The ABC Texas Gulf Coast Government Affairs Team is steadfast in its mission to advocate for our members, workforce, apprentices, and the merit shop philosophy across all levels of local and state government. From legislative sessions and public hearings to press events and grassroots campaigns, we are a strong voice for the construction industry.
We work to educate our community on critical legislation, election candidates, and voting matters that impact the merit-based construction industry. Our grassroots efforts—letter writing, phone campaigns, and legislative visits—help shape policies that support your business. We also raise political funds to back pro-construction candidates and initiatives.
At the same time, our chapter keeps a watchful eye on actions from special interest groups and government agencies that affect our industry—locally, statewide, and nationally. Our goal? To defend your right to run your business without unnecessary interference and to uphold the principles of free enterprise.
Your involvement is powerful. Every letter you write, phone call you make, or meeting you schedule with your representative adds momentum to our advocacy. Lawmakers do listen—and your perspective, grounded in real-world experience, can influence decisions that shape our industry’s future.
Sharing your story makes the issues personal. How does legislation affect your projects, your employees, your community? When you speak up, you help legislators see beyond policies to the people impacted. Use the ABC Action App to quickly and effectively make your voice heard at the highest levels.
ABC issues updates and alerts on merit shop priorities in Congress and the current administration, local government, the courts and the regulatory agencies. Get the ABC Action app to stay on top of advocacy initiatives and receive a call to action when critical legislation needs member support.
ABC Texas Gulf Coast members understand the burden that overregulation places on construction professionals. We work together with community allies and industry partners to help local decision-makers see the real impact of their policies on businesses and workers alike.
We advocate for:
Increased funding for state apprenticeship programs
Fair policies that respect and include merit shop workers
Legislation that empowers local governments to reject Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
Our agenda is rooted in strengthening ABC’s influence and protecting the future of merit shop construction. We promote common-sense legislation and regulatory reform that fosters growth, competition, and opportunity.
A Project Labor Agreement is a type of contract that often blocks non-union contractors and workers from bidding on and working in public construction projects—even when they’re fully qualified. This limits opportunity and raises serious concerns about fairness and discrimination.
PLAs inflate construction costs—by an estimated 10–30%—by restricting competition. With fewer bidders, prices go up and quality can suffer.
PLAs exclude many of the skilled workers in our state: non-union tradespeople, veterans, and apprentices in state-recognized but non-union programs. These individuals are denied job access and vital on-the-job training, creating ripple effects for families and communities.
With most construction workers operating outside union systems, PLA mandates often force local governments to overlook their own workforce. This not only wastes taxpayer dollars but also limits contractor choice and worker freedoms around benefits, pensions, and union membership.
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 Chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.
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