend. Hope to see you there!
HOUSE PASSES TAX EXTENDERS BILL, ABC EXPRESSES CONCERNS:The U.S. House of Representatives Dec. 9 voted 241-181 to pass the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 (H.R. 4213) that included state and local sales tax deductions, a 15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvements, and the research and development tax credit. In a letter sent before the vote, ABC expressed concern with provisions contained in the bill that would impact the construction industry. Specifically, ABC opposed a section regarding partnership interests transferred in connection with performance of services to raise revenue to offset the bill. ABC pointed out that some contractors enter into joint venture agreements where they are given partnership interest in exchange for having provided services to the partnership and will be negatively affected by the provision.
IRS LOWERS STANDARD MILEAGE RATES FOR 2010: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Dec. 3 announced that the 2010 optional standard mileage rate to use for computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business will be 50 cents per mile. The new rate is 5 cents lower per mile than the rate for 2009. The new rate will go into effect beginning Jan. 1, 2010, and will apply to the use of cars, vans, pickup trucks or panel trucks. The change reflects higher transportation costs compared to a year ago.
EARLY BIRD RATES FOR THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO END JANUARY 11, 2010: ABC members are invited to join construction executives from across the country at the 2010 ABC National Convention, Feb. 3-7, in San Diego. With winter holidays and the New Year right around the corner, now is the time to register to capture early-bird and hotel discounts before the Jan. 11 deadline.
The 2010 National Convention will feature educational and inspirational events, including a special celebration to mark ABC’s 60th anniversary. Attendees will be treated to a keynote address from Major Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed as a result of their military service; witness the nation’s top construction talent at the National Craft Championships; hear about the latest challenges and opportunities facing contractors at the Construction Leaders Symposium.
In addition, ABC members will have the opportunity to network with their merit shop peers and honor winners of the nation’s leading construction projects at the 20th Annual Excellence in Construction Awards ceremony.
Visit www.abc.org/convention for more information and to register.
CONGRATULATIONS TO LUND-ROSS CONSTRUCTORS, INC.: Cornhusker Chapter 2009 Excellence In Construction winner, Lund-Ross Constructors, Inc., Omaha, NE, will be presented a National Excellence In Construction Award at the National Convention in San Diego, CA for their award winning project – The Omaha Building in the Historical Restoration – Over $10 Million category. Congratulations Lund-Ross!!!
NEW GENERAL MOTORS DISCOUNT PROGRAM PROVIDES SAVINGS TO ABC MEMBERS: ABC in conjunction with General Motors (GM) Dec. 9 announced a new discount program for all ABC members on many of GM’s 2010 model year vehicles. Under the agreement, ABC members can take advantage of an additional $500 savings on most cars, pickup trucks and vans. The discounts can be combined with most other GM retail incentives in effect at the time of purchase.
In addition, members that participate in GM’s fleet purchase program are eligible for savings of $500 to $1,000 that can be stacked on GM’s standard fleet discount program. ABC members still can access savings on 2009 model year vehicles under an existing program that has different discount levels. For more information about the GM discounts and other special programs designed to save ABC members money, visit www.abc.org/discounts.
CARPENTERS UNION UPDATE: On November 6, Mark Erlich, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters confirmed to the media that economic woes and reduced demand for construction projects led the New England Regional Council to lay off 13 members of its staff in October. In addition, the Chicago Regional Council laid off 40 staff members in October. Erlich confirmed that the organizer and business agent positions which were eliminated were jobs sustained by dues revenue, and that the dues structure is based on the hours worked by Carpenters Union members. Erlich stated that union residential construction has taken "a huge hit" and that union commercial construction has taken "a big hit." Many economic reports have been issued concerning the end of the current recession. It appears, however, that the recession is not quite over for the Carpenters Union. By Bill Harding, Chapter Attorney
REMINDER: Excellence In Construction entry forms are due
Wednesday Noon, December 16, 2010.
(Date extended due to inclement weather)
Training Classes
Management & Safety Class Schedule
JANUARY 2010
OSHA 10 Hour Class
OSHA requires a competent person on all job sites. This course ensures that your people have the necessary training to comply with OSHA standards CFR 1926.32(f) for a competent person. Training includes OSHA Construction Standards CFR 29 1926, Scaffolds, Ladders and Stairways, Housekeeping, Personal Tools, Electrical Hazards, Fall Protection, Materials Handling, Hazardous Communications and much more!
**CFR 192 OSHA Regulations Book for the Construction Industry with new steel erection standards will be available for $25.00** each for class participants.
$135.00 each attendee – Member Price/$240.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price
¨ January 7, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – LINCOLN
¨ January 12, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – OMAHA
¨ January 19, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – OMAHA
¨ January 27, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – LINCOLN
First Aid/CPR Classes
$50.00 each attendee – Member Price/$60.00 each attendee – Non-Member
Recertification only - $40.00 each attendee – Member Price/$50.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price
¨ January 12, 2010 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – LINCOLN
¨ January 13, 2010 - 1:00 51100 p.m. – OMAHA
¨ January 28, 2010 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. - OMAHA
¨ January 29, 2010 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – LINCOLN
Forklift Training
The OSHA standard 29CFR1926.602(d)requires employees who operate forklifts be trained in both the classroom and through a practical exercise on the type of equipment that they will be running in the field.
$125.00 each attendee – Member Price/$200.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price
¨ December 16 & 17, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – OMAHA