ABC NHVT News

Vermont Advocacy Update – 8/25/2026

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:03:28 GMT

The Vermont primary election happened on August 11th, and there were no big surprises in the winners. Vermont voters turned out to make sure their voices were heard, and their wide support for incumbents shows that they were happy with the current status quo.

Republican Governor Phil Scott ran unopposed to retain his seat. Ranked as the country's governor with the highest approval rating, odds are in his favor to win in the general election. New candidate Amanda Janoo, a progressive-leaning activist, beat lobbyist Aly Richards for the Democratic nomination for governor. Janoo is relatively new to the political world outside of Burlington. Richards is the well-known head of Let's Grow Kids, an advocacy group for child care workers, who had recently successfully advocated for an income tax surcharge to subsidize childcare, which many opposed.

The primary has set us up with a Lieutenant Governor match that will be close and the most hotly contested race of the 2026 election. Former Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray beat out Ryan McClaren for the Democratic nomination in a very close race. McClaren, widely popular in Chittenden County, could not beat the name recognition and rural support of Gray. This race will set her against popular Republican incumbent John Rogers in November. It's likely that Gray will easily win Chittenden County, but the race in rural Vermont might swing to Rogers for his success in working with activists to overturn portions of Act 181 in the 2026 session, which had repealed several unpopular development laws.

The most watched race in August was the Chittenden County state's attorney seat. Sarah George, the incumbent, won despite wide opposition to her handling of crime in the city. Bram Kranichfeld, former Franklin County state's attorney, ran against her, vowing to change policy and work toward cleaning up the city. George won the race by less than 10% of the Democratic vote. However, Kranichfeld was close, and he successfully won a write-in campaign on the Republican ballot, as there were no candidates listed from the party. It's unclear whether Kranichfeld will accept the Republican nomination and run in the general election.

The remaining seats were won handily by incumbents throughout the state. ABC NH/VT will be monitoring races and working with candidates to help forge our relationships when we get back to the Statehouse in January. If you have any questions about the election or the association's advocacy work, please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.

August 11th Vermont Primary Election – Your Voice is Your Vote, Make it Heard

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:02:26 GMT

Early mail in voting has already begun for the August 11^th Vermont primary election. Candidates for Governor to Legislators have been canvassing, fundraising, rallying and asking for your vote. Traditionally primary elections have very low turnouts compared to general elections. This dangerous trend has led to fringe candidates making it to the general election leaving little to no choice for common sense candidates.

What’s at stake?

Many counties in Vermont are controlled by single political parties. In fact, in many races the general election has only one candidate with no challengers at all. This means the real race is during the primary to decide how your district will behave once elected. In some areas the lack of election challengers allows extreme fringe candidates to easily win.

What we do know is that not all members of a political party are the same. There are wide deltas in policy between centrist and fringe candidates, so we need to figure out who are the contractor champions and vote them in the August 11 primary.

Next Steps

Are you registered to vote?? Visit the Vermont Secretary of States Election Division to check your registration status and register if need be. If you are already registered, they have already mailed you a ballot. You may register up until and at the voting booth see instructions online.
Research your candidates. Vermont Public has a great Candidate Tool that you can simply type in your address and learn who is running in your district. Often you can search candidates names and locations to find their websites/social media to learn more. Sometimes the best thing to do is contact them directly to learn more!
Most important is to get out and vote. You can visit your town clerk to vote early or show up August 11^th for the in person voting. Check your towns voting hours in advance. Find ways to allow you and your staff to get to the voting booth (maybe early) especially if travelling to job sites out of your/their locale. Travelling to jobsites has been a major hurdle for workers who want to vote.
Sharing this information within your office and personal spheres is critical. There is a lot at stake this year and we need more Contractor Champions in office to keep your state moving in the right direction.

Please contact Matt Musgrave, ABC Vermont Regional Director, matt@abcnhvt.org with any questions about registering, engaging your candidates or having a get out the vote event at your organization.

2025/2026 Vermont Legislative Biennium Adjournment Report

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:40:06 GMT

2025/2026 Vermont Legislative Biennium Adjournment Report

The 2025/2026 legislative biennium adjourned on May 29, 2026, completing the business of the state and allowing legislators to return to their home districts in time to campaign for the 2026 election. There is no additional time scheduled for this year to address several of Governor Phil Scotts vetoes within the session. The lack of veto session this year, unlike the prior session is likely because the Democrats do not have a supermajority which would allow the Republicans the opportunity to sustain gubernatorial vetoes. Governor Scott made 13 vetoes during the biennium ranging topics related to employment practices, healthcare costs, energy, environment and data center development.

The Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT participated in the passage, amendment or successful opposition to 42 bills during the session. Vermont Regional Director Matt Musgrave under the lead of the ABC NH/VT Board of Directors and Vermont Legislative Committee and with participation of members engaged legislative leaders through testimony, letters of support and grassroots lobbying. Of the 42 bills introduced 20 would have had serious negative effects on construction and employment throughout Vermont.

