Governor Schwarzenegger’s Re-election…..Why the San Diego Construction Industry Needs to “Step up to the Plate.”

By Jim Ryan AGCSD Executive Vice President

During the past week, AGC’s PAC has initiated its 2006 fundraising drive. The goal that has been established is $250,000. The first week was a success…..$25,000 was raised.  PAC Fundraising Chair Tom Anderson, Bergelectric, has set the end of July as the date to conclude this effort. Why has the AGC PAC Committee and the AGC Board of Directors determined that this fundraising is so critical in 2006?

Well the industry’s obligation to support initiatives and bond issues that properly fund public infrastructure investment is certainly part of the reason.  

June 6- Infrastructure Bond Measures

Prop F - $596 million for Tri-City Healthcare District

Prop G - $247 million for Grossmont Healthcare District

Prop H - $44.5 million for Rancho Santa Fe School District

Prop 81 - $600 million for Statewide Library System

 

Nov. 7 – State Infrastructure Bond Measures

$19.9 billion for Transportation

$10.4 billion for K-12/ Higher Education

$4.09 billion for Levee Repair

$1.75 billion for Housing

Plus – Prop 42 Fix which will protect over $1 billion a year for transportation projects

 

Nov. 7 – Potential Infrastructure Bond Measures

$800 million for Palomar College

$800 million for San Diego Community College District

$500 million for Sweetwater Union High School District

$144 million for Carlsbad Unified School District

$60 million for Escondido Union High School District

$10 billion Statewide High Speed Rail Bond

But equally as important to the San Diego and California construction industry, is the re-election of the Governor. The Governor’s race will be in a very close election this fall.  By Wednesday morning, either Phil Angelides or Steve Westly will be the Democratic nominee to face the Governor in the general election on November 7th.  Both candidates are polling even with the Governor…..and that is after a particularly bitter primary in which both candidates have done just about everything imaginable to discredit the other.

Let’s look at what is at stake for our industry if the Governor does not win this fall.

The Governor understands that California needs to be more business friendly.  Take a few minutes….right now…….to review your 2003 and 2004 premiums for your firm’s Workers Comp insurance and compare them to this year.  I am confident that I will not need to make this point with any other issue.  Our Worker’s Comp system was out of control after former Governor, Gray Davis was forced to “liberalize” the system to pacify the same constituency that is supporting Angelides and Westly….do you really think either of these candidates will not reverse the changes in the system that Schwarzenegger made? 

The Governor “gets it” concerning infrastructure investment.  The Governor’s Infrastructure Program will be considered by voters on November 7th.  As soon as the Governor was able to turn the State’s finances around, he directed his attention to rebuilding the state.  He understands that one of the major responsibilities of public entities in our system is to provide a proper infrastructure….something that the last few administrations simply did not understand. I suspect his opponents will be reviewing increasing the public employee pension benefits….and financing these benefits with funds that should be dedicated to infrastructure investment.

If the Governor does not win, California will again have the Executive Branch, the State Senate, and Assembly under control of one party….the Democrats. (Reapportionment in 2000 virtually guarantees that the Democrats will control the Senate and the Assembly).  Those of us that have lobbied for years and have a bit more of an “insider perspective” understand that our system of government works best when one party is not in control of the Legislature and the Executive Branch.  The Governor has used the veto or the threat of the veto to significantly reduce the bizarre legislation that was made into law during the Davis Administration. When one party is in total control…..Democrat or Republican…..there is a strong tendency to push too far in one direction or the other and the result is bad government.  Do you think that Governor Angelides or Governor Westly is going to veto or threaten to veto legislation proposed by the public employee’s unions?

AGC’s PAC Committee will be contacting all AGC members during the next 6 to 7 weeks…..my suggestion…..take some of those savings in your Workers Comp premiums and reinvest them…..if we don’t “step up to the plate”, Governor Angelides or Governor Westly will figure out how to spend those savings for you!!!!!

AGC of America Praises U.S. Senate for Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) last week applauded the U.S. Senate for passage of a comprehensive immigration reform bill which addresses the nation’s border and economic security.  AGC has long advocated for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform which includes strengthening border security, providing a new guest worker program, and a viable way to address the undocumented.

“The Senate did the right thing in passing comprehensive immigration reform that realistically addresses the challenges of border security while acknowledging the necessity of finding workers to fill American jobs,” said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr.

The construction industry is expected to require an average of nearly 200,000 net new workers per year over the next decade.  However, the industry is faced with the reality that foreign-born workers are necessary to help fill jobs for construction services and products that Americans demand.

AGC has advocated for legislation to provide for an effective new guest worker program which would allow U.S. construction companies to recruit immigrant workers when U.S. workers are not available to fill their needs.

