Bulletin Board Magazine 2017 Volume 3

Labor:

Lumber:

• This is lower than other proposals drawn up by lawmakers, and it could be difficult to achieve. Regardless, if the corporate rate is reduced, NAHB will work to make sure that this will not hamper the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. • The President and Congressional Republicans are working on a unified plan they hope to unveil this fall. • NAHB members are reporting that the availability of labor has become a major problem. • To address this issue, we are working with policymakers on developing legal ways for immigrants and temporary foreign workers to enter the construction workforce as demand for labor increases. • We have also launched the Skilled Labor Fund with other stakeholders. This fund will provide scholarships for students to attend construction training programs nationwide. • Plus, our job training affiliate, HBI, is a national leader for career preparation and job placement in the building industry. • Meanwhile, the Administration wants to expand “earn-while-you-learn opportunities,” such as apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. NAHB will help make sure that residential construction training is included within these programs. Workforce:

• NAHB has had several advocacy wins this year, especially on the labor front.

• Earlier this year, the U.S. Commerce Department announced two tariffs on Canadian lumber imports after the U.S. trade agreement with Canada expired in 2015. The department has postponed the

• In March, President Trump signed a bill that overturned OSHA’s recordkeeping rule, known as the Volks rule. • This rule would have changed the statute of limitations on citations for recordkeeping violations from six months to five years. • We secured another big win when the Department of Labor withdrew independent contractor guidance issued during the Obama Administration. • This would have placed undue burdens on small firms to show that the subcontractors they hire are independent contractors and not employees. • And late last year the U.S. District Court granted NAHB and the Texas Association of Builders a permanent stay of the Department of Labor’s persuader rule. • The rule would have discouraged employers from seeking legal advice about union organizing. • Rather than appealing the decision, DOL has started the process of rescinding the rule — another significant victory for our members. • Most recently, a federal judge struck down the Obama administration’s overtime rule that would have doubled the salary threshold for workers to be able to receive overtime pay. • The final rule would have raised the salary threshold for overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476.

final determination on anti-dumping and countervailing duties to no later than Nov. 14.

• Because Canada is the largest softwood importer to the U.S., NAHB is concerned with how the tariffs will affect lumber prices. • NAHB has stressed to the media how these tariffs will harm home builders and buyers alike. • We have spoken with high-level U.S. and Canadian officials on how to resolve this trade dispute. • And we are urging policymakers to consider expanding domestic lumber production in a sustainable way.

By Dean Mon, President, D.R. Mon Group, Inc. & 2017 ThirdVice Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) I n the nine months since being elected as a senior

reform and the effects of the current administration’s policies and how they will shape the country going forward. Here is an update of the action NAHB is taking on several of these key issues.

officer of NAHB’s board, there has been an incredible amount of issues facing our industry, from the more recent natural disasters affecting Texas and Florida, to labor and materials challenges, not to mention tax

Tax Reform:

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma:

IBS:

• Tax reform remains a priority for the Administration and Congress.

• In the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes, NAHB is working closely with state and local home builder associations in the region to help them meet the needs of members who have been affected by the storm. • We sent out an all-member email with information on how to donate to the recovery effort. • We also implemented an advocacy effort to urge the U.S. Attorney General and state attorneys general to act quickly to prevent price gouging of construction

• We updated our Disaster Recovery toolkit to include Harvey and Irma specific talking

• The 2018 NAHB International Builders’ Show returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 9-11. • IBS will again co-locate with the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for the 5th annual Design & Construction Week. • NAHB members who register before Sept. 15 can obtain a free expo pass (non-members save 50%) and save $100 on a full registration.

• The White House proposal keeps the mortgage interest deduction as an individual deduction, but nearly doubles the standard deduction.

points, as well as OSHA and FEMA safety information for contractors.

• More generally, NAHB has a Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund that accepts donations to help communities rebuild after natural disasters. • And we are part of a coalition of more than 30 organizations that promotes resilience to make the nation’s communities safer and more secure.

• As a result, fewer home owners would use the MID and home values could suffer.

• A note from SBACNJ:

• NAHB is discussing this consequence with the White House and legislators.

• We would like to thank Dean Mon for his tireless efforts in representing our state’s interests at the national level and for providing these important updates to our membership.

• President Trump’s draft also lowers the corporate tax rate for all businesses to 15 percent.

• Plus, spouse registration is free before the Sept. 15 deadline.

materials, and we conducted media interviews on flood-related topics.

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