ABC NH/VT was successful in ushering “must pass” bills like the Transportation and Capital Construction budgets to the finish line. Rigorous attention was needed this biennium and ABC NH/VT along with its association network had a successful year protecting employers.

Below are some highlights from the 2025/2026 biennium:

H.161 Fair Repair Act Defeated- would have required original equipment manufacturers of many products to release plans, schematics and wholesale pricing to the general public. This would have the effect of closing authorized retail and repair shops around Vermont forcing contractors to seek out of state supplies and expertise to repair equipment delaying projects and increasing costs.
H.205 Agreements Not to Compete Defeated- would have created a prohibition on non-compete agreements for certain salaries and prohibited “stay or pay” agreements that employers use with sign on bonus expectations or training/tuition advancement agreements with employees.
H.230 Fair Employment Practices Defeated/Vetoed- originally was written to add domestic assault and other crimes to standards used in employee leave and other employment programs. ABC NH/VT testified in opposition to one section of the bill which would have created a Heat Standard for employees creating mandates for “feels like” temperatures above 80 degrees. Although the Heat Standard was removed prior to passage by the House and Senate, Governor Scott vetoed the bill for separate sections that remained.
H.344 Good Cause Standard for Termination Defeated- would have eliminated Vermont employment at will standard replacing it with a three strike standard including “cause” requirements and upon termination would require employers to provide severance until the employee found a new job. This would create courtroom conflict when terminating employees for any reason.
H.259/S.62 Privatization Contracts Defeated- would create additional reporting requirements for state contracts including that wages/benefits for workers would be set to state negotiated union rates and would require owners of awarded companies to disclose not only documents related to the contract but also open company books including owners personal tax returns to the state auditors office.
S.90 Employee Privacy Defeated- would have created a prohibition on any pre-employment screening of applicants including criminal and background checks.
S.125 Collective Bargaining Defeated/Vetoed- included provisions requiring more reporting from contractors wages and worker information for capital construction projects in Vermont and allow “card check” a controversial union organizing tool for state employees. Testimony by ABC NH/VT removed contractor reporting requirements from the bill which was later vetoed by the governor for the state employee union sections.
H.589 6-Year Statute of Repose to Real Property Failed to Pass- this policy has been a priority for both home builders and commercial contractors which would have created a statute of limitations of 6 years for suits related to building failures. After several years of efforts, the bill made it further than ever, but time ran short and it failed to pass prior to adjournment. Its likely to pass in the next biennium.
H.718 Building Efficiency Failed to Pass- would have created a working group intended to create rules around Vermonts energy efficiency laws. The bill which failed to pass would have added ABC NH/VT to the working group.
S.313 Transforming Vermonts Career and Technical Education system PASSED- After participating with a summer study group in 2025 ABC NH/VT help pass S.313 designed to create better outcomes, programming and funding for CTE centers. The bill also addresses providing alternatives for students who could not access the programs by using other local opportunities.
S.328 Housing and Common Interest Communities PASSED WITH CHANGES- the original bill was introduced with some great additions and continuations to housing finance, bonding and development law. One poison pill added to the bill but defeated by ABC NH/VT was a “union bonus” which would have allowed contractors using union labor additional exemptions from Act 250.

Vermont Legislative Update May 27, 2026

Tue, 26 May 2026 19:04:25 GMT

Vermont Legislative Update May 27, 2026

We were told adjournment for the 2026 Vermont Legislative session would be Friday, May 22nd but those dates sometimes change. Almost a week later the legislature is still working its way through some must pass bills including the state budget and the yield bill which creates the state property tax rate for school funding. Legislators are eager to adjourn for personal endeavors and to begin working on their campaigns.

Bill S.325, which relates to land use which originated in the Senate to make some correctional changes to Act 250 and tiered land development has just left a conference committee. The bill was amended by the House to repeal significant changes made in Act 181 in prior years. The repeals included the Tier 3 land use area and the "road rule". Both of those policies were hotly opposed by a large contingent of lobbyists and landowners as a "land grab" by politicians. The conference committee made some changes to the House amendment but kept the spirit of the repeals. The changes will likely be agreed to by the full legislature and make the changes to law.

The state budget and school yield bills are moving through conference committees as well to be voted out this week. Last week a potential compromise was made between Governor Scott and the majority in the legislature to make some changes to school programming including whether and how to close unused schools in Vermont. The compromise was likely in response to a veto threat to the state budget which could cause a state government shutdown. It's likely the bills will pass and session adjourn, but a veto is still possible.

As of this writing, the last week of the session, ABC NH/VT is proud to announce we have accomplished our goals in the legislature this year. We successfully opposed many bills that would negatively impact contractors and businesses while at the same time helping good bills related to technical education and workforce come to pass. A detailed report of the session will be released in the coming weeks.

Lastly, ABC NH/VT will be launching a political action committee (PAC) with members who volunteer over the next month. The purpose of the PAC will be to raise funds to promote candidates in the 2026 election that champion the needs of contractors. Watch out for more news on this topic. Contact Matt Musgrave, Vermont Regional Director matt@abcnhvt.org, if you are interested in participating.

