KY Right to Work Recap

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We are still full of excitement surrounding the historic action of Governor Bevin and the Kentucky legislature to pass Right to work and full repeal of Prevailing Wage. It is important; however, to remember the intentional actions taken by ABC to reach this remarkable point.

The first step was the election of Matt Bevin.  Governor Bevin was suffering in the polls the summer prior to his election. Thanks to the tremendous support of our members, ABC held a significant fundraising event at the Aero Club in Louisville, during which time, Governor Bevin committed to leading the charge on Right to Work and Prevailing Wage Repeal. He never wavered from his commitment to our issues. Secondly, ABC participated in the effort to enact local Right to Work ordinances, county by county. Warren County was the first to enact such an ordinance, thanks to the political and financial support of our contractors in the Bowling Green area.  ABC provided financial support to the legal defense of the county ordinances when unions sued to stop the effort. That effort gave momentum and support to the issue around the state, which paid off in legislative action. By financially supporting key legislative leaders and through the work of ABC’s lobbyist, Marc Wilson, ABC became highly visible in the political arena.

Thanks to the strong network of Marc Wilson and our earlier efforts, ABC is grateful to see the successful passage of Right to Work and full repeal of Prevailing Wage. Our work is never done, so our next task is to protect those who took a stand for the free market, as we know they will be targets of the union building trades in the next election. Please consider making a financial contribution to ABC’s Kentucky Political Action Committee and send it to your nearest ABC Council office. *must be a personal check or from an LLC

Gaylor Electric President Chuck Goodrich Begins Term as ABC National Chair

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Leieritz (202) 905-2104
leieritz@abc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 3 – Chuck Goodrich, president of Indianapolis-based, national electrical contractor Gaylor Electric Inc., began his term as the 2017 chair of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) on Jan 1, 2017. As chair, Goodrich will guide the 21,000-member association’s national initiatives and lead ABC’s Executive Committee and 170-member Board of Directors.

“Associated Builders and Contractors members and their employees look forward to Chuck’s high-energy leadership during this pivotal time as President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, a fellow Indianan, about to take office in Washington,” said ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman. “ABC shares the administration’s goal of creating opportunities for all Americans to play a valuable role in rebuilding our cities, highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools and hospitals. Chuck and Gaylor Electric’s award-winning commitment to world-class safety, innovation, workforce development and community service shows the value merit shop contractors bring to growing jobs and our economy.”
Goodrich began his 25-year career in the construction industry as an intern with Gaylor Electric in 1991 and was named president in 2014. The national electrical contractor has 13 offices in seven states. The company is an ABC Accredited Quality Contractor and has been recognized for its world-class performance, achieving the platinum level of ABC’s Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) program and earning 19 Excellence in Construction® Awards.

Goodrich earned a Bachelor of Science degree in building construction management from Purdue University and is a graduate of Clemson University’s Project Management Academy. He has served on ABC’s national Executive Committee for three years: as president-elect in 2016, secretary in 2015 and as the Mid-America region vice chair in 2015 and 2014, which includes members and chapters in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
A leader in the business community, Goodrich is chairman of the Riverview Health Foundation and chair-elect of the Purdue Construction Advisory Board for Building Construction Management. He is a member of the National Honor Society for Construction, Metro Indianapolis Coalition for Construction Safety and Design-Build Institute of America. He has been recognized for his leadership and philanthropy with the James J. Leonard Memorial Award, the ABC Outstanding Chapter Support Award and the Gaylor Optimist Award, as well as being named Business Person of the Year by the City of Noblesville. Goodrich also participates in the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce and All Pro Dads.

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents nearly 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.

Victory in Frankfort: Right to Work and Prevailing Wage

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Contacts:
Catrona Lanctot: (317) 596-4950
cat@abcindianakentucky.org

For Immediate Release

Frankfort, KY, 1/12/17– Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) stands with the strongest support of the action taken by the Kentucky Senate and the historic action of the Kentucky House last week. Governor Bevin signed both House Bill 1 (Right to Work) and House Bill 3 (Prevailing Wage Repeal) over the weekend. Both laws went into effect Monday.

“A resounding thank you to the legislative leaders and the House and Senate members comes from our association for your courageous action passing HB 1 & 3,” said J.R. Gaylor, President of ABC of Indiana/Kentucky. “Governor Bevin encouraged legislators this past week to ‘do the right thing,’ which the legislature has accomplished.”

ABC Indiana/Kentucky is the leading voice of promoting free enterprise within the construction industry. ABC’s merit shop philosophy drives member services, political advocacy, and the need for all types of industry training and education.

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky represents commercial and industrial contractors, who believe in the merit shop philosophy. ABC Indiana/Kentucky and 69 other chapters around the country help members develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the better of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at www.abcindianakentucky.org and www.abc.org

From the President

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“All Eyes on Frankfort Kentucky”
The stars seem to be aligning in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2017. The new Kentucky House and Senate leadership, along with Governor Bevin, appear to be interested in labor reform. Specifically, they have discussed Right to Work and Prevailing Wage reform.  ABC has been a successful leader on these issues: namely, Right to Work in Indiana (2012), followed by Right to Work in Michigan (2013) and Wisconsin (2015).

