Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) launched “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard,” which reviews and grades state-specific information. The scorecard website identifies states that have created beneficial or subpar environments for merit shop contractors.
The Merit Shop Scorecard grades states on project labor agreement (PLA), prevailing wage and right-to-work policies as well as their construction job growth rate, commitment to developing a well-trained workforce, level of flexibility in career and technical education curricula and use of public-private partnerships (P3s).
“The Merit Shop Scorecard will be a useful tool for lawmakers and industry stakeholders to explain how state policies affect the ability of contractors to conduct business and expand their operations,” said ABC Director of Labor and Federal Procurement Ben Brubeck. “The scorecard highlights high-performing states that have enacted policies opposing anti-competitive schemes and restrictive, cost-inflating mandates while embracing fairness in the workplace. It also identifies low-performing states that have failed to foster environments where businesses can thrive, invest and create construction jobs in local communities.”
The merit shop philosophy is the belief that people and companies succeed based on free enterprise principles within the free market system, which is characterized by open and fair competition and diverse participants.
Top ranked states such as Arizona, Louisiana and Virginia all received high-performing grades for enacting PLA, prevailing wage and right-to-work policies that favor free enterprise. Conversely, low performing states such as New Mexico, Alaska and New York received poor overall rankings by earning a D or F grade for their policies on PLAs, prevailing wage and right-to-work legislation and other measurable categories.
The Merit Shop Scorecard was developed with input from ABC chapters and industry stakeholders across the country. States were evaluated based on their policies and records on seven key issues: Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), Prevailing Wage, Right to Work, Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), Workforce Development ;Career and Technical Education, and Job Growth Rate.
Criteria and definitions are available here. The scorecard will be updated monthly with exclusive state construction unemployment rate estimates from economist Bernard Markstein, Ph.D.
Related Stories
Religious Facilities | Feb 22, 2016
For the first time in Bulgaria, a temple’s construction raises a metal dome
The church is 2½ times larger than the basilica in Ukraine it references.
Market Data | Feb 10, 2016
Nonresidential building starts and spending should see solid gains in 2016: Gilbane report
But finding skilled workers continues to be a problem and could inflate a project's costs.
Contractors | Feb 2, 2016
ABC: Nonresidential spending falls again in December
For a second consecutive month, 12 of 16 nonresidential subsectors experienced spending decreases on a monthly basis.
Contractors | Feb 1, 2016
ABC: Tepid GDP growth a sign construction spending may sputter
Though the economy did not have a strong ending to 2015, the data does not suggest that nonresidential construction spending is set to decline.
Contractors | Jan 15, 2016
Controlling interest in Clark Construction sold to employee group
The death of its founder last year set the wheels of this transition in motion.
| Jan 14, 2016
How to succeed with EIFS: exterior insulation and finish systems
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the six elements of an EIFS wall assembly; common EIFS failures and how to prevent them; and EIFS and sustainability.
Market Data | Jan 13, 2016
Morgan Stanley bucks gloom and doom, thinks U.S. economy has legs through 2020
Strong job growth and dwindling consumer debt give rise to hope.
Contractors | Jan 13, 2016
5 ways to handle conflict during construction
Rider Levett Bucknall's John Jozwick has five ways to curb disputes and prevent the situation from escalating to litigation.
Contractors | Jan 12, 2016
Will a notable credential make students preparing for construction jobs more marketable?
Zenith Education Group thinks so, as nine of its campuses offer training certification from the National Center of Construction Education and Research.
Contractors | Jan 11, 2016
Novum Structures will pay $3 million to settle violations of ‘Buy American’ regulations
Wisconsin design and construction firm charged with repackaging materials from foreign sources.