AGC Holiday Dinner Dance

Just over 400 AGC members and their guests attended the annual AGC San Diego Holiday Dinner Dance Saturday in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Del Coronado.  The event was sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services and Moss Adams, LLP.  Larry McMahon from Alliant and Mark McMahon from Moss Adams, LLP greeted the attendees and thanked the Holiday Dinner Dance Chairperson Candace Friedman, her committee, and AGC Director of Meetings and Events Rae Krushensky for planning and organizing the event. 

The entertainment included America’s Classic Rock Band….Rockola….and a special appearance by AGC Board of Director’s Member Mike Carcioppolo from Hawthorne Machinery Co.  Mike is the owner of Platinum Productions, which provides DJ entertainment for all sorts of events. Mike’s more “current” selections of music pleased that segment of the attendees that do not really believe that the music industry stopped making good music after 1970!!!  Mike was also able to somehow convince AGC President Tom Anderson, AGC Past President Ted Rossin, Mark Finch, Johnson Barnes and Finch, David Dean, New Equipment Sales Hawthorne Machinery Co., and AGC Executive Vice President Jim Ryan to entertain the crowd with a special performance of the Village People’s “YMCA”.  Ted Rossin indicated on Sunday morning…”It seemed like a good idea at the time!”  A video recording of the dance confirmed that rhythm is not a talent any of these individuals picked up during their formative years!!!

We again would like to thank the sponsors….Alliant Insurance Services and Moss Adams, LLP…without their generous support the event would not be as special as it was.

Also, thanks to everyone who donated an unwrapped toy… 500+ toys will be delivered today to Children’s Hospital, which will brighten up many children’s Christmas this holiday season.

Mark your calendars…next year’s AGC Holiday Dinner Dance is scheduled for Saturday, December 6^th   2008 at the Hotel Del Coronado.  

 

Tough Times Ahead – No Easy Choices
By Dave Ackerman, AGC’ Legislative Advocate

If you can believe the State Legislature’s top budget advisor, California is in for some rough times ahead.

Pulling no punches, Elizabeth Hill, the State Legislative Analyst, gave the Legislature and the Governor the bad news just as the Governor began to assemble his 2008-2009 State Budget that will be submitted to the Legislature on January 10.  She told our political leaders the state will end this fiscal year with a $1.9 billion deficit and add another $8 billion shortfall for 2008-2009, putting the state in the hole almost $10 billion a year and a half from now.

And that’s not all.  She further predicts that a $3 billion deficit will continue year after year until 2013. Spending is expected to increase at a 7% clip no matter what the Legislature or Governor does, due to automatic cost of living increases built into many state programs and the residual effects of one-time budget solutions adopted in previous years.

The bottom line according to the Legislative Analyst…in order to balance the budget next year – the Governor and Legislature will have to come up with $10 billion of “budget solutions” – that’s a nice way of saying budget cuts, tax increases, a combination of both; or a few budget gimmicks that haven’t been tried yet.  None of these options are going to be attractive in an election year.

The Democrats do not want to impose cuts on popular programs coveted by their constituents. Republicans are loath to consider voting for anything that even resembles a tax increase. Democrats say we simply aren’t generating enough revenue, and Republicans say we have been overspending for years. The era of “post-partisanship” touted by the Governor earlier this year, if it exists at all, will be severely tested.

It is hard to see how “post-partisanship” can survive in a year in which California will face three statewide elections, including a presidential primary and decisions by the voters concerning term limits.  

Speaking of term limits……… the Legislature faces the “vote of their life” on February 5^.  Proposition 93 asks the voters to make two changes to the long standing term limit law.

First, it sets term limits at 12 years, which can all be served in one house of the Legislature. Currently, legislators are limited to 14 years, eight of which can be served in the Senate and six that can be served in the Assembly.

Second, Prop. 93 would allow existing legislators who have not served 12 years already, to continue to serve out the full 12 years in the legislative seats they now occupy.  Most notably, this provision would allow the current Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Nunez six additional years rather than be termed out in 2008, and it would grant Senate Leader Don Perata, also scheduled to be termed out in 2008, one additional term in the Senate.  Presumably these legislators would also be able to hold on to their leadership positions for several more years.