ABC stands for freedom: freedom in the marketplace and freedom for companies and employees to choose who they want to work with and for. Under Right to Work, workers are guaranteed that choice. Employment should not be contingent on forced unionism or forced financial support to unions.
Furthermore, Right to Work has overwhelmingly positive effects on economic growth:

*         Following Right to Work in Indiana, 4 billion dollars in new, economic development have come to the state.

*         Manufacturing (in Indiana and Michigan) bounced back immediately. Indiana saw a 10% growth and Michigan, a 9% growth, effectively ranking them as number 1 and number 2 in manufacturing job growth (2014).

*         Allied Van Lines announced that four of the Top 5 states where families relocated in 2015 were Right to Work States

As to Prevailing Wage reform and repeal, ABC members may have mixed feelings. Some members have established their business models, based around the fact that Prevailing Wage would always be in place. Despite some success with this model, ABC believes that it is in the interest of the greater good to bid projects based on prices established by the free market, rather than on arbitrary government prices. ABC believes that supporting Prevailing Wage reform and repeal is the right thing to do for taxpayers.

ABC is conservative in nature. I read an interesting definition of a “conservative” the other day- after all, what is a conservative? “We cannot conserve the present of the future. Things in the past are like things in the present; they must be judged.” Conservatism at its cores judges based on principle. Therefore, ABC defines our support of legislative ideas based on the principles of freedom: freedoms to workers and companies to fully participate in a market economy where merit, performance, and integrity count instead of forced dues and forced pricing.

2016 Election Re-Cap

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Indiana:

Todd Young, U.S. Senate: in early September, ABC endorsed Todd Young for U.S. Senate. A strong supporter of ABC, we are confident Senator Young will support our issues in Washington. Not only familiar with our cause, Senator Young has spent significant time with our membership and association, whether at the ABC facility in Indianapolis or at our annual Legislative Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana: in late September, ABC hosted a fundraiser for Eric Holcomb for Governor. Familiar with ABC issues, Governor –elect Holcomb repeatedly voiced his support for the association, especially in workforce development. Along with his Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne Crouch, ABC is pleased to see progress continue in Indiana.

Congressional Elections: Trey Hollingsworth, District 9, Jackie Walorski, District 2, and Jim Banks, District 3. ABC endorsed and supported Hollingsworth throughout his campaign. A true believer, Hollingsworth will promote the principles of Free Enterprise throughout his district. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was re-elected to continue serving Indiana’s 2nd District. Congresswoman Walorski has strong relationships with ABC members in her area and has also devoted time every year to attend our annual legislative dinner in Washington, D.C. The election of Congressman Jim Banks to Indiana’s 3rd district, a loyal friend of the association, secures the interest of ABC in Washington.

At the state level, ABC was pleased to see pro-Merit Shop candidates we had openly supported succeed in their races. To the Indiana State Senate, Aaron Freeman, District 32, and Jack Sandlin, District 36. To the Indiana House of Representatives: Jim Pressel, District 20, and Sally Siegrist, District 26.

Kentucky:

Most notably, the flip of the Kentucky House of Representatives to a Republican majority was an incredible victory. Pro-Merit Shop initiatives, brought forth by the Senate, such as PLA reform, Right to Work, and Prevailing Wage repeal were continually extinguished in House.  In the excitement that surrounds the upcoming session, ABC is working to secure strategies and plans to support any pro-Merit Shop legislation that may be brought forward. Watch for political updates issued by the Association in your inbox!

Congressional Appointments: re-election of Andy Barr, District 6, and election of Jamie Comer, District 1. Andy Barr has been a long-time supporter of ABC in Kentucky and a frequent attendee at our legislative events. Jason Nemes was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives (R-33). Jason had been involved in earlier Right to Work efforts as an attorney and will be a strong voice as an elected leader.

Takeaway:

All the time, PAC investments, free enterprise funds from ABC, and member’s direct involvement of their own resources, resulted in the successful election of all but one candidate who received our support. Our only loss was that of Representative Connie Eckert (IN). This is an incredible testament to the efforts of the association and its members to promote the Merit Shop agenda!

Young Professionals Program NOW Accepting Applications

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Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky is excited to announce the return of our Young Professionals program in January 2017! ABC has implemented this year-long program with the goal of educating your Young Professionals with valuable information needed to successfully participate in leadership roles within ABC. Our program seeks to create a passion for the merit shop, to teach Young Professionals what it means to be a member of ABC, and to learn the political process so as to successfully complete issue advocacy. Furthermore, the program pursues the following objectives:

  • Promote open competition as a key value within the construction industry
  • Promote networking and relationship building among future leaders
  • Promote the role that ABC plays in the industry
  • Promote chapter volunteerism
  • Introduce the Young Professionals to the key programming efforts of our ABC Chapter and our National office.

This is a great opportunity to educate and inspire a new generation of leaders within Associated Builders and Contractors.

To APPLY Today, Visit the Young Professionals Page and download the appropriate application and/or Program Details.