Posts by growthzone

ASA Supports Rural Broadband Expansion The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), together with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), are the primary federal agencies responsible for financing and making broadband service available to rural communities by providing states, localities, and private entities…

First Quarter Outlook of 2023 The Commerce Department announced that the gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, rose at a 1.1 percent annual rate in the first quarter, which was down from a 2.6 percent rate in the last three months of 2022, but nonetheless represented a third straight quarter of growth after output contracted…

This Week in Congress House Republican leaders scheduled a vote this week on their bill to raise the debt ceiling and cut federal spending to force negotiations with President Biden and congressional Democrats.  Also, the House voted on a resolution that would use the Congressional Review Act to rescind the Biden administration’s suspension of tariffs…

ASA Launches New Chapter: ASA of Washington ASA is excited to announce that ASA has launched their newest chapter, ASA of Washington. The American Subcontractors Association promotes and protects the rights and interests of subcontractors and suppliers by building strength in the community through education, legislation, networking and professional growth, and now we’re doing it…

Update: Debt Limit Speaker McCarthy proposed a bill that would raise the U.S. debt limit and cut federal spending. The plan would increase the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion, enough to suspend U.S. default payments until March 31, 2024; cap discretionary spending at the FY22 levels or a $130 billion cut and cap increases to…

ASA Supports 5% Retainage Cap and Retainage Bond Legislation in Washington As previously reported, ASA supports legislation in Washington that would cap retainage by 5%, and on April 18, 2023, that legislation passed in the Senate with a vote of 48-0.  The legislation is now on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature.  The…

ASA Supports Texas Payment and Performance Bond Legislation Our ASA Chapters in Texas support HB2518, which passed the House Committee on State Affairs Committee 12-0, and was placed on the House Calendar for consideration on Wednesday, April 26th.   The legislation would amend Sections 2253.001(3), (4) to expand the scope of the Texas Little Miller Act…

ASA Comments on FTC Non-Compete Clause Rule ASA, along with the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC), offered comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s proposed non-compete clause rule.  ASA and the SBLC understood the motivations behind the FTC’s decision to issue the proposed rule.  However, we have serious concerns about the impact that the proposed…

This Week in Congress Congress returned to a marathon stretch as they prepare legislation to address freight rail accidents, transgender athletes, firefighter assistance, and war powers authorization.  One or both chambers will be in session now until the two week break in anticipation of 4th July.  This week, Sens. McConnell (R-KY) and Fetterman (D-PA) returned…

ASA Supports the Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2023 The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) commends Construction Procurement Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs, Stauber (R-MN) and Peters (D-CA) as well as Reps. Veasey (D-TX) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for the introduction of the ‘‘Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2023.’’ This critical legislation lessens the considerable…