Local Government Affairs

ABC Leads the Fight on Issues that are Important to You

Government Affairs Team

ABC's Government Affairs council (GA) is dedicated to being your voice in Olympia as the champion of free enterprise in construction. We believe that vigorous competition in a free and open marketplace provides the best product for both public and private owners. 

Our Government Affairs council considers policy issues affecting Merit Shop contractors, informs state legislators of ABC's stances on legislation and positively influences discriminatory bills aimed at hurting our industry.



Prevailing Wage Reform

  • Washington State has one of the most expansive prevailing wage laws in the country, thanks to our states Prevailing Wage Act.
  • Our prevailing wage rates are 54.6% higher than market wages.
  • ABC lobbies each session in Olympia for prevailing wage reform, challenging our state's broken system and advocating for reforms that will allow prevailing wages to reflect market wages.
  • Washington employers pay the highest workers' compensation rates in the nation, thanks to our state-run monopoly system.
  • Employers in Washington face a worker's compensation tax increase of 19% or more every year until 2022. 

Workers Compensation Reform

  • Washington employers pay the highest workers' compensation rates in the nation, thanks to our state-run monopoly system.
  • Employers in Washington face a worker's compensation tax increase of 19% or more every year until 2022. 
  • Voluntary settlement programs are a proven solution working in 44 states, and we believe legislators must take action now to provide relief for our businesses. 

Keeping Your Tax Rates Low

  • ABC allies and supports candidates who won't put big tax increases on the backs of your businesses, regardless of party affiliation. 
  • Because of our support and others from the business community, our state has seen drastic chances in the way our legislators manage the budget without relying on tax increases to fund 

Project Labor Agreements

  • In February 2009 President Obama passed Executive Order 13502 which encourages federal agencies to require PLA's on all federal construction projects costing more than $25 million.
  • Because of this anti-competition provision, PLA's restrict two-thirds of merit shop contractors from bidding and working on construction projects, resulting in a dramatically increased cost on all public construction.
  • To date, ABC National has led the fight against PLA's and has restricted the anti-free market mandates in 21 states and has encouraged 17 states to pass legislation which opposes this discriminatory practice.