News
AGC Efforts Defeat State False Claims Act
By Tymon Berger
Portions of the following article first appeared in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce on February 19 2010.
Thanks to the efforts of AGC of Washington for the second consecutive year the Washington legislature has decided against a state-based false claims statute.
The state...
Posted on 03/02/2010
New Lead Rules Subject of Safety Forum and Certification Class
In response to the large amount of interest in the previous article regarding the new EPA Rules on Lead in Renovation Repair or Painting the AGC Safety Department and AGC Education Foundation have developed important programs.
The Safety Department has scheduled Christopher Miele from AMEC Earth...
Posted on 03/02/2010
Four Design-Build Teams Receive Draft RFP for SR 99 Deep Bore Tunnel
WSDOT Press Release:
WSDOT took another significant step forward today by releasing a draft request for proposals to four contracting teams for the SR 99 bored tunnel design-build project. This is the teams’ first opportunity to review design and contract information as they prepare their propos...
Posted on 03/02/2010
CWU Students Get OSHA 10-Hour Training from AGC Volunteers
AGC’s Safety Coordinator Elizabeth McKay teaches safety to CWU students.
On March 26 AGC Staff and volunteers Don Robertson from Stoneway Concrete and Roger Hurst formerly with MSA traveled to Central Washington University to provide OSHA 10-Hour training for 75 students of CWU’s Safety& ...
Posted on 03/02/2010
Kime Selected for ASSE Board and as NAVFAC Panelist
AGC’s Safety Director Mandi Kime has been named Board Member at Large for the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. Kime will help lead the local chapter of the oldest safety society with more than 32000 occupational safety health and environmental professional members...
Posted on 03/02/2010
Request for Bids for New Southern District Office
AGC’s Southern District Office will soon be relocating to its new space in Fife Washington. AGC members are invited to bid on the improvements to the space. Click Request for Bids and Scope of Work for additional info.
Posted on 02/23/2010
Unemployment Insurance Expansion Bill Appears Dead
Some good news from Olympia: The bill to expand unemployment insurance benefits – and therefore taxes – appears dead. The measure would have expanded benefits to part-time workers reversed last year’s voluntary quit change extended the additional $45 weekly benefit amount through 2010 and enact...
Posted on 02/23/2010
AGC Opposes Revised Off-Site Prefab Bill
The off-site prefabrication legislation strongly opposed by AGC has been amended and generally made simpler but is still is unworkable.
The original version of HB 2805 said that for public works contracts over $1 million contractors and subs must submit a certified list to the awarding agency an...
Posted on 02/23/2010
Proposed Supplemental Budget Keeps Transportation Projects on Track
Yesterday the Senate Transportation Committee announced its 2010 Transportation Supplemental Budget. The steady-as-she-goes $8.6 billion budget preserves the capital construction project schedule as adopted during the 2009 legislative session. This includes the continued progression on mega‐proj...
Posted on 02/23/2010
Contact Your Legislator: Keep SR 520 Project Moving
Urge your state Representatives to support ESSB 6392 the SR 520 corridor legislation as it passed the Senate.
Legislation approved in 2007 limited the use of bond proceeds only to the construction of the floating bridge and necessary landings. ESSB 6392 allows revenues from bonds to be used for ...
Posted on 02/23/2010
Gov. Gregoire Submits Plan to Balance Budget, Raise Taxes
Last week Gov. Gregoire unveiled her plan to restore certain state expenditures and raise the revenue to pay for them. This spending plan would leave a nearly $3 billion deficit. She hopes to address the gap with cuts in other areas rainy day and federal funds and a list of new or increased taxes...
Posted on 02/23/2010
AGC Clarifies TI Language in Licensing Law
Legislation to update many aspects of Architecture licensing law includes a provision expanding requirements to use architects for projects from the current language of “4000 sq. ft. of construction” to any work in buildings of “4000 sq. ft. of building size.” AGC opposed this provision and succe...
Posted on 02/23/2010
FLF: Last Call for Silvertips vs. Thunderbirds Hockey Game
Friday March 12 - Everett Comcast Arena - 7 p.m. - $15 per person includes game ticket and after-game food at the Tailgater. Hurry and register today to reserve your seat. After the game we will head across the street for food and drinks - $1 beers and $2 wells. Come relax network with FLFers an...
Posted on 02/23/2010
Scott Fisher Named to Parker, Smith & Feek Board
Scott Fisher has been elected to Parker Smith & Feek’s Board of Directors. Fisher is a Principal of the firm and heads its Construction Practice Group. Fisher has been a member of AGC’s Board of Trustees and was named “Affiliate of the Year” at AGC’s recent Annual Convention.
Posted on 02/23/2010
Army Corps of Engineers Fort Lewis/NW Federal Opportunities Follow-up
The presentation attached provides you with a list of up-coming federal opportunities timelines and resources for you to search for projects. Thanks to the over 100 AGC members and staff who participated in last week’s seminar in Tacoma. AGC will be organizing events similar to this throughout ...
Posted on 02/16/2010
Plan to Expand UI Benefits Disastrous for Business: Contact Your Legislator
As previously reported the Legislature is considering costly benefit expansions in the unemployment insurance (UI) system that will raise UI taxes even higher than they are now.
Every Washington state employer experienced an increase in their UI taxes this year and many experienced increases exc...
Posted on 02/16/2010
Proposed \Shadow Gas Tax\: Budget Reduction or Environmental Protection?
Legislation that would triple the tax-on-toxics ostensibly to combat pollution in Puget Sound instead looks like a means to help balance the state budget.
These bills (HB 3181/SB 6851) would increase the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) tax passed by voter initiative in the 1980s and placed on ha...
Posted on 02/16/2010
AGC Welcomes New Members
The following firms have been approved for membership by AGC’s Board of Trustees: INCA Engineers Inc. A Tetra Tech Company (Civil and transportation engineering); Russell Investments (Pension fund consulting and investment management); Vestas American Wind Technology Inc. (OEM of wind turbine com...
Posted on 02/16/2010
Technology Excellence Award Added to Build Washington Line Up
AGCs prestigious Build Washington Awards have a tradition of recognizing the most innovative construction projects and successful safety records in the state. Each year Award winners are celebrated by their peers and receive widespread publicity for their accomplishments. Submit your entries in ...
Posted on 02/16/2010
AGC Member Finalist for CFO of the Year
Congratulations to Peter Hendrick CFO for AGC member Propel Insurance for being named a finalist for the Puget Sound Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Awards.
Posted on 02/16/2010
Learning and Networking Opportunities Abound with Future Leadership Forum
The Future Leadership Forum (FLF) AGC’s program for early- and mid-career construction professionals has scheduled a full slate of events throughout the year with more in the works. Upcoming events include Hockey Night in Everett as well as Labor Relations and Bonding seminars. Visit FLF’s webp...
Posted on 02/16/2010
Apply Now! Build Washington Awards Recognize Our Best
AGCs prestigious Build Washington Awards have a tradition of recognizing the most innovative construction projects and successful safety records in the state. Each year Award winners are celebrated by their peers and receive widespread publicity for their accomplishments. Submit your entries in t...
Posted on 02/09/2010
Legislation Could Increase Unemployment Insurance Taxes Yet Again
(Editor’s note: How much have your UI rates gone up? Legislators have asked AGC lobbyists for real-world impacts on both large and small companies. Please take a moment to share this info – the amount of recent increases plus any broader impact on your firm – to Christine Swanson 360-352-5000. Th...
Posted on 02/09/2010
Workers' Comp Reform Appears Dead; Legislature Offers More Study
Workers’ compensation reform legislation backed by AGC and a broad business coalition appears to be dead for this legislative session bottled up by Rep. Steve Conway in his House Commerce and Labor Committee. (For previous article on the reform bill click here.)
As discouraging as this is the “c...
Posted on 02/09/2010
No Delays for SR 520 Construction, Says AGC and Coalition
A recent suggestion by a few other Seattle officials to delay construction of a new SR 520 bridge in order to redesign it was met with an immediate push back by a coalition of public officials business (including AGC) and labor.
A group wants to change the design of the future Highway 520 bridge...