News
Stay Competitive with AGC's New Green Program
It is no secret that the issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important on both company and industry wide levels. To help its members take advantage of new sustainability-related opportunities AGC in partnership with the AGC Education Foundation announce an innovative member-benefit ...
Posted on 02/28/2012
Progress for $2 Billion Infrastructure Package
The infrastructure package supported by AGC took significant steps toward passage last week. Three related bills (SHB 2168 SHB 2792 SHB 2793) were passed out of the House Capital Budget Committee on Friday.
(To read a Seattle Times guest opinion piece about the proposal co-authored by AGC Pres...
Posted on 02/28/2012
Where Are We With Transportation Funding?
With legislative leaders saying that 2012 is definitely not -- for economic and political reasons -- the year for a big transportation package a handful of bills are keeping major projects on track and laying the groundwork for additional revenues in the future. Some highlights:
Supplemental Tr...
Posted on 02/28/2012
AGC Protests Sound Transit's PLA Extension
Over the strong objections of AGC the Sound Transit Board voted last week to continue using a controversial PLA for billions of dollars in upcoming light rail projects. The PLA was used on Sound Transits first major phase of capital projects called Sound Move. The board voted to extend the agree...
Posted on 02/28/2012
A Tribute to “Built to Last†Companies
We celebrated these AGC members that have been in operation for more thana century! Depressions recessions World Wars...these exceptional fi rms have thrivedthrough it all and exemplify what it means to be “Built to Last.” At the annual conventiondinner we made a special tribute to these pioneeri...
Posted on 02/28/2012
Please Support the Prevailing Wage Reforms in SSB 6421 and SSB 6480!
Substitute Senate Bill 6421 would specifically authorize contractors to file affidavits of wages paid on behalf of other contractors that are either out of business or simply refuse to cooperate. Of course this will speed up release of retainage and closeout of projects.
Substitute Senate Bill ...
Posted on 02/10/2012
Oppose House Bill 2412
Oppose House Bill 2412 which will impose major new civil and criminal penalties in WISHA cases.
AGC and its members work hard to help protect workers’ in the construction industry. House Bill 2412 does nothing to promote safety. If adopted House Bill 2412 would impose new civil and criminal pena...
Posted on 02/10/2012
Bill Removes Retainage Inequity
By Tymon Berger
Kicking off AGC’s Lobby Day efforts last week I joined Northwest Cascade’s Doug Watt and AGC’s Van Collins to address the Senate Committee on Labor Commerce & Consumer Protection regarding Senate Bill 6421. SB 6421 provides contractors a much needed tool for complying with pr...
Posted on 02/07/2012
Certified Payroll Bill Dies but Issue Will Persist
The Senate Labor Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee recently heard SB 6416 which would mandate certified payrolls on all public works projects. AGC Legislative Counsel Van Collins testified in opposition to the proposal. (See TVW video clip below to view Collins testimony.)
While cert...
Posted on 02/07/2012
President's Message: New AGC-McGraw Hill Dodge Partnership
by Steve Isenhart Tiger Construction AGC President
I am excited to announce an enhanced partnership between AGC of Washington and McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge that offers more value for AGC members.
AGC is always working to help you achieve your business goals. Next to your family your busin...
Posted on 02/06/2012
PCL Construction Adds Top Executive
The Pacific Northwest region of PCL Construction Services Inc. announced the appointment of Wayne Melnyk as Seattle District Vice President and District Manager.
A PCL Corporate Executive Mr. Melnyk has enjoyed a 37 year career with PCL Construction working with clients including Anschutz Entert...
Posted on 02/06/2012
L&I Seeks Comment on Structured Settlement Rules
From an L&I press release:
The Department of Labor & Industries is holding four hearings to take public comments on rules pertaining to structured settlement agreements for workers’ compensation claims.
In 2011 the Legislature passed several key workers’ compensation reforms. Engrossed...
Posted on 02/06/2012
Are WSDOT Contracts Fair and Equitable for All?
From a WSDOT press release:
Vendors contactors industry representatives and others who have experience with transportation-related contracts are invited to participate in a new disparity study that will help determine whether Washington State Department of Transportation’s contracting activities...
Posted on 02/06/2012
Prevailing Wage Safe Harbor Bill Progresses
AGC is supporting legislation SB 6480 that would provide a safe harbor to contractors that have obtained an actual determination from Labor & Industries. This bill would prevent an employee or others on their behalf from filing a wage claim against a contractor for the three years of back wa...
Posted on 02/06/2012
Transportation Package Gets Heard; Changes Likely
Governor Gregoires $3.6 billion transportation proposal got its first hearings in the Senate and House transportation committees last week and it is already likely that the plan will be altered significantly.
As reported in last weeks AGC Works AGC believes the proposal as a good start but well...
Posted on 01/30/2012
AGC of America Files FOIA Request Regarding Bangor PLA
AGC of America has strongly protested the Navys use of a project labor agreement (PLA) for the building of the $450-550 million second explosives handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
Both AGC of America and AGC of Washington have expressed concerns about the PLA in a variety of ways. Bel...
Posted on 01/30/2012
Tom Balbo Named to State Building Code Council
Tom Balbo former AGC of Washington President and retired Vice President of Ferguson Construction was appointed to the State Building Code Council by Governor Gregoire. Balbo will represent the Commercial and Industrial General Contractors on the Council.
As a former President of AGC of Washingt...
Posted on 01/30/2012
AGC Elects New Officers and Board Members
At its Jan. 27 annual meeting AGC of Washington elected its 2012 slate of officers and board members. The officers are:
Steve Isenhart | President
Steve Isenhart is Co-owner Estimator and Project Manager for Tiger Construction. Steve started the building division for Tiger in 1985. He holds a...
Posted on 01/30/2012
AGC Honors Gary Smith, Thom Sicklesteel and Annie Lombroia
AGC of Washington honored Gary Smith President of Lease Crutcher Lewis as Contractor of the Year; Thom Sicklesteel President of Sicklesteel Cranes Inc. as Subcontractor of the Year; and Annie Lombroia Chief Results Officer for Ashbaugh Beal as Affiliate of the Year. The awards were presented dur...
Posted on 01/30/2012
Prevailing Wage Bills Aim to Release Retention, Protect Contractors
Two prevailing wage-related bills supported by AGC received legislative hearings this week.
Senate Bill 6421 would permit general contractors or upper tier subcontractors to file affidavits of wages paid on behalf of subcontractors who were no longer available or unwilling to file an affidavit o...
Posted on 01/30/2012
Crisis Looms as Transportation Funding Plummets in 2013
With state transportation funding set to fall off a cliff the Legislature is considering Governor Gregoires proposal to raise $3.6 billion for highway maintenance.
AGC appreciates the $3.6 billion proposal as a good start but believes it falls well short of the funding needed to address the stat...
Posted on 01/23/2012
Lydig Announces New Management Structure
Lydig Construction announced that Larry Swartz previously President has stepped into the company’s CEO position and will continue as Chairman of the Board. Gus Gottschalk has been promoted to President of Lydig’s Western Region Group overseeing all operations out of Lydig’s Bellevue office and K...
Posted on 01/23/2012
Contractor Survey: Private Market Expected to Expand in 2012
Significantly fewer construction firms are planning to make layoffs in 2012 than at any point in the past few years according to survey results released today by AGC of America and Computer Guidance Corporation. The survey conducted as part of the 2012 Construction Industry Hiring and Business O...
Posted on 01/23/2012
Birch Turns 40, Achieves Federal DBE Certification
AGC member Birch Equipment headquartered in Bellingham kicked off its 40th Anniversary year by announcing it has received Federal DBE Certification under the US Department of Transportation’s DBE program.
According to records maintained by Washington State’s Office of Minority and Women’s Busine...
Posted on 01/23/2012
AGC Opposes Covered Loads, Sick Leave Legislation
AGC is providing testimony in opposition to these bills during legislative hearings this week. Click the bill number to review the full bill:
Covered loads -- HB 2455
HB 2455 Introduced by Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-32 Lake Forest Park) this bill would require that all loads of dirt sand rock or gravel...