When it started, 2020 looked to be off to as good a start as any year in recent memory.

Tagged with: Building Advantage coronavirus Couture International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 Jeff Beiriger Michael Vickerman Nathan Jurowski RENEW Wisconsin Terry Hayden Terry McGowan Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services released a report Wednesday touting progress it has made in addressing a backlog of plan reviews that left contractors waiting months for the agency to sign off on construction projects.

Tagged with: ABC Dawn Crim DSPS Jeff Beiriger

Even as COVID-19 has led to school closings, event cancellations and other social-distancing measures, Wisconsin's construction industry has largely made no plans to stop work – at least fornow.

Tagged with: coronavirus DSPS International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 159 International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 Jeff Beiriger Local 139 Plumbing Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Wisconsin Association Terry McGowan Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Wisconsin Department of Transportation WisDOT

A bill meant to reduce a backlog of commercial-plan reviews drew a mixed response from construction officials at a public hearing in the state Capitol on Wednesday.

Tagged with: Commercial Building Code Council Dawn Crim Jeff Beiriger plan reviews Plumbers Code Advisory Council Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Lawmakers are advancing so-called sunrise review bills that would require newly proposed occupational certifications to first undergo an audit before being instituted.

Tagged with: certifications Chris Kapenga Jeff Beiriger Jonathan Brostoff Legislative Audit Bureau licensing

Cosmetologists-in-training and crane operators haven't got much in common. Nor should they have to overcome similar sorts of state-imposed licensing hurdles, says a recently completed audit of Wisconsin's occupational-licensing system.

Tagged with: Department of Safety and Professional Services Jeff Beiriger licensing Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Wisconsin Association

Lawmakers are planning a public hearing next week for a bill that would prevent apprentices coming into the trades from having to be supervised by more than one journeyman while going through training. Separately, the same legislation would eliminate statutory requirements ...

Tagged with: apprenticeships Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin Inc. Jeff Beiriger

With the wait time for plumbing-plan reviews now sometimes exceeding a month, state officials are letting contractors go ahead and start their work even without first getting an official sign-off.

Tagged with: Brian Flannery DSPS Jeff Beiriger plumbers

State lawmakers voted unanimously Thursday to retain the state’s exam requirements for apprentices in four trades.

Tagged with: Jeff Beiriger licensing

Architects, engineers and contractors would most likely have to wait a little longer to get their plans reviewed under Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2017-19 budget.

Tagged with: budget DSPS Jeff Beiriger Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Wisconsin Association Scott Walker Uniform Dwelling Code Council Wisconsin Builders Association