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CONCORD, N.H., July 30, 2025 — New Hampshire continues to be a national leader in construction employment, boasting one of the lowest construction unemployment rates in the country for June 2025, according to a state-by-state analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). New Hampshire recorded a 1.3% not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate in June—the third-lowest rate in the nation, behind only South Dakota (0.8%) and North Dakota (1.2%), and tied with Montana and Oklahoma for a spot in the top five.
Mid July is peak season in Vermont for construction and contractors are out in the field building Vermont. At the same time they are busy erecting the buildings and infrastructure we need while a new crew is learning the ropes at the Vermont Construction Academy (VCA). We have entered week 3 which is halfway through the first VCA bootcamp pre apprentice program. Ross Lavoie the VCA instructor has been teaching a lively group of men and women both theory and hands on carpentry and safety. The group has been moving back and forth between classroom and the 8000 sq/ft hands on training lab. Through the cohorts time here they have enjoyed “Ted Talks” from many Associated Builder and Contractors NH/VT members who came to talk about their companies and what makes them unique. These talks are set up to share some different perspectives from the field so that they will be able to consider where they would like to take their new skills to begin their careers.
The Vermont Legislature has adjourned, and our Senators and Representatives have returned to their districts to face the voters for their successes and “policies that still need work”. Be on the lookout for a detailed end of session report from ABC NH/VT coming soon. The end of the session is not the end of the ABC NH/VT advocacy, but it is time to switch gears with a focus on Washington DC. On June 24th ABC members and staff descended upon Washington DC for its annual Legislative Conference. The conference itself is an education event for members to learn what ABC of America is doing to protect the interests of Merit Shops. Several staff and members of the NH/VT chapter went this year to stay engaged with the national organization and our representatives.
Closing Days of NH state Budget, ABC Encourages Funds for Construction of Housing Additional funding for Housing could be a topic of debate. There is a section in HB 2 (page 128, section 392) that extends the lapse of the Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program from June 30, 2025 to June 30th, 2026. The sum is $5 million.
The Vermont Legislature is on its way to adjournment now two weeks past its scheduled end in May. The delay is due to three legislative priorities and negotiations to get to a “yes” from the Governor. The states housing crisis, education reform and attempts to energize legislators to override a veto of a program funding homeless staying in Vermont hotels. As of June 13th, a deal has been reached to start repairing Vermont’s expanding school funding issues. The deal reached set targets with contingencies for consolidating schools, changing the funding formulas and changes to exemptions to the property tax for income earners under $115k/year. The full assembly still needs to vote on the bill, but if it passes the Governor has signaled that he will sign it. Of course, floor votes are riddled with amendment proposals and there will be dissent on the package itself which could ultimately kill the bill.
On May 22, 2025, ABC contractors met with the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to discuss improvements to the state’s contracting process. The focus was on reducing the 110-day average timeline from bid opening to issuing a Notice to Proceed and ensuring more timely vendor payments. Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus acknowledged the need to address material price escalation and tariffs, which currently place a unique burden on contractors working with the state. Key concerns raised during the meeting included a lack of transparency in project budgets, lengthy inter-agency contract reviews, and poor communication—particularly around notifying contractors when contracts are ready for Governor and Council meetings.
The Vermont Legislature was scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 30, but that deadline has been missed. One major issue remains unresolved: school funding and a sweeping miscellaneous education bill that includes significant changes to how services are delivered. As previously reported, the Legislature has been exploring various ways to reduce school spending without cutting essential programs for Vermont students. The goal is to curb the rising statewide education property tax, which has surged in recent years due to multiple factors.
As we reach the halfway point of May, it appears the Vermont Legislature is on track to adjourn by the end of the month. It has become clear which bills will make it through and which won’t—but that doesn’t mean the action is over. Expect a flurry of amendments and the use of “must-pass” bills as vehicles to advance favored policies. A scheduled veto session in June also leaves room for late-stage negotiations and influence from both sides of the aisle.
As we enter May there has been much discussion in and around the state house related to date of adjournment, will the budget get vetoed, housing, education funding and more. Adjournment seems to be one up in the air but as of the date of this article most pundits and politicians see May 30th as being the day everyone goes home for the summer The only exception being a veto session scheduled in June to deal with the budget adjustment act that did not make it past the Governors desk. Last Monday ABC NH/VT and partners opened the Vermont Construction Academy and were lucky to have many political leaders and politicians in to see the property.
As April 15th arrives taxes are being filed, its getting warmer outside and legislators may be seeking an early exit this year. The legislative session in Vermont generally runs January through the end of May. Occasionally it creeps into the month of June if agreements on budgeting or other big-ticket items have completed and sometimes, they return in June to address gubernatorial vetoes. This year K-12 education funding and a housing crisis were the top priorities of most but as we lurch through the session it seems agreement on these are still far away. If the legislators are unable to continue with those larger items, its likely they’ll just move the “must pass” bills like the general budget, transportation funding and normal technical corrections.