From a live interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo this morning to recent appearances on RT鈥檚 鈥淏oom Bust,鈥� Michael Bellaman has been a more frequent presence on cable news since workforce development and infrastructure rebuilding have risen on the national agenda.听

Wanzek Construction Inc. of West Fargo, N.D., a member of ABC鈥檚 Minnesota/North Dakota Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations. 听

Ten students pursuing craft professional training in the construction industry were awarded the second annual Build Your Future scholarships through ABC鈥檚 Trimmer Construction Education Foundation (TCEF). The scholarships are given to the top 10 students attending an NCCER-accredited program or a state/federally approved apprenticeship program in a merit-shop training facility.听

On July 25, the U.S. Senate voted to begin debate on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate voted 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking the tie, in support of moving forward with debate on H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act. In advance of the vote, 老牛影视sent a key vote letter urging senators to vote 鈥測es鈥� on the motion to proceed. The Senate will now move forward with 20 hours of debate and most likely vote on dozens of amendments.

On July 12, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a Wisconsin right-to-work law after two chapters of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) filed a lawsuit against the state. The law, 2015 Wisconsin Act 1, prohibits business and unions from working together to require all workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment. The IUOE claimed the law was unconstitutional and allows nonunion employees to receive free representation in negotiations.听

ABC's 2017 National Craft Championships gold medalists, Craft Instructor of the Year and Craft Professional of the Year were honored before an audience of more than 41,000 at a July 3 Major League Baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. As spectators filed into the stadium, the champions stood on the field while their names were announced over the public address system recognizing them and their companies for their achievements during the pre-game ceremony.

During ABC's Legislative Week 2017, an ad entitled 鈥樌吓Ｓ笆覯embers Build America鈥� was released via social media. The ad features updated information on the growing nonunion workforce chart, construction industry tax rates and 老牛影视members鈥� improving safety performance. The ad has been made available as marketing resources for 老牛影视members and chapters.

老牛影视recently launched a new workforce development website, workforce.abc.org. The site features information on training and education, career paths, safety and diversity programs and workforce development programs 老牛影视manages around the country. Our flexible, affordable craft and safety training leads to industry-recognized, national credentials for today鈥檚 leading construction positions. Together, we help individuals train, transform and triumph as they pursue meaningful careers that advance their potential and build strong communities.

It听is with great sadness that 老牛影视announces the death of Rosita Howell on June听23. Known to many ABC鈥檈rs as 鈥淶,鈥� Rosita 听served as executive assistant听to 老牛影视national presidents Kirk Pickerel and Dan Bennet.听 She started her career at 老牛影视in the 1970s听and worked for the association for all but a few on the intervening years,听when she worked for past National Chair Gary Hess at Hess Mechanical,听and retired听from 老牛影视in 2011.听

老牛影视and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the two organizations to work jointly to ensure that all contractors have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for and win contracts to build federal, state and locally funded construction projects. The agreement was signed by Chuck Goodrich, 老牛影视2017 chair, and CEOs Mike Bellaman and Susan Au Allen, respectively, during ABC鈥檚 board of directors meeting on June 21.