The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced that construction spending during May 2016 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,143.3 billion, 0.8 percent (±1.3 percent) below the revised April estimate of $1,152.4 billion. The May figure is 2.8 percent (±1.6 percent) above the May 2015 estimate of $1,112.2 billion.
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Housing Starts; New Home Sales Drop in May
Nationwide housing starts were virtually unchanged in May, inching down 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.16 million, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. Overall permit issuance edged up 0.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.14 million.
Read MoreMSHA: Mines No Longer Under POV Scrutiny
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that – for the first time since reforms began in 2010 – none of the nation’s more than 13,000 mining operations meets the criteria for a Pattern of Violations (POV) notice.
Read MoreScreen Machine Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Screen Machine invited dealers, suppliers, local, state and federal officials, families of employees and other special guests to its 125,000-sq.-ft. facility in Etna, Ohio, to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. “Fifty years is a long time,” said President Steve Cohen. “Screen Machine Industries not only survived but prospered through many recessions and wars. A business must adjust to survive.” In testament…
Read MoreNSSGA Pushes Tax Reform
Before leaving town for a week-long recess, GOP members of the U.S. House of Representatives released a policy paper that advocated for lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent.
Read MoreTwo Killed at Sand and Gravel Operation
On June 3, a 24-year old haul-truck operator, with nine months of experience, and a 56-year old hydraulic-excavator operator, with six years of experience, were killed at Green Brothers Gravel Co. Inc.’s Harmony Mine & Mill in Mississippi.
Read MoreReview Commission Decision: Turn Over Employee Contact Information
In a split decision reported by Ellen Smith of Mine Safety and Health News, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission on May 17 found that MSHA has the right to request employee contact information to interview mine employees who may have knowledge about conditions in a mine where MSHA was conducting a 110(c) investigation, and where dangerous conditions…
Read MoreEnhanced MSHA Enforcement to Begin July 1
On July 1, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will begin enhanced enforcement of “Rules to Live By,” its initiative of standards commonly cited following mine deaths, as well as some standards for the coal industry.
Read MoreInterstate Highway System Turns 60
As the U.S. Interstate Highway System turns 60 years old this week, it faces increasing congestion, unprecedented levels of travel – particularly by large trucks – and insufficient funding to make needed repairs and improvements.
Read MoreLuck Companies Sells Retail Stone Centers
Luck Companies announced it has sold five Luck Stone Center retail locations and closed two more, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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