Vermont Legislative Update- April 28, 2026

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:05:32 GMT

As Vermont moves from winter into spring, the Legislature is entering a critical stretch of the session. With lawmakers aiming to adjourn by the end of May while preserving time in June for a potential veto session, the pace at the State House is accelerating. Committee agendas suggest priorities are narrowing, with housing, land use, and workforce regulation taking center stage.

Act 181 and Land Use Reform

A major focus this session has been ongoing debate around Act 181, enacted in 2022, which established a three-tiered land use framework and expanded triggers for Act 250 permitting.

Concerns have grown among property owners—particularly in rural communities—over provisions viewed as burdensome, costly, and restrictive. Two provisions have drawn especially strong opposition:

The “Road Rule” – triggering Act 250 jurisdiction for roads, driveways, or common community drives exceeding 2,000 feet
Tier 3 Requirements – requiring permits for many changes in land use, impacting farming and rural development

In response, large groups of citizens have mobilized at the State House advocating for repeal and restoration of what they view as important property rights protections.

There are signs of movement: the House Committee on Environment appears poised to advance provisions repealing both the Road Rule and Tier 3 requirements. While many stakeholders welcome this development, questions remain about whether the full Legislature—particularly the Senate—will support the reforms.

Extreme Heat Workplace Legislation

Another significant issue this session has been proposed statewide workplace heat regulations.

Labor advocates advanced language through S.230, a fair employment practices bill, that would have created new employer obligations whenever the “feels like” temperature exceeded 80 degrees. Proposed requirements included:

Additional mandated breaks and downtime
Site-specific heat response plans
Monitoring equipment purchases
Expanded safety protocols beyond current federal OSHA standards

ABC NH/VT and allied business advocates raised concerns about the proposal, with Vermont Regional Director, Matt Musgrave, noting that existing OSHA protections, including the General Duty Clause and OSHA 300 reporting requirements, already address heat and other recognized workplace hazards, backed by substantial enforcement penalties.

Following stakeholder engagement and committee testimony, the heat standard language was removed from the House amendment proposal to the Senate bill by the House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs and returned to the Senate. At this time, the Senate is expected to concur with the amendment and advance the bill as recommended by the House.

Looking Ahead

With only weeks remaining in the legislative session, major policy decisions are moving quickly. ABC NH/VT continues to monitor developments closely and advocate for practical, balanced policies that support Vermont’s construction industry, workforce, and economy.

We will continue to provide updates as the session progresses.

Vermont Advocacy Update- March 17, 2026

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:04:00 GMT

Crossover in the legislature is the deadline for the House or Senate chambers to pass bills they’ve introduced and send them to the other chamber to agree, amend, or let the bill die before the end of the session. That day was last Friday for policy bills and this Friday for “money” bills that require consideration from the appropriations committees. If a bill does not pass out of its chamber by now, it’s effectively dead unless a special rule suspension occurs. Rule suspensions are extremely rare and require mitigating circumstances to be considered.

Being an election year, with Governor Scott having the support to sustain vetoes, on top of the end of COVID funding from the federal government, we saw some pause out of Montpelier. Gone from introduction (with some exceptions) are wild policy bills with expensive price tags and tepid support from a wide swath of Vermonters. What made it through were mostly “must-pass” bills like the basic budgets and some other rather “tame” bills compared to years past. Of the 30–40 bills being tracked by ABC NH/VT, only a handful passed, and the pundits are optimistic for a quick adjournment with few surprises.

ABC NH/VT participated in and testified on several labor bills introduced by the unions. Some created employer mandates such as a “right to sit,” and some attempted to use law to expand unionization. These bills that would have impacted contractors are now effectively dead due to ABC NH/VT’s and others’ opposition, but staff will continue to monitor them to prevent them from being tacked on to other bills.

The abolition of “non-compete agreements” and “pay or stay agreements” failed to pass out of the Commerce Committee. Matt Musgrave of ABC NH/VT participated in lobbying efforts and sat on a study group opposing the bill. ABC NH/VT’s opposition focused on protecting “stay or pay” agreements between employers and workers. Those agreements include employers funding advancement training or hiring bonuses with the expectation that employees stay with their company or pay back the costs.

Another extension to exceptions of Act 250 has advanced, which was another win for contractors. The newest housing bill continues funding state NGOs like the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, which finances large housing projects. Although the process is moving in the right direction, some will be assembling on the State House lawn next week to ask for the repeal of Act 181, which created a tiered system for defining property types and permit requirements. Proponents of Act 181 say the tiered system offers clarity to developers, but most developers disagree, citing that the tiers are subjective and cut off land that should be developed.

The Senate passed a bill to improve the Career and Technical Education system in Vermont. The bill is largely built on the framework that a study committee—of which ABC NH/VT participated in—put together to help fund and expose young people to CTE programs. The House is expected to continue adding policy and refining the Senate proposal.

Adjournment is expected in late May, which will force legislators to work quickly through the coming weeks vetting and debating bills that crossed over, then setting committees of conference to agree—or not—to the terms of the bills crafted. It’s likely we will see one or more vetoes from Governor Scott, which would lead to a couple-day veto session likely held in June.

