American Subcontractors Association of Wisconsin

Better, Faster, Stronger: What Arizona's New Law Means for Payments to Subcontractors

On May 11, 2010, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed S.B. 1375, a law that will strengthen the payment rights of construction subcontractors throughout the state. "Every subcontractor should be aware of the new law's provisions, ensure that contracts reflect them, and know how to exercise their rights," says podcast presenter Richard Usher, Hill & Usher LLC, Phoenix.

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:12:34 +0000

ASA-FASA Podcast: Traps To Avoid When a Customer Files Bankruptcy

In this podcast for construction subcontractors, attorney Bill Norton of Bradley, Arant, Boult, Cummings in Nashville, Tenn., discusses: steps to take early on in a project that could help if the prime later files for bankruptcy; some of the typical events that follow a bankruptcy filing; and tips for preserving claims and getting a maximum financial recovery.

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:30:59 +0000

ASA's Ten Survival Tips for Subcontractors in Lean Times

Learn the value of cost-cutting, preserving lien rights, double-checking bids, holding current market share, and more.

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:56:45 +0000

ASA's Marketing and Selling in a Down Economy

In 20 minutes, construction subcontractors can learn how to re-vamp their marketing and sales strategies, and close new sales.

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:25:31 +0000

Legislative Reports

Our bill (Senate Bill 589 - http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB-589.pdf) failed to pass this session, but a lot of progress was made. Creating a subcontractor coalition was a major accomplishment and now our attention is turned to maintaining it and looking for ways to increase our membership base - both through association and individual memberships and contributions.

While it took longer than we'd hoped to draft the legislation, what emerged was a strong statement of subcontractor needs related to the transfer of risk. That bill was introduced and passed by a Senate Committee on a 4-1 bipartisan vote.

We are already cultivating both Democratic and Republican representatives as potential authors/sponsors in the coming session and looking for a quick introduction in the next session.

Throughout this process, we have been opposed by the home builders, by the road builders, and by the general contractors. That should come as no surprise, and their opposition supports our case for a legislative change. We cannot negotiate terms and the present market conditions are only making things worse. This is not a time to give up this fight, this is a time to fight harder. We look forward to a day when all of us can celebrate a legislative victory on risk transfer.

In the meantime, it's important to note that the coalition was useful in defeating legislation that would have hurt subcontractors who bid on state projects and that it was responsible for helping to prevent a bill from passing that affected subcontractor lien rights on residential projects. We have become a resource and we have become a force, and even as we work on risk transfer in the next session, we believe we will serve subcontractors well on any number of other issues - from bonding on public sector projects, to the use of independent contractors, to lien rights and lien waivers, to the state building program.

We make a difference and we will continue to make a difference - if we keep working and we keep working together.