AGC also supports a path to earned legalization that would include paying fines, learning English, staying employed, paying taxes and completing criminal background checks before applying for a potential green card.

AGC encourages the House and Senate to work together to develop a truly comprehensive immigration bill.  AGC opposed the House bill passed in December because it was not comprehensive and it was overly burdensome on employers.

AGC San Diego Sets Policy Position on Immigration Reform

With immigration reform in the political forefront and very important to the construction industry, AGC’s Board of Directors added the following positions to AGC San Diego’s 2006 Legislative and Policy Positions at its May 11^th meeting:

 ·         Reform should be comprehensive: addressing both future economic needs for future workers and  

       undocumented workers already in the United States.

·         Reform should strengthen national security by providing for the screening of foreign workers, creating a disincentive for illegal immigration, and provisions to protect our border.

·         Reform should strengthen the rule of law by establishing clear, sensible immigration laws that are efficiently and vigorously enforced.

·         Reform should create an immigration system that functions efficiently for employers, workers, and government agencies.

·         Reform should create a program that allows hard working, tax paying undocumented workers to earn legal status.

·         Reform should ensure that U.S. workers are not displaced by foreign workers.

·         Reform should ensure that all legal workers enjoy the same labor law protections.

Please click on http://www.agcsd.org/political/legpositions.htm to view the entire list of legislative and policy positions.

$109 million in bonds for Downtown Redevelopment Projects / $2 billion of CIP Projects Still “on Hold”

Mayor Jerry Sanders has announced that the City’s Redevelopment Agency will sell $109 million in tax allocation bonds this week specifically to pay for projects in Downtown San Diego.   The bonds will allow the Centre City Development Corporation to initiate work on a variety of critical infrastructure and community enhancement projects:

Low and Moderate Income Housing:  Approximately $30 million

Community Parks and Fire Stations:  $35 million - $45 million

Downtown Main Library $10 million:  $30 million

“C” Street Design and Improvements:  $1.5 million - $2 million

Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge:  $2 million - $6 million

Street Light Improvements:  $3 million - $9 million

North Embarcadero Project:  $2 million - $13 million

Park to Bay Trolley Station:  $2 million - $5 million

Park Improvements:  $800,000

Traffic Signals:  $500,000 - $700,000

Gaslamp Sidewalk Improvements:  $500,000 - $700,000

Intersection Improvements:  $400,000 - $1 million

New Street Lights:  $1 million - $1.5 million

Storm Drains:  $400,000 - $600,000

Other Sidewalk Improvements:  $900,000 - $1.2 million

Quiet Zone Improvements:  $1 million - $1.5 million

 

Although the Redevelopment Agency was able to access the public credit market (the Redevelopment Agency is considered a separate legal entity; the bonds are not backed by the City’s General Fund nor is there any other City’s obligation to repay the bonds; the bonds are backed by insurance and will not count against the City’s outstanding debt), the City of San Diego does not plan to re-access the public credit markets until the end of the year, following the conclusion of several investigations and the release of audits from past years. Access to public capital will be vital to the City’s needs to make long-awaited improvements to its roads, water and wastewater systems, among other critical infrastructure.  There currently is a $2 billion backlog of projects.

It's Time to Make a Difference - Please Vote  Tomorrow!   Polls Open at 7 AM and Close at 8 PM.

AGC Recommendations

Candidates

Arnold Schwarzenegger      Governor of California

Ron Roberts                         Board of Supervisors District 4, County of San Diego

Kevin Faulconer                   Council District 2, City of San Diego

Propositions

Prop.  81       $600 million State Library Bond

Prop. B         Prohibits write-in candidates in County General Elections

Prop. F         $596 million bond for Tri-City Healthcare District

Prop. G         $247 million bond for Grossmont Healthcare District

If you do not know where your polling place is please access the San Diego County Registrar of Voters’ website at www.sdvote.com.  You can also vote by going to the Registrar of Voters at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, San Diego, 92123.   Please call 858-565-5800 for additional information. 

2006 Legislative Day on June 14

 

If you want to see "political action" first hand, please consider attending AGC's Annual Legislative Day in Sacramento on June 14.

 Every year, nearly 100 members from AGC San Diego and AGC-California trek to Sacramento to talk "construction" issues with legislators.  This one-day visit to the State Capitol provides an up close view of the legislative process and allows an opportunity for members to hear from legislative leaders, the Governor's Administration, and other political insiders.

We have received some good reviews from our "first timers" on this trip, and we have a number of AGC Board members who attend every year.  That is a good indication this trip to Sacramento is a good one!

 We encourage you to participate in our Legislative Day on June 14.  For those of you who would like to arrive the night before, we are hoping to have a reception and/or dinner with some legislators.  For more information, contact Brad Barnum at (858) 558-7444, ext. 16 or email: bbarnum@agcsd.org.

AