LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's Executive Order 05-09 promotes and preserves fair competition, according to a statement from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) 2005 National Chairman Gary Roden. He said the order advances the economic, non-discriminatory, and efficient administration and completion of state-funded construction projects while maintaining neutrality toward the union or non-union status of contractors.

"Gov. Huckabee's leadership on this issue will benefit the taxpayers who fund state projects, as well as the contractors and workers who build our communities," said Roden. "Maintaining competition is critical to ensuring that taxpayers receive value for their tax dollars."

This executive order ensures that Arkansas' partially or fully funded construction projects will continue to be managed in the spirit of free-market competition, Roden said.

ABC is a national association representing 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 79 chapters across the United States.

For more information, go to www.abc.org.

Publication date: 11/21/2005