Skilled Construction Trades and Respected Contractors
Building Wisconsin Together ®
Welcome to Construction Business Group's Industry Updates.  This monthly e-newsletter will help us communicate the important initiatives that we have underway and relevant updates on issues that impact Wisconsin's construction industry.  
Message from Executive Director  Robb Kahl

As those of you in Southeast Wisconsin may know, CBG investigator Bill Wilson retired this month. Bill dedicated 10 years to CBG after retiring from law enforcement. Anyone who met Bill knows that he will be remembered with fondness. Bill's positive attitude, loyalty and hard work made a significant mark on the legacy of CBG.
 
While Bill leaves behind some big shoes to fill, CBG has found the right person for the job. Earlier this month, Jeff Hennen joined CBG as the Southeast Wisconsin investigator. Jeff was a 32-year member of the Waukesha Police Department, where his role as a field training officer had a positive influence on the entire Waukesha Police Department. Jeff is a long-time resident of Southeast Wisconsin, where he is currently raising his family.
 
CBG is also pleased to announce that we have added an investigator to our staff. Edna Baldwin joined CBG in September and will be working on a statewide basis as a supplemental resource for complex misclassification and payroll fraud investigations. Edna has an accounting degree and is fluent in Spanish. Prior to joining CBG, Edna worked in the labor compliance department for WisDOT. Edna lives in the Waukesha area with her husband and two children.
 
With the addition of Edna, CBG now has seven investigators protecting the construction industry. A map showing the territories of CBG's investigators and listing the name, telephone numbers and email addresses of each investigator is linked here. CBG's investigators are a resource for you, so please do not hesitate to contact them with questions or concerns regarding a job in your area.

SAVE THE DATE
 
CBG WINTER CONFERENCE
  
  February 22-23, 2018
Kalahari Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
 
State & Political Updates,  Legal Updates,  Compliance Hot Topics  and More

Hotel rooms may be booked by calling 877-253-5466.  Tell them you are booking with the Construction Business Group 2018 Winter Conference room block.

Building Wisconsin Together ®
October Externship a HUGE Success!

The Coloma training center hosted close to 300 students and educators on October 18th for the second Student & Educator Externship.  16 school districts attended the event and had an opportunity to tour the training center, test their skill on simulators and mini-excavators, learn about the Pre-Apprenticeship program and hear first hand from employers and apprentices about the exciting career path as an Operating Engineer.

A special thank you to the apprentices, Boldt, Michels Corporation and Walbec Group for participating on the apprentice/employer panel. 


"Just a quick thanks for inviting Tomah High School students to your externship day held on Oct. 18.  The tour of the state-of-the-art training center, overview of the Destinations Career Academy Pre-Apprenticeship Program and getting to experience and operate real-live equipment was simply awesome.  Students and teachers alike - we sure enjoyed our short time with you.  You opened up a huge career window for many of our students."
Industry News and Updates
From the News Stand
Program Provides Credit for Hiring Apprentices
  
The state Insurance Commissioner and Department of Workforce Development announced  approval of the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Credit Program that offers a premium credit up to $2,500 on an employer's Worker's Compensation premium if they employ an apprentice.
 
Foxconn Supplier Directory

This Foxconn Supplier Directory is designed to organize suppliers, across the state, who are interested in serving as a potential supplier to Foxconn Technology Group, who announced plans to build a world class manufacturing campus in Wisconsin.  To enter your company profile in the directory - Click Here!  
Governor Appoints Dan Meyer to Lead DNR

On September 25th, the Governor appointed Dan Meyer to serve as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
 
Dan Meyer represented the citizens of Oneida and Vilas County in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2001 to 2013. Prior to that, he served as Mayor of Eagle River and the Executive Director of the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.
 
We applaud the Governor's decision. The DNR has broad and far-reaching regulatory authority over business actions and activities which impact land, air and water. Secretary Meyer's legislative experience, local government background and work with hometown businesses will be put to good use.  

Legislative Alerts
Journeyman-to-apprentice bill moving toward vote

The state Legislature is likely to soon take up a bill that would prevent state officials from requiring that more than one journeyman ever supervise any one new apprentice.

State-mandated journeyman-to-apprentice ratios now vary by trade. For carpenters, for example, the mandatory ratio is one-to-one when there is only one apprentice in a class. But for every apprentice that joins after that, three more must be added.

Read more

Association News
DOT Projects FY 18 Let Level of $950-$980 Million

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) projected a contract let level range of $950 - $980 million for state fiscal year (FY) 2018, the first year of the 2017-19 budget, at WTBA's Fall Meeting.  That compares to a final FY 2017 let level of $946.4 million, boosted significantly by a competitive environment in which low bids were 11.8% less than WisDOT estimates -- resulting in $127 million in let savings.
 
Quantity estimates for FY 2018 were:
 
Asphalt:  2.2 million tons (5-year average:  2.7 million tons)
Concrete:  2.5 million square yards (2.2)
Excavation:  10.5 million cubic yards (10.8)
Base Course:  7.1 million tons (6.1)
Bridge Deck:  1.6 million square feet (2.7)
Milling:  6.9 million square yards (9.2)
Grinding:  8,000 square yards (189,000)
Striping:  26.6 million linear feet (35.1)
Rubblizing:  28,000 square yards (185,000)
 
 
The FY 2018 lets and quantity estimates above do not include any work related to the I-94 North South Corridor project, for which WisDOT will apply to U.S. DOT later for $300 million in INFRA discretionary grants.  If Wisconsin lands a grant, WisDOT is prepared to let $300 million in work along the corridor in May 2018.
 
 

Construction Business Group | 608-240-4170 | www.cbgwi.com
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