Category: Legislative Updates

AGC Survey Finds Contractors Have Mixed View on 2024 Market – Surprised?

Posted on
by LICA-National

Construction contractors have a decidedly mixed outlook for 2024 as firms predict transitions in demand for projects, the types of challenges they will face and the technologies, including artificial intelligence, they will embrace according to survey results the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage released today. Amid these changes, contractors are struggling to cope with significant labor shortages, the impacts of higher interest rates and input costs, and a supply chain that, while better, is still far from normal, according to A Construction Market in Transition: The 2024 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook.


View More →

Roadbuilders See Record Construction in 2024

Posted on
by LICA-National

What happened: Public highway, pavement, and street construction—the largest transportation market sector—is expected to grow by double digits for the second consecutive year, increasing 16 percent to $126 billion in 2024 from $108.6 billion in 2023, according to ARTBA Chief Economist Alison Premo Black’s annual market outlook.


View More →

LICA Joins Business Coalition to Encourage Family Business Tax Benefits

Posted on
by LICA-National

The Family Business Coalition (FBC), consisting of LICA and many small business interest groups, met this week to hear an update on tax provisions being considered and developed that would benefit small and medium sized family-owned business. FBC is a diverse collection of organizations and industry groups united for the common purpose of protecting America’s family businesses across the country. The monthly coalition meetings connect top decision makers from Capitol Hill with family business coalition partners, family business owners, and state-based allies. The group has the important task of monitoring and acting on legislation that affects family businesses in Congress. It is the voice of America’s main economic engine – family businesses – working together towards a better business climate that promotes private business expansion and job growth.


View More →

President Biden Convenes Infrastructure Advisory Group

Posted on
by LICA-National

Taking stock of an issue he has made a key domestic priority, President Joe Biden on Wednesday touted his administration’s progress in updating roads, bridges, railroads and more at a convening of his national infrastructure advisory council at the White House on Wednesday. The council includes senior executives from across sectors who advise the president on securing the nation’s infrastructure.


View More →

USDA and Department of Energy to Host Series of Listening Sessions on American Farms, Rural Benefits

Posted on
by LICA-National

Agencies Seek Input on How Clean Energy Siting Outcomes Can Benefit Farmers, Rural Americans The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a series of listening sessions this winter. The agencies invite perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the rapidly increasing levels of clean energy being sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities.


View More →

Congress Returns More Complicated Than Ever

Posted on
by LICA-National

Taking time out of Washington following a historic vote to expel one of their own, Congress returns this week maybe still hungover on turkey and pie but facing a full plate of unfinished business in a growingly complex legislative agenda. The spotlight on international events gives way for both sides to bring domestic issues to the negotiating table.


View More →

Global Climate Pressures Grow on Agriculture

Posted on
by LICA-National

We have reported before on the Administration’s emphasis on climate action across the government but most notably in agriculture and transportation. Climate advocacy groups are pressuring world governments gathered at this year’s United Nation’s COP28 climate conference in Dubai to commit to cutting global food sector emissions, as the conference host promises to put agriculture in the spotlight.


View More →

Holiday/Campaign Promises to be Remembered

Posted on
by LICA-National

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas and 2024 campaign seasons, both full of promises!

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently said he would offer to at least partially relocate the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Iowa if he is elected president — part of a federal agency relocation policy he shared Saturday while celebrating the completion of his visit to all 99 Iowa counties.

DeSantis, his campaign and supporters celebrated in Newton his touted completion of a "Full Grassley" tour to all of Iowa's counties. The "Full Grassley" was coined by longtime U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who travels to every Iowa county each year.

But DeSantis offered to bring more to Iowa in the future than himself and his family.

“We have to take power out of Washington, D.C., and send it to other parts of the country,” DeSantis said. As president, “I’m going to order all of our cabinet secretaries to reduce their agency’s footprint in Washington, D.C., by at least 50%.”