Just because the General Assembly is out of session doesn't mean that DCA’s Government Relations work goes on the back burner. The “off-season” is a time when we are doing a lot of work on the development of regulations. It’s also a time for us to partner with agencies to examine their processes with an eye toward opportunities for enhancements. Following the first half of a General Assembly session, we meet with legislators on bills and ordinances impacting the construction industry that they have introduced but have not yet passed.

On the regulatory front, DCA convened a meeting of our union contractor members and the Delaware Department of Labor last week to discuss the unique challenges union contractors signatory to collective bargaining agreements face with respect to Delaware’s implementation of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. I’ve written a number of times about the productive meetings DCA has been able to have with the Director of the Paid Leave office and the DOL Deputy Secretary and this was a continuation of that effort. Credit to DOL for both taking the issues seriously and being open to potential solutions. This is an ongoing process, but it wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for the standing DCA has with our public policy officials.

DCA is also working collaboratively with the Office of Management and Budget as it seeks to identify best practices and tools to improve the state’s bidding process. With the passage of HB 1 and HB 2 which legalizes the adult use of recreational cannabis, it’s a good time for us to partner with public policy makers to take a fresh look at the state’s drug testing policies for public works projects. On the subject of cannabis legalization, if you haven’t already signed up for our August 10 Ask the Experts on what you need to know as an employer regarding legalization, you are going to want to contact Jamie Chambers to take advantage of an expert labor attorney and an expert human resource consultant’s guidance.

There’s always lots to do on the Government Relations front and with the expertise DCA’s diverse members bring to the effort, we are playing an important role in creating a healthy construction economy, helping the state utilize its limited resources in the most efficient way and saving taxpayer money.