If you have any questions about Vermont’s advocacy work, please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.

Vermont Advocacy Update- February 17, 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:21:37 GMT

Vermont Advocacy Update- February 17, 2026

Suddenly and without warning legislative leaders and advocates realized that “crossover” is less than a month away causing a quick uptick in the pace in the state house. At the same time, tension amongst legislators and advocates rose at the same pace. If bills do not cross over from the House to the Senate and vice versa before March 13^th give or take a day or two the bills will die for the biennium. Add that we are in an election year, and we see that intensity build fast.

For the most part, new bills have ceased to be introduced. Leaders in either chamber can choose to suspend rules to introduce new bills such as municipality charter changes and other priority issues but the reasons are limited. Instead, committees have ended ceremonial introductions and non-impactful updates from their daily agendas and have moved on to impactful and essential legislation.

The Transportation committees are moving quickly through their bills. House Transportation is responsible for the “T Fund” bill which allocates funding to projects at the state and municipal levels. Senate Transportation creates the “DMV” bill which changes things like motor vehicle law, and fees for various licenses and registrations. These bills are generally non-controversial but towns and VTRANS (VT Agency of Transportation) are keenly watching to ensure their budgets and policy goals are reached. The biggest challenge the committees are facing today is a $35 million shortfall in state funding due to shrinking gas tax revenues. That shortfall will result in the loss of $100+/- million match funds from the Federal government next year. ABC NH/VT and several other associations are working hard to help Governor Scott negotiate with the legislature on how and where to identify the short money. In a tight year that is focused on healthcare and education will make identifying the funds challenging but necessary.

The House Commerce committee is focusing on the broader 2027 state budget hearing testimony from both state and organizations seeking to remain funded in the coming years. Those budget items range from workforce development, tourism, housing, regional development and regional economic organizations. Again, being fairly non controversial these negotiations are almost done and will head to the floor for vote cleanly before crossover.

Your association will remain at the forefront of advocacy for the construction profession. If you have any questions about Vermont advocacy or the legislature please contact Matt Musgrave matt@abcnhvt.org.

Vermont Legislative Update- January 6, 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:52:42 GMT

Today, January 6, the Vermont Legislature gavels back in to complete their work for the 2025/2026 biennium. Last year, over 30 bills (of 700+/- introduced) had direct impacts on contracting, economy and business that ABC NH/VT tracked. Of those bills ABC staff and members were able to make effective changes to bills that passed and successfully opposed bills that would be negative to our community. This year we are back, those bills are technically still in play, and advocates anticipate another 600-700 bill introductions in the coming weeks.

Your legislative team headed up by staff, the ABC NH/VT board, Vermont legislative committee, contract lobbyists and members like you who can help make a difference with our elected officials. In the coming weeks staff will closely examine bills that are being introduced looking for good policy to support and analyze the devils in the details to identify bills that may be problematic.

Once staff clearly identifies the impact of policy the Legislative Committee discusses whether it would negatively or positively impact the construction industry and make recommendations to the ABC NH/VT board of directors. The board then decides how staff and the legislative team would react to legislation. There are multiple ways ABC NH/VT will react from direct lobbying efforts, coalition building, professional testimony, member testimony and messaging.

The goal of industry input is to educate the legislators on these impacts because often times, they have a “great idea”, but don’t know enough about how it might impact industry. This dialog with leaders helps us amend, support, or oppose bills which then helps elected officials in their decision making.

Its all about the great relationships that your association and members share with legislators and elected officials that makes our collective voices heard. That’s the power of association.

If you have any questions or interest in participating in the Vermont Legislative Committee please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.

New Hampshire Posts Third-Lowest Construction Unemployment Rate Nationwide at 2.0% in September 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:04:31 GMT

New Hampshire Posts Third-Lowest Construction Unemployment Rate in the Nation at 2.0% in September 2025 – A Clear Indicator of Strong Demand for Skilled Craftspeople

CONCORD, NH – According to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), New Hampshire's estimated not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate stood at an impressive 2.0% in September 2025 – ranking third lowest among all states nationwide, behind only Oklahoma (1.4%) and Hawaii (1.7%).

This exceptionally low rate underscores the robust health of New Hampshire's commercial and multi-family residential construction sector and highlights a persistent, high demand for skilled craft professionals across the Granite State.

"The construction industry in New Hampshire continues to thrive, with projects in commercial development, multi-family housing, and infrastructure driving steady opportunities," said Josh Reap, President and CEO of the ABC New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter. "A 2.0% unemployment rate in our sector is not just a statistic – it's a strong signal that employers are actively seeking qualified electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, and other skilled tradespeople. Despite broader economic headwinds like rising material costs and interest rate challenges, demand remains elevated, creating rewarding career paths for those entering or advancing in the trades."

Nationally, the construction unemployment rate was 3.8% in September 2025, with all 50 states recording rates below 10%. New Hampshire's performance places it among the top states benefiting from ongoing investment in building projects, supported by a workforce known for its quality and productivity.

Reap added, "At ABC NH/VT, we're proud to connect merit shop contractors with the talent they need through our apprenticeship programs, training initiatives, and workforce development efforts. This low unemployment rate is a positive testament to the industry's resilience and growth potential, but it also reminds us of the ongoing need to attract and train the next generation of craft professionals."

For more information on career opportunities in construction or to learn about ABC's training programs in New Hampshire and Vermont, visit www.abcnhvt.org.

Vermont Advocacy Update- November 4, 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:54:17 GMT

ABC NH/VT is continuing its preparations for the 2026 legislative session and things are heating up. A new Legislative Affairs Committee focusing on Vermont is forming with its first meeting being scheduled for mid-November. You can sign up for the committee by CLICKING HERE. Additionally, staff are tracking policy makers and working with partners to prep for the session.

One valued ABC NH/VT partner is the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce who represents a large group of Vermont employers and often leads on certain economic issues in the state house. Vermont Regional Director, Matt Musrave, has been participating in the chambers “Legislator Speed Dating” events across Northwestern Vermont.

The “speed dating” events were created so that legislators could meet with large groups of their constituents to hear concerns, accolades and needs of the community.

The format for the event has businesses assembling at tables, generally within the same industry, and legislators visit each table for a set time before moving on to the next group. The process, although simple in design, forced the legislators to think quickly and on their toes.

Workforce housing was the primary topic at the ABC NH/VT table which also included several builders. The housing need transcends simply “producing homes for profit” because its impacting the ability of contractors to hire and retain talent. The cost of living is just another barrier to businesses recruiting efforts in a tight market due to population.

All of the legislators who responded to the housing questions were sincere in their concern and had ideas to help. Those ideas included expanding on Act 250 exemptions and changes to municipal zoning requirements. Time will tell what the legislators are able to do in the coming session on housing and ABC NH/VT will be an advocate for the needs of contractors through the process.

Vermont Update- October 21, 2025

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:40:46 GMT

As 2025 draws to a close your staff at ABC NH/VT is looking ahead to another successful year through planning. Staff are scrambling to decide what programs, events, training and engagement opportunities are most important to members and create a calendar to reach those goals. Two new committees popping up this year in Vermont include legislative and workforce goals. Both committees are open to any ABC NH/VT company and their employees.

One of ABC NH/VTs strong points is Government Affairs with years of successfully supporting the industry by opposing bad policy and supporting good policy. This year Vermont will stand up its own Legislative Affairs Committee to track bills and decide how or whether there should be involvement by ABC NH/VT. The committee will meet twice per month through the legislative cycle (January-May) and then as needed through the election cycle of 2026. Members of the committee can be both experienced “policy wonks” or brand new to how the legislative process works. What is important is that members meet and share their expertise so that staff may understand the impact of Vermont legislation on the construction community. In some cases, there will be opportunities for members to come to Montpelier and share their experience should they choose.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the Vermont Legislative Affairs committee. The first meeting will be called mid-November to decide on priorities and an ongoing meeting schedule through 2026.

ABC NH/VT is also excited to announce the development of the Vermont Workforce Development Committee which also serves as an advisor to the Vermont Construction Academy (VCA). This committee will meet 6 times throughout the year to talk about workforce initiatives, employer engagement with recruits at ABC/VCA and programming needed to fulfill employer needs. This important committee will be critical to connecting employers and recruits.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the Workforce Development Committee. The first meeting will be called mid-November to decide on an ongoing schedule through 2026.

If you have questions about either committee, please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.

Vermont Advocacy Update – October 7, 2025

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:30:16 GMT

The Vermont legislature reconvenes in just three short months to begin the second year of the biennium — an election year. Although it is an election year, voter turnout in Vermont is typically much lower during midterm elections than during presidential years. Those who do turn out are what Vermont political circles often call “super voters,” meaning they participate in every election, from local town issues all the way up the ballot. These “super voters” tend to vote based on issues, so legislators are especially motivated to pass strong policy during midterm years.

One such issue expected to come before the legislature is how Vermont treats its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and schools. Last year, a sweeping education bill passed that targeted K–12 educational funding and institutions, seeking to trim costs and create more efficiencies in programming and districting. This year, CTE centers face similar measures and planning efforts.

ABC NH/VT was invited to a CTE legislative planning series featuring several legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Senate Economic Development and Housing Committee Chair Alison Clarkson, Senate Finance Committee member Ruth Hardy, House Commerce Chair Michael Marcotte, and House Commerce member Edye Granning.
In addition to the elected officials, attendees included several CTE superintendents, representatives from the Vermont Department of Education, a technical education teacher from Otter Valley UHS, Vermont Construction Academy Chair Jon Pizzagalli, ABC NH/VT Vermont Regional Director Matt Musgrave, members of the Vermont Business Roundtable, and two CTE students.

The purpose of the event was to help legislators generate ideas for bills to be introduced in the 2026 session. Early drafts of a “CTE Bill” are already in the works, and it was suggested that Senator Ruth Hardy might sponsor the legislation. Although the drafting process is not secretive, advocates and the public typically do not see full bills until they are formally introduced in January or February, so this process serves as an input stage for legislators.

