News

Construction employment is at its highest level since January 2009, the Associated General Contractors of America report, adding 46,000 workers in November, while unemployment in the sector dropped to 6.2 percent.

Expanding demand and the prospect of new federal highway legislation have spurred construction firms to add 46,000 workers in November — the biggest monthly gain in employment for the sector since January 2014, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.

The American Institute of Architects issued a statement criticizing the House of Representatives for passing a bill that will repeal targets for limiting fossil fuel consumption in federal buildings that had been passed in 2007.

Big package under the tree?

Construction spending in October reached levels not seen since 2007, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) — and showed a year-to-year increase of 13 percent over October 2014.

The Coalition to Extend and Improve the 179D Tax Deduction for Energy-Efficient Buildings has prepared a letter urging that Congress pass a multi-year extension of the Section 179D tax deduction, with changes that will make the standards for qualifying “more stringent” and that will allow tribal governments and non-profits to allocate the deduction to designers.

The American Institute of Architects’ monthly Architecture Billings Index show a continuing increase in billings for both new project inquiries and new design contracts, showing “healthy business conditions at architecture firms,” according to AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker — although both have slowed from the September levels, “suggesting that growth may moderate just a bit in the coming months.”

An article in the Wall Street Journal outlines the limbo existence of dozens of tax extender provisions (including Section 179D) — stuck pending congressional renewal not only for next year, but also for this one that’s nearly over.

Just a few years ago, many people thought that comprehensive tax reform would be accomplished with a bipartisan deal — a “Kumbaya” moment when President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner would join hands to remake the US tax code.