Hammersley Stone - AGC of Wisconsin

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Capitol Report • APRIL 2008 Building Commission Waivers— When the State of Wisconsin adopted the 2007-08 Budget Bill last fall, they earmarked over $1 billion for new (non-highway) construction projects. The majority of these projects involve the University of Wisconsin (UW) system. This spring the UW put together their plans for these construction projects and presented them to the State Building Commission for approval. Twelve of the projects included requests for waivers from a State law that requires the use of multi-prime contractors for large projects. Instead, they proposed using alternative delivery methods, primarily single-prime bidding, rather than the standard multi-prime bidding procedure. The UW analysis justifying these requests argued that using alternative delivery systems instead of the standard multi-prime delivery method would save time, reduce coordination issues and centralize the control for the projects with single-prime contractors. Several contractor groups contacted the Building Commission members to express their concerns with this change in process. After much deliberation, the Building Commission reduced the number of projects that could use alternative delivery methods to only two. They also directed the Division of State Facilities, who administers all State construction projects, to take a closer look at the current delivery system and waiver process and bring them a recommendation for a better process by this fall. AGC of Wisconsin will be working closely with the DSF, Commission members and other contractor groups to develop a better process where alternative delivery methods can be more readily utilized while still pro- Jim Boullion (right) and AGC Legal Council David Bohl greet Congressman Tom Petri during his visit to the AGC of Wisconsin office. tecting the integrity of the process. The DSF hopes to have an industrysupported proposal developed and adopted early in 2009. Invasive Species Rule— The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is developing a rule to require special washing and care of construction equipment in and near “waters of the state” to prevent the spread of invasive plant and animal species to uncontaminated areas. AGC is part of a coalition of groups that has been meeting with the DNR to insure the rules are workable. The DNR has been receptive to our concerns with the initial rule draft and has been working closely with the group. A draft rule could be available later this summer. DNR Diesel Workgroup— The DNR is also hosting a series of workgroup meetings to explore ways reduce diesel emissions from construction equipment. A particular focus of this group is to identify ways to access federal grant money that is available for this purpose. As with the invasive species rule, this group will be meeting this spring and summer to develop recommendations. Hiring Illegal Aliens— Finally, one of the hottest topics among legislators as they leave for the summer campaign trail is what to do about the problem of illegal aliens in Wisconsin. This last session, both Senate Democrats and Assembly Republicans introduced their own versions of legislation that would provide stiff penalties for employers who hire illegal aliens. Penalties for contractors included debarment for up to seven years from any State or local government construction work and a $10,000 penalty for each illegal they hire. Despite objections from AGC of Wisconsin and other business groups, the Wisconsin State Senate passed Senate Bill 404 on a vote of 20 in favor (15 Dem and 5 GOP) to 13 against (10 GOP and 3 Dem). The bill went to the State Assembly, where similar legislation (AB 712) was waiting. Recognizing that these bills still had too many unresolved issues, the leadership of the Assembly adjourned the 2007-2008 legislative floor session without taking up 2 AGC of Wisconsin / Building Wisconsin’s Future either bill, effectively killing them for this year. The problem of illegal aliens living and working in Wisconsin is a politically charged issue. Current federal regulations have been ineffective in reducing the number of illegal aliens coming into Wisconsin and both Democrats and Republicans are looking for a local solution. Expect immigration reform to be a major campaign issue for both parties this summer and fall, with new Elections 2008 legislative proposals coming next January when the legislature begins its 2009-2010 session. AGC will be advocating for a system of laws and penalties that provide employers with a reliable process that will give legitimate contractors a “safe harbor“ in which they can operate without fear of being unfairly penalized for mistakes or falsified documents. As we discussed at the beginning of this report, the state legislature is currently divided, with Democrats controlling the State Senate 18 to 15 and Republicans holding control in the State Assembly 52-47. Both houses will be hotly contested and every seat will be important. Will the political tide that swept the Senate Democrats into power in the fall of 2006, allow them to take control of the State Assembly? Or, will the GOP hold on and maintain that balance between the two state parties? AGC will be actively involved in key campaigns all over the State to help elect pro-construction candidates. We urge all members to actively support AGC’s efforts by contributing to candidates through the AGCPAC or the AGC Conduit. AGCPAC, AGC Conduit, and SIR Council Fund Raising for 2008 Because of its critical importance to the overall political effectiveness of AGC of Wisconsin, the Board of Directors has approved a multifaceted program to raise money for the AGCPAC and AGC Conduit. The Board also passed a resolution asking that all member firms pledge to raise contributions based on the number of salaried employees they have. The goals established by the Board are: 1. AGC’s General Contractor members pledge contributions based on the number of their salaried staff as follows: • 9 or less employees – $500 • 10–19 employees – $1,000 • 20–29 employees – $2,000 • 30 or more employees – $3,000 2. AGC’s Specialty Contractor members pledge contributions based on the number of their salaried staff as follows: • 9 or less employees – $200 • 10–19 employees – $500 • 20–29 employees – $1,000 • 30 or more employees – $2,000 3. All active associate members pledge contributions of $100. To help members achieve these goals, AGC plans to raise funds through direct mail and telephone contacts. We will also hold an auction at the AGC Summer Meeting on July 23–24 in Lake Geneva. Finally, we are planning to raise money for the SIR Council during two regional membership meetings that will include Sporting Clays shotgun events. Mark your calendars and start practicing now for these two events: • Wednesday, June 18th , Milford Hills Hunt Club, Johnson Creek • Wednesday, August 20th, Hunters Park, Brillion For more information about any of the topics in this report contact Jim Boullion, Director of Government Affairs at (608) 221-3821 or jboullion@agcwi.org
Priority Legislative Issues: 2007–2008 Session Updated March 25, 2008 Bill # and Title Key Sponsors Description AGC Position Status/Outlook Career Academy Grants Create a $250,000 grant program in the Support Approved by SB 40–Budget Bill Budget Bill for the support and expansion legislature and Rep. Kerkman / Rep. Vos of Construction Career Academies. signed by Governor! State Capital Budget The legislature approved $1.18 billion Support Approved by SB 40–Budget Bill of the $1.3 billion Capitol Budget legislature and Gov. Doyle recommended by the State Building signed by Commission. Governor! Electrical Licensing License all contractors and electricians Support Approved by SB 167 statewide. AGC concern w/utility worker legislature and Rep. Ott / Sen. Decker exemption has been addressed with signed by amendment. Governor! Metal Theft Creates documentation requirements for Support Approved by SB 473 metal scrap dealers to reduce theft legislature and Sen. Plale / of metals. signed by Rep. Montgomery Governor! Elevator Licensing Exempt construction hoists and residential Support Administrative AB 358 stairway lifts that were included in last Rules change Rep. Kleefisch / Sen. Plale year’s elevator contractor licensing bill. has corrected the problems. Illegal Immigrants Contractors who hire illegal aliens would Oppose Passed State SB 404 / AB 712 be ineligible for government construction Senate 20–13 Sen. Breske / Rep. Lasee contracts for seven years and subject to Failed to pass a $10,000 fine for each illegal alien the in Assembly. company hires. Heat/Frost Insl. & License all Contractors and Mechanics who Oppose Passed State Fire-stop Licensing install Heat and Frost Insulation, fire-stop Senate 26–7. SB 194 licensing removed after objections. Failed to pass Rep. Newcomer / Sen. Coggs in Assembly. Contractor Registration Require all contractors to register with the Monitor Passed State SB 228 / AB 466 State. Introduced by Carpenters union to Senate 28–4. Sen. Wirch / Rep. Kaufert prevent abuse of “independent contractor” Failed to pass status of workers. in Assembly. Uniform Commercial Make the Commercial Building Code Support Passed Building Code uniform Statewide without local code Assembly Labor SB 266 / AB 521 amendments. Fire Chiefs & AFL-CIO Committee, Sen. Plale / Rep. Moulton opposing. Failed to pass this session. Definition of Employee Would provide Workers Comp protection Support Dropped from for Workers Comp. from lawsuits for prime contractors if WC package. WC Advisory Council the employee of a subcontractor is injured. Failed to pass this session. Visit the Wisconsin Legislature Home Page for a complete list of legislation, legislative calendars, legislators, administrative rules and lobbying organizations at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/ or the AGC Legislative Action website. Capitol Report • APRIL 2008 AGC’s Director of Government Affairs accepts a pen used by Governor Doyle to sign the Metal’s Theft bill. State Representative Cory Mason (D–Racine) met with AGC member Curt Hastings (right) of J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. to discuss LEED standards for State buildings. AGCPAC and AGC Conduit How do they work? AGCPAC • The AGCWI Political Action Committee (PAC) collects personal contributions from AGC members and distributes those funds to political candidates who support the construction industry and the legislative priority issues identified by the AGC Legislative Committee. • AGCWI PAC welcomes member input and recommendations as to which candidates to support, but the ultimate decisions on which candidates will get our money are made by a group of AGC members who volunteer to coordinate the PAC. If you are interested in being a member of the AGCWI PAC Committee please let us know! • The AGCWI PAC allows you to help elect pro-AGC and pro-construction industry candidates, but the AGC experts do all of the work! We identify the candidates, prioritize where your AGC of Wisconsin / Building Wisconsin’s Future 3
Page 1: A Publication of the Associated Gen
Page 4: Jerry Klobucar 2008 AGC of Wisconsi
Page 7 and 8: Bob Barker AGC of Wisconsin Executi
Page 9 and 10: MARK YOUR CALENDAR June 18 AGC Spor
Page 11 and 12: highway work,” says Keith. “He
Page 13 and 14: Oregon Industrial Park — Oregon,
Page 15 and 16: Costco — Middleton, WI sewers), a
Page 18 and 19: MEMBER PROFILE Melli, Walker, Pease
Page 22 and 23: Capitol Report • APRIL 2008 money
Page 24 and 25: Tom Godar Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek,
Page 26 and 27: Adam Jensen Virchow Krause & Compan
Page 28 and 29: John Carpenter Clifton Gunderson LL
Page 30 and 31: it rains for five straight days? Wh
Page 32 and 33: A red flag specific to the construc
Page 34 and 35: Has your company identified your ne
Page 36 and 37: MEMBERSHIP General Contractors Affi
Page 38: Professional Directory / Buyer’s

Hammersley Stone - AGC of Wisconsin

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?