The reason the term limit measure is on the February ballot is twofold: First, California’s Presidential Primary was moved from June to February so California could play a larger role in selecting the presidential candidates.  Secondly, if Prop. 93 passes, current legislators can run for re-election in their existing seats in the June primary.  Without moving the presidential primary to February, the Governor would have had to call a special election (which would have been costly) for the sole purpose of voting on term limit changes.  The fear was that this possibility would not have set well with the voters.

But wait – the plot gets better from here.  Remember, when you get right down to it – everything is political or influenced by politics.

Enter Republican Steve Poizner. If you don’t know who Steve Poizner is now – you will in a few months.  He was elected Insurance Commissioner last November, spending millions of his own money to get the job.  Many of you probably voted for him.

Poizner has decided he wants to lead the campaign against the term limit initiative, and he wrote a personal check for $1.5 million to do it.  There is probably more money where that came from. You will see Poizner on TV commercials and hear him on talk radio.  All this publicity will position him to run for Governor – since Schwarzenegger is termed out in 2010 regardless what happens to Prop. 93.

The Legislature holds about a 30% approval rating with the public at this point, so bashing the Legislature can work to Poizner’s benefit with little negative effect.  To counteract this attack, the Legislature must look professional and productive, and give the voters a reason to keep them in office. Failure to deliver on a healthcare program or a water bond and failure to work with the popular Governor could prove fatal.

Governor Schwarzenegger has not yet taken a position on the term limit measure.  Previously, he has said he would consider support of modifications to term limits only if it were accompanied by reform of redistricting to prevent legislators from re-drawing their own political district boundaries.  The Legislature failed to deliver the Governor any redistricting reform, so time will tell what Schwarzenegger will do.

Assuming the Democrats in the Legislature will assail the Governor if he proposes deep cuts to any of their pet programs when the 2008-09 budget is sent to the Legislature in January, the Governor may think long and hard about endorsing a measure that would keep hostile legislators in office past the end of his governorship.

Enter Steve Poizner!

 

AGC’s Government Relations Committee to Review February 5 Ballot Measures

AGC’s Government Relations Committee will meet on Thursday, December 6 at 10 AM at AGC to review and possibly take positions on 12 state and local ballot measures.  Once again, there are a few that are related to infrastructure investment, particularly construction bond measures for the Poway Unified School District, Cajon Valley Union School District, and the Rancho Santa Fe School District (total of the three bonds: $369.5 million). 

Term limits, transportation and community college funding, and Indian Gaming compacts also will be considered by California voters.  The City of Coronado will ask voters to consider a measure (Prop. A) that would require voter approval prior to the construction or expansion of facilities on the beach.  Another measure will allow the construction of the Lifeguard Public Safety Service Building at Coronado Beach if Prop. A passes.

Committee members will be given a legislative report via conference call from Dave Ackerman, AGC;s Legislative Advocate.  Dave will review the 2007 legislative session and go over some of the bills that were signed into law or vetoed by the Governor. He will give us a preview of the 2008 government affairs and legislative program.  By the sound of Dave’s article above, it sounds like it is going to be an interesting year!

All AGC members are invited to attend the Government Relations Committee meeting on Thursday.  If you would like to join us, please contact Brad Barnum at bbarnum@agcsd.org.

 

No Change Recommended for Workers' Comp Insurance Rates

Last week, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recommended no change to the “pure premium advisory rates” for workers’ comp insurance beginning January 1, 2008.  Pure premium rates, which are set twice per year, reflect expected losses and loss adjustment expenses on a statewide basis for each industry classification, such as carpentry or roofing. 

Pure premium rates are not binding, but provide a benchmark for rates set by insurance companies.  The state’s largest insurer, State Compensation Insurance Fund (“State Fund”), announced earlier this week that its rates would remain at the same level.   

