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If we learned anything from 2020, it’s that technology is no longer a “nice-to-have” but rather a “need-to-have”. Last year, the pandemic drove massive change in the construction industry from disruptions in productivity, new safety protocols to mitigate exposure, and the accelerated adoption of technology to protect shrinking profit margins. In yesterday’s construction market, projects…

This week, the 117th Congress returned to Washington and on Wednesday, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. On his first day in office and in the following days, President Biden is expected to sign a number of executive orders and take other executive actions that focus on four…

Last Thursday, January 14, 2021, President-Elect Biden announced his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 Relief Package to fund state and local governments, health initiatives, schools, child care, workers, and more.  The proposal would include $350 billion to help state and local governments, including to support first responders, expand testing, and reopen schools. The proposal would create a…

The Biden Administration’s Immediate Action on Immigration Reform President Biden immediately signed a memorandum instructing the Homeland Security Secretary to preserve and bolster the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created under President Obama, which shields from deportation individuals brought to the country illegally as children. Also, President Biden plans to call on Congress to…

After being sworn in on Wednesday, President Biden announced that the U.S. will rejoin the 2015 Paris climate accords and revoke the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Also, the Biden Administration will direct federal agencies to review more than 100 federal environmental regulations and agency decisions by the Trump administration. Return to the ASAToday…

Last Friday, Speaker Pelosi said that the House impeachment managers were preparing for the trial, but she declined to say when the article of impeachment would be sent to the Senate, or when the trial would begin.  Another unknown is whether Chief Justice Roberts will preside, or if that role will go to incoming Vice President…

Small Business Administration (SBA) Obsoletes Non Deductible PPP Loan Expenses On Monday, January 11, 2021, Charles Jeane (SBA Office of Advocacy) informed ASA that Revenue Ruling 2021-2 obsoletes IRS Notice 2020-32 and Revenue Ruling 2020-27, which provided that taxpayers could not deduct otherwise deductible business expenses that were paid with forgiven or forgivable PPP loans. …

The Senate’s budget reconciliation process is arcane, but a powerful tool that could advance or inhibit President-elect Biden’s agenda on Capitol Hill over the next two years.   In short, budget reconciliation allows the Senate to circumvent the traditional 60-vote threshold and pass legislation with a simple majority. The procedure is complicated because reconciliation was intended…

Senate leadership is beginning to discuss specifics of committee assignments and Senate chamber operations for this session.  In 2001, when the Senate was split 50-50, Republican Majority Leader Lott (R-MS) and Democratic Minority Leader Daschle (D-SD) reached an agreement on committee membership and provided equal resources for both parties.  The majority held committee chairmanships and membership…

President-elect Biden selected Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for labor secretary, who was the former Business Manager of the Boston Building and Construction Trades.  Walsh has a reputation for being a listener and consensus builder, which will be important as he confronts his upcoming Senate confirmation.  As we learn more about him, I will update you…