Campaign finance reform needs work from both sides

Building code uniformity raises local control questions

Published: May 15, 2013
Tags: ABC, AIA, Amcon Design and Construction, American Institute of Architects, Art Dahlberg, building code, commercial building, commercial building code, DNS, international building code, John Mielke, Terry Moulton

Advocates of a uniform code for commercial buildings are developing a compromise they concede would remove much of the uniformity from their proposal.

Licensing may go under 1 roof

Published: May 10, 2013
Tags: Abe Degnan, AGC, Daniel LeMahieu, Department of Safety and Professional Services, John Mielke, licensing

The potential merger of the state’s main licensing agency and consumer protection department could fulfill remodeling contractor Abe Degnan’s wish to no longer serve two masters.

Doubling down on prevailing wages

Published: March 1, 2013
Tags: Davis-Bacon, John Mielke, prevailing wage

Wisconsin’s prevailing wage laws should be changed so projects covered by the federal Davis-Bacon Act also would not be subject to the state’s standards.

Subs wary of possible shift in project delivery

Published: February 20, 2013
Tags: ABC, AGC, Carmen Fosick, Elmstar Electric, Jeff Beiriger, Jim Boullion, John Mielke, multiple prime, project delivery, Scott Walker, single prime, Specialty Contractors of Wisconsin

Carmen Fosick says her electrical company often is among the multiple contractors that now contract directly with the state on its construction projects.

AGC urges more discussion on project-delivery reform

Published: February 19, 2013
Tags: ABC, AGC, Building Commission, Gordon Hintz, Jim Boullion, John Mielke, project delivery, single prime

A construction trade group is urging Gov. Scott Walker not to pursue project-delivery reform through the state budget without first soliciting opinions from the industry.

The lessons of leadership

Published: January 25, 2013
Tags: ABC, John Mielke, leadership

People began sending me advice about how to make the transition shortly after the announcement that I had been promoted to president of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin.

Construction industry split on presidential candidates

Published: October 11, 2012
Tags: ABC, AGC, Jim Boullion, John Mielke, Mitt Romney, Obama, Operating Engineers Local 139, Terry McGowan

The construction industry covers a broad swath of the economy, with hundreds of specialties in residential, commercial and building material supply.

Stone steps down as ABC of Wisconsin’s president

Published: September 17, 2012
Tags: ABC, Associated Builders and Contractors, John Mielke, Reesman's Excavating & Grading, Steve Stone

Steve Stone, who has led the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin since 1985, announced Monday he will step down at the end of the year. Vice President John Mielke will replace him.

The difficulties of compromise

Published: August 24, 2012
Tags: John Mielke

Most boardrooms, union halls and families include people who can be frustratingly opinionated. They engage in virtual policy debates for which no votes are counted, and the only result might be a change of opinion. To them, political issues are crystal clear.