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), which analyzes the system and recommends pure premium rate adjustments to the Commissioner, had previously recommended a 5.2% increase due to increased costs for administering claims, and recent legislation (AB 338) increasing costs for temporary disability benefits.  According to the WCIRB, “pure premium rates for individual classifications will change (some higher and some lower) based on the approval of new classification relativities.”

The Commissioner’s announcement comes after eight consecutive pure premium rate reductions since 2003.  According to the Department of Insurance, insurer rates have decreased by 55% during that time, as a result of recent legislative reforms.

 

It’s Ski Season - AGC Winter Conference - Save the Date- February 7-10, 2008

AGC 2008 Winter Conference

In 2002, the AGC held its first Winter Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe Resort.  After 4 years on the North Shore, your Meetings & Events committee has decided it was time for a change. 

Break away from the routine, and join us this year at The Canyons Resort, Silverado Lodge, in Park City, Utah!  Silverado, a luxurious retreat, masterfully designed for the most discriminating of tastes.  This Park City gem offers timeless elegance and quality amenities in a premium location near The Canyons Resort Village.

The Canyons is located on the world’s most breathtaking stage – Utah’s Wasatch Range and offers 3,700 ski-able acres spread over 8 mountains with 5 bowls, 6 natural half-pipes, 2 terrain parks and 152 trails.  Perhaps the best part about The Canyons is that it’s just 35 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport. 

Join us for this fun, networking opportunity.  There is a deadline to register. Click here for registration form and fax to Rae at (858) 558-8444.  You can also contact Rae with any questions at (858) 731-8157 or e-mail at raek@agcsd.org.

 

AGC Annual Meeting- December 13, 2007

Mark your Calendars.  All AGC members are invited to attend the December 13^th, 2007 Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Hilton San Diego Resort on Mission Bay, 1775 East Mission Bay Drive beginning at 11:00 am. 

A lunch will be served, followed by the election of new Board members and the Executive Vice President’s Annual Report to the membership, which will detail AGC activities and finances. Click here for registration.

For more information and cost, contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8157.

 

Construction Project Management Course- Starts January 17^th- Sign up Now!
"The Certificate Course"

It is that time again… a new Project Management course is starting up January 17, 2008 and will run through December 2008. This is our sixth PM Class, and we are still getting "HUGE KUDOS" on the instruction, curriculum and presentation.  Class is limited to 30 participants.  Click here for flyer  / Click here to register.  For more information, contact Glen Schaffer at 858-731-8151. or e-mail gschaffer@agcsd.org.

 

Please note: 
***** Please register on line for classes ******
Go to our website at www.agcsd.org and click onto Calendar for either
Construction Education Classes or Safety Training.

“AGC Education & Training….Building a Solid Foundation”  

Safety Classes
DECEMBER
OSHA 10 Hour – Dec 3 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
Fall Protection – Dec 11 Click here for flyer/  Click to register 

Construction Education Training Classes 

DECEMBER
WEBCM- Dec. 3
Effective Business Writing – 3 sessions – Dec. 4, 11, 18 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
Blue Print – Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 18
HR Mini Conference – Dec 6 Click here for flyer
PowerPoint II – Dec 11 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
EM385- Dec 13 Click here for flyer/ Click to register
SWPPP- Dec 14 Click here for flyer/ Click to register 

 

All committee meetings are held at AGC unless indicated otherwise 

DECEMBER
Dec. 5 – Safety Committee Meeting – 7 AM
Dec. 5 – City of San Diego Liaison Meeting – 1 PM
Dec. 6 – Government Relations Meeting – 10 AM
Dec. 11 – Education Training Meeting – 12 PM
Dec. 12 – Specialty Contractors Council Meeting – 11 AM

AGC Toastmasters- Every other Wednesday- 7 AM at the Roel Training Center. Click here
For more information, please contact the President of Toastmasters for AGC, Mandy Parent at mparent@4datanet.com

 

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
December 13- Annual Meeting- Hilton Mission Bay 

2008 AGC Events
January 29- Installation Dinner- La Jolla Hyatt
February 7-10- Winter Conference- The Canyons Resort- Utah
Spring Conference in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – April 17-20, 2008 –click here for brochure