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Recent Articles from Paige Spratt
Executive orders cannot eliminate USDOT’s DBE program | Opinion
The DBE program was enacted by Congress in 1983 and has been reauthorized and amended since 鈥� always by Congress. It was most recently reauthorized by that legislative body in 2021.
OP-ED: Contractors should prepare for more changes to Buy American Act
Proposed amendments would further increase the domestic component requirement, increase price preferences for 鈥渃ritical鈥� components, and implement reporting requirements.
OP-ED: Contractors ought to address material price increases head-on
As most people are undoubtedly aware, the construction industry has seen material prices escalate astronomically over the past few months. Some specialty lumber prices have soared upwards of 6,000 percent. The cost of a sheet of plywood is double what it was even six months ago.
OP-ED: Oregon OSHA rulemaking substantially increases penalties and more
These proposed permanent rules, which should become effective in the near future, should not be overlooked.
OP-ED: A state transportation agency’s big victory in legal battle
Verdicts like a recent jury award of $57.2 million should serve as a reminder to contractors, subcontractors and designers that litigation can be unpredictable and costly.
OP-ED: Washington’s strict compliance standard is now stricter
Less than two months ago, in Nova Contracting Inc. v. City of Olympia, the Washington (state) Supreme Court reaffirmed its long-held requirement that construction contractors must strictly comply with written […]
OP-ED: Washington state agency retracts waiver within four months
In June I wrote a column for the 91视频 about the decision by the Washington State Department of Transportation to exclude non-minority woman-owned businesses to meet Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) […]
OP-ED: Washington state agency taking advantage of federal waiver
As of June 1, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is excluding non-minority woman-owned businesses to meet Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) goals on federally funded contracts. In 2014, WSDOT […]
OP-ED: Bridging the construction workforce gap via training
Ask any contractor in the Portland-metro area: 鈥淲hat is the number one problem plaguing the construction industry?鈥� Answer: People. There are not enough people available to perform the work 鈥� […]
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