The first of several meetings to be held around the state focused on one key question:

Who should CTE serve?
a. When should students learn about CTE — pre-grade, middle school, or earlier?
b. How do we define CTE, and what does it look like at each stage of the continuum?

Before diving into the agenda, the CTE superintendents shared a presentation they had prepared for legislators, based on internal polling. The polling explored whether CTEs preferred remaining within local districts or would benefit from district consolidation — similar to the challenges facing K–12 schools. The PowerPoint presentation outlined their concerns and opportunities; however, the group was unable to reach a consensus on potential changes, concluding instead to maintain the status quo.

Participants then broke into four small groups to discuss the agenda questions. There were many familiar topics, but also valuable new insights. For example, CTE data revealed that by the time a student reaches 7th grade, they often already know whether they plan to graduate from high school. This finding underscores the importance of exposing students to different industries — including construction — earlier in their education.

A shared topic across the groups was what admissions requirements should exist for CTE programs. Stafford Technical Center in Rutland shared that it enforces very strict admission guidelines, including academic performance, attendance records, and behavioral background. The superintendent noted that even one unexcused absence could disqualify a student. In contrast, Hannaford CTE, just 20 miles away, has no such restrictions. This sparked a thoughtful discussion about barriers to access and inclusion within CTE programming.

The admissions discussion naturally led to the topic of tuition and funding. Participants questioned whether CTE programs create financial strain on K–12 budgets, and whether that influences admissions policies. Several attendees also suggested separating funding streams to clearly distinguish between school districts and CTEs.

Time ran out quickly, but many of the key questions were addressed and valuable notes were taken. The next meeting is scheduled for the end of October in Springfield, Vermont, and ABC NH/VT will be there once again — sharing the needs of industry with educators and legislators in hopes of advancing effective policy when the State House reconvenes in January.

Vermont Government Affairs Update — September 2, 2025

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:33:57 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update — September 2, 2025

As we turn the corner into September, with fall right around the corner, activity is starting to ramp up with Vermont legislators. We are entering the second year of the 2025 biennium, and bills from last year are waiting on legislators’ desks while new ones are being drafted. A typical biennium produces over 1,400 bills, from which lawmakers must select a small group of “must-pass” items—such as the capital budget and transportation bill—along with a limited number of other legislative priorities. During the fall, legislators work with stakeholders to craft bills that reflect their priorities.

One policy area where ABC NH/VT will be engaged is the proposed prohibition of noncompete agreements. Business organizations generally oppose such prohibitions, and ABC NH/VT will look to its members to help shape a specific policy position on any legislation that emerges.

Employers cite different reasons for using a noncompete clause or agreement during hiring. Some want to protect proprietary intellectual property; others aim to safeguard client and supplier lists. Employers may also worry that investments in workforce training could lead to employees “walking across the street” to a competitor. In some cases, franchise agreements include noncompete clauses.

Labor advocates regularly argue that noncompete agreements are harmful to workers. They view them as tools employers use to suppress wages by limiting a worker’s ability to change jobs and thus avoid wage competition.

In Vermont, construction companies are facing a labor shortage. This generally requires employers to offer competitive wages and benefits to attract the right talent. Employers also recognize that asking an employee to sign a noncompete without a clear rationale could be a disadvantage in the marketplace. There are, however, circumstances in which a construction employer and employee might enter into a noncompete—such as in connection with employer-sponsored advancement training or other proprietary functions.

ABC NH/VT will participate in a stakeholder group on noncompetes throughout the fall in preparation for the legislative session. Please reach out to Vermont’s Regional Director, Matt, at matt@abcnhvt.org to share any stories or insights you may have on this topic. Also be on the lookout for invitations to the Government Affairs Committee, which will resume in a few weeks to prepare for the 2026 legislative session and election season.

Building momentum for free enterprise in construction

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:13:23 GMT

In 1985, the top movie in America was the Michael J. Fox classic Back to the Future. Watching it was an experience that you enjoyed as a kid and then a movie you enjoyed sharing with your kids in turn. It stands the test of time.

1985 is also the year that a group of a dozen contractors dedicated to the merit shop philosophy and inspired by the Live Free or Die attitude of our great State, came together to form the NH/VT Associated Builders and Contractors chapter.

When asked about what the “merit shop philosophy” is, I say it is a movement for the betterment of the individual, the construction industry and our country. It is about a belief in free enterprise, and that both employees and employers should have the right to determine wages and working conditions through either individual or collective bargaining, as they choose, within the boundaries of the law but not otherwise compelled by government mandate.

The merit shop philosophy embraces responsible leadership and stewardship by both employees and employers. It reflects the belief that fair play for both employer and employee – through ensuring general employee welfare, satisfactory performance of assigned work and fair compensation for work performed - is essential to the preservation of our free enterprise system.

Today, 40 years since that initial group of a dozen founders came together, the ABC NH/VT chapter is the leading professional construction association in New England, including nearly 300 construction companies and industry serving firms. Our member companies represent thousands of skilled employees who are literally building New Hampshire every day and providing essential services to our friends, families, neighbors and businesses large and small alike.

Over the past four decades, we are particularly proud of having skilled or upskilled thousands of construction workers and craft professionals. Concern over a lack of skilled workers in the trades has finally become a regular part of the workforce development conversation, but for us, addressing that concern it has always been a top priority. To that end, ABC NH/VT is the sponsor of New Hampshire’s only multi-employer Registered Apprenticeship Carpentry program, which collaborates with New Hampshire’s Community College system to answer the industry’s need for more skilled tradespeople. We also created the “I Build New Hampshire” branding – found at www.ibuildnh.org – which helps raise career opportunity awareness to students and adult decision makers in their lives. The program even partnered with NH PBS to produce a robust “hero story” video series.

Advocacy is a critical element of ABC NH/VT, and we are proud of our role as a leading voice for improving the construction environment in our State, and as a subject matter resource for leaders of both parties to address critical issues for the common good. This year we are seeing promising gains in the future of housing construction with thoughtful building and permitting reforms promoted by Governor Ayotte and legislative leaders. We are grateful to the Governor and all leaders who come together to solve important issues like this one collaboratively and creatively.

Looking ahead, we urge the State to take on construction proposal and bid reform to ensure the most efficient process possible, and a level playing field for both union and non-union employers alike. Punitive measures such as project labor agreements often disadvantage non-union, merit shop contractors—excluding them from the negotiation process and forcing them to adhere to union-specific work rules. These agreements may require companies to recognize unions for job representation, use union hiring halls for workforce recruitment, and abide by union benefit structures.

These types of PLA agreements – common in Massachusetts – can increase construction costs by 20%, reduce competition and close the door on non-union employers. With 90% of New Hampshire’s workforce non-union, a policy that simply says government will remain neutral and not mandate PLAs would embody the New Hampshire way and ensure fair treatment for these thousands of employees.

One of the most memorable lines from Back to the Future comes from Doc Brown at the end when he says “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” While we may wish to see some of the futuristic elements from the movie, we’re still going to need roads. And bridges, houses, apartments, commercial buildings, schools, churches and community centers. As we celebrate 40 great years as an Association, we are proud that we too have stood the test of time. We look forward to the next 40 years and beyond of building the future for the Granite State.

Josh Reap is President and CEO of the Association of Builders and Contractors for NH / VT, based in Concord. He lives in Candia.

New Hampshire Among Top States for Lowest Construction Unemployment in June

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:49:23 GMT

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.

“This report confirms what we’re seeing on the ground in New Hampshire—our construction sector remains strong,” said Josh Reap, President & CEO of ABC NH/VT. “With workforce development programs like apprenticeship training and outreach to the next generation of builders, we’re working to ensure that growth continues.”

According to ABC’s analysis, every state in the country posted a construction unemployment rate below 10% in June. Nationally, the rate stood at 3.4%, with New Hampshire coming in at nearly two full percentage points lower.

This was New Hampshire’s third-lowest June construction unemployment rate on record, reinforcing the state's resilience and ongoing demand for skilled tradespeople.

Estimated state construction unemployment rates were lower than their pre-pandemic level in three-quarters of states. As of June 2025, 37 states had lower construction unemployment rates compared to June 2019 while 12 states had higher rates, and one state (Kansas) had the same rate.

“While June state construction unemployment rates continue to indicate a relatively healthy level of construction employment, uneasiness that the economy might weaken over the remainder of this year and into 2026 is producing some hesitancy among builders and developers about proceeding with new projects,” said Bernard Markstein, president and chief economist of Markstein Advisors, who conducted the analysis for ABC.

“The impact of tariffs on building materials is already showing up in some prices. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding the level of tariffs on building materials going forward and how long they will be in place hangs over the industry. Further, the industry continues to face elevated interest rates and higher labor costs. Although most builders are loath to lay off workers at present, they are more cautious in their hiring.”

Context Behind the Numbers

While construction employment remains solid across the U.S., economists caution that inflation, tariffs on materials, and high interest rates continue to shape the industry’s outlook.

“Although most builders are loath to lay off workers at present, they are more cautious in their hiring,” said Bernard Markstein, president and chief economist of Markstein Advisors, who conducted the analysis for ABC.

Strong Workforce, Strong Future

Despite broader economic uncertainties, New Hampshire’s consistently low unemployment rate in construction speaks to its vibrant construction economy and ongoing investments in workforce development.

“New Hampshire’s builders are hiring—and training—the next generation,” said Reap. “With continued public and private support, we’ll keep moving this industry forward.”

To view national and state-by-state charts of construction unemployment, visit: https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases

Click here to view graphs of U.S. and state overall unemployment rates (Tab 1) and construction unemployment rates (Tab 2) showing the impact of the pandemic, including a graphing tool that creates a chart for multiple states.

To better understand the basis for calculating unemployment rates and what they measure, check out the Background on State Construction Unemployment Rates.

ABC NH/VT represents 270 firms in Northern New England. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC NH/VT is a chapter of the national Associated Builders & Contractors, and has the mission of helping members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

Vermont Update July 21, 2025

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:44:09 GMT

Vermont Update July 21, 2025

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.

In addition to construction skills these learners are also picking up soft skills from local community members. They have had weekly construction math instruction from high school math teachers donating their time. They received a financial literacy session from local bank Peoples Trust Co. Team building is another soft skill introduced by multiple group tactics.

It wont be long now before this cohort finds its way into the workforce. We trust that with Ross’ instruction and the commitment of the learners that they will be a positive force in the industry.

The demand is so high for this training that a second unplanned cohort has been created beginning in late August to account for the demand. This “good problem” of full classrooms gives us hope that trends are moving in the direction that more people are interested in the trades than any time in recent years. We must take advantage of this interest and the VCA is promoting the great values of ABC NH/VT members and the community.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- July 8, 2025

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 16:40:00 GMT

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 24^th 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.

After arriving in DC several members decided it was time to see the city and check out some of the national treasures we have. They joined Vermont Regional Director Matt Musgrave on what he dubs “Honest Matts Scooter Tour” which began at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum (no scooters in building) and proceeded to go through the national mall seeing the capital building, Washington Monument, World War 2 Memorial, all the way to the Lincoln Memorial and then a loop around the Whitehouse.

After sightseeing everyone returned to the hotels to put on tuxedos for the ABC 75^th Anniversary Gala which was hosted by President George W Bush. This was an amazing event where members got to celebrate 75 years of Merit Shop success and hear a very personal account of the former Presidents time in office.

Wednesday the 25^th was all about business and members visited our congressional delegation. The group split to meet with both NH and VT delegates. First off for Vermont was Representative Becca Balint who invited us into the private office for a great discussion about what we were doing at the Vermont Construction Academy (VCA) to upskill and build the workforce. Balint was more than excited to hear about the industry led effort to tackle the challenges in our workforce and vowed to keep apprenticeship programs alive in the future to bolster our work.

Next, there was a rare and exclusive trip under the capital building in tunnels to go visit the Senate with the first stop being Senator Peter Welch. Welch’s staff had been reporting to him about the great work at the VCA and he applauded our efforts. He also said he would be willing to work towards expanding apprenticeship programs and wanted to work with ABC NH/VT to find good policies he would be able to introduce in future sessions.

The last stop was a trip to Senator Bernie Sanders office. Sanders has not spent a lot of time in Washington DC as he is on a national tour already working on future campaigns, but attendees got to meet with his staff. Although the staff was cordial and inviting it was clear that Sander’s policy agenda does not match that of the Merit Shop, which was no surprise to anyone.

The annual Legislative Convention happens in June and ABC NH/VT encourages members to consider the trip to see not only the power behind our national association but how impactful it is to our congressional delegates to hear directly from business leaders. Please reach out to matt@abcnhvt.org or josh@abcnhvt.org if you have any interest in joining us next year!

New Hampshire Government Affairs Update- June 17, 2025

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:08:41 GMT

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 30^th, 2026. The sum is $5 million. Although a good move, not enough especially with the focus on Housing this session.

Deep cuts have been made to many agencies. The other day they announced the members of the Committee of Conference for the FY 26/27 State Budget. ABC sent a letter to encouraging support for housing (click here). The economic multiplier of construction work would be the most wise and prudent investment the state can make this year.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- June 17, 2025

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:52:13 GMT

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.

A housing bill has crossed the finish line and has become law with the Governors’ signature. The bill itself leaves many hoping that next year more changes will come that will significantly impact/limit the challenges from Act 250 Vermont’s development law cited as the number one reason for the housing shortage. The bill that passed expands significantly on the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) which is one of the ways the state is trying to soften the cost of housing developments like permitting, engineering, and infrastructure by providing grants for different types of projects. While the grants will soften the blow of the cost, it does not directly change the causation of the high costs. Additionally, the bill would allow developers with approval from municipalities to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to fund infrastructure for projects by reducing the property tax on the development. These and a few other small policy changes are part of a larger effort to make housing more affordable in Vermont, while not addressing the giant elephant in the room: Act 250.

Another priority of the Democrats and Progressives in the legislature is the extension of a previously Federally funded program under COVID to place homeless families in hotels. Once the Federal funding ended legislators redirected some remaining CRF funds to the program which have since run out. Governor Scott is unwilling to extend the program citing, “Rather than continuing to fund a program that isn’t good for those in it, I believe we should focus on real solutions like building additional shelter capacity and requirements to engage in work, training, and treatment for those who need it,”. It is unlikely that the legislature will have the votes to override the veto as its unpopular with Republicans who would be needed to support it.

NH Government Affairs Update- June 2, 2025

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:12:42 GMT

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.

Contractors proposed several solutions: announcing project budgets before bidding, allowing agencies to conduct contract reviews simultaneously, and exploring the use of electronic sign-offs to streamline approvals.

The DAS is actively working to improve these processes, and further discussions are planned.

ABC leadership is encouraged by the progress but notes that additional reforms are still needed, including better project documentation, change order management, and improved collaboration across agencies.