Bulletins

Legislative

Action in Washington and Lansing to Impact Construction Industry

3% Withholding on Public Work to Begin in January 2012 Public owners will begin withholding 3 percent of every payment to contractors for goods and services beginning in January 2012.  Among the new law’s burdensome effects, contractor cash flow would be diminished and harm their ability to pay subcontractors downstream
Labor

Teamster Fringe Adjustments

MEMORANDUM TO:                 MITA Union Contractors   FROM:           Michael A. Nystrom, Executive Vice President/Secretary RE:                  Teamster Fringe Adjustments Underground Construction – Effective April 1, 2011:   Counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe, St. Clair, Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer. Wage Adjustment – 10¢ / hour increase on each Zone and Classification.
Legislative

Legislature Off to Quick Start: Elimination of PLAs, Prevailing Wage and MIOSHA Among Issues Being Discussed

Legislature Off to Quick Start: Elimination of PLAs, Prevailing Wage and MIOSHA Among Issues Being Discussed  With Republicans now firmly in charge of both Houses of the Michigan Legislature and the governor’s office, policymakers are off to a quick start in recommending seismic changes to the way the state does
Engineering

Trucking Update for Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Projects

As many of you are aware, the applicability of prevailing wage on federal-aid projects as it relates to truck drivers has become an area of focus for both MDOT and US DOL.  In an attempt to gain a better understanding of the federal rules that pertain to truck drivers, MITA
Legislative

Michigan Transportation Team Honored with 2010 Diamond Award

The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) was honored recently by the East Central District of the Public Relations Society of America with a 2010 Diamond Award for its “Message in a Bottle” public affairs tactic. The “Message in a Bottle” was part of the MTT and DriveMI’s efforts to help win
Engineering

Tax Liability on Construction Materials

This bulletin will serve as MITA’s annual reminder to our contractor members of the issue of tax liability on construction materials that are being incorporated in projects of tax-exempt owners. Contractors performing work for public agencies, churches and schools are often faced with this precarious issue. Many of these owners
Legislative

Contact Your Legislator Month

MEMORANDUM RE: Contact Your Legislator Month Our industry is facing challenging times – declining budgets and a complete evaporation of private and residential work. The result of these challenges is an unprecedented decline in available work for our industry.  The only way to break this cycle is for the industry
Legislative

Why the New International Trade Crossing is Good for the Heavy Construction Industry

Governor Snyder’s Administration challenged the heavy construction industry at the MITA Annual Conference to join as partners in lobbying state legislators in support of a new international bridge to Canada.  MITA has taken that challenge seriously and is asking members to contact their legislators.  But, why is a New International
Legislative

Snyder Unveils Business Tax Concept: 6% on ‘C’ Corps Only

MITA is seeking feedback on Gov. Snyder’s MBT plan. Michigan “C” corporations would be taxed 6 percent on their business income, with almost no deductions or credits to reduce their tax, under a draft proposal for a new Michigan business tax prepared by Governor Rick Snyder and obtained by Gongwer
Legislative

Snyder Administration Issues Challenge to MITA Members

Gov. Snyder’s newly appointed director of strategy, Bill Rustem, called on MITA members to offer legislative support for the governor’s proposal to build a new international crossing in Detroit. Speaking at the MITA annual conference at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Rustem challenged the heavy construction industry to stand
Engineering

REMINDER – Temporary Concrete Barrier – December 31, 2011 Deadline Looms

According to MDOT’s Frequently Used Special Provision for Temporary Concrete Barrier, all temporary concrete barrier (TCB) in service after December 31, 2011, must be NCHRP 350 compliant. MDOT currently allows the use of “old” TCB sections manufactured prior to September 1, 2006 that meet the requirements of Standard Plan R-52
Legislative

State House/Senate Appoint Members to Key Legislative Committees

On the day that legislators were being sworn into office, House Speaker Jase Bolger announced committee assignments for the 2011-12 session.  Legislators serving on these key committees will have a great deal of influence on issues of importance to the heavy construction industry. The House Transportation Committee will meet on