Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released its annual update to “Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard,” which reviews and grades state-specific policies and information significant to the success of the commercial and industrial construction industry. The scorecard highlights states that have created a free enterprise-based environment where merit shop contractors are well positioned to succeed and calls attention to states where strategic improvements need to be made.
The Merit Shop Scorecard grades states on their policies on prevailing wage and project labor agreement (PLA) mandates and Right to Work status, as well as their construction job growth rate, commitment to developing a well-trained workforce, career and technical education (CTE) opportunities and results, and use of public-private partnerships (P3s).
Louisiana, Virginia and North Carolina ranked first, second and third, respectively. Each state earned top grades for enacting PLA, prevailing wage and Right to Work policies that favor free enterprise, using P3s and placing a high percentage of students in colleges or careers after graduating from CTE programs.
Conversely, Illinois, New Mexico and Alaska ranked as the three worst environments for merit shop contractors. Each received a “D” or “F” grade for their policies on PLA and prevailing wage mandates and failure to adopt a Right to Work law; they also received poor marks for their workforce development incentive programs.
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. Those who adhere to the philosophy believe employees and employers have the right to determine wages and working conditions through either individual or collective bargaining, as they choose, within the boundaries of the law. They oppose violence, coercion, intimidation and the denial of the rights of employees and employers. Furthermore, they believe it is incumbent on all branches of government to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and that government should award contracts based solely on merit to the lowest responsible bidder, regardless of labor affiliation.
The Merit Shop Scorecard was developed with input from ABC chapters and industry stakeholders across the country. A full list of state rankings, as well as criteria and definitions, is available at meritshopscorecard.org. The scorecard is also updated with exclusive state construction unemployment rate estimates from economist Bernard Markstein, Ph.D.
Related Stories
Market Data | Nov 2, 2017
Construction spending up in September; Down on a YOY basis
Nonresidential construction spending is down 2.9% on a year-over-year basis.
Sponsored | Industry Research | Oct 26, 2017
Get clients to pay you faster with these five tips
Here are 5 ways to avoid a cash crunch by doing your part to help clients make their payments on time.
Market Data | Oct 19, 2017
Architecture Billings Index backslides slightly
Business conditions easing in the West.
Industry Research | Oct 9, 2017
AEC website design trends in 2017 – Planning for 2018
A website that’s behind the times is hurting your business.
Industry Research | Oct 3, 2017
Nonresidential construction spending stabilizes in August
Spending on nonresidential construction services is still down on a YOY basis.
Market Data | Sep 21, 2017
Architecture Billings Index continues growth streak
Design services remain in high demand across all regions and in all major sectors.
Market Data | Sep 21, 2017
How brand research delivers competitive advantage
Brand research is a process that firms can use to measure their reputation and visibility in the marketplace.
Contractors | Sep 19, 2017
Commercial Construction Index finds high optimism in U.S. commercial construction industry
Hurricane recovery efforts expected to heighten concerns about labor scarcities in the south, where two-thirds of contractors already face worker shortages.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 15, 2017
Hurricane Harvey damaged fewer apartments in greater Houston than estimated
As of Sept. 14, 166 properties reported damage to 8,956 units, about 1.4% of the total supply of apartments, according to ApartmentData.com.
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2017
CTBUH determines fastest elevators and longest runs in the world in new TBIN Study
When it comes to the tallest skyscrapers in the world, the vertical commute in the building becomes just as important as the horizontal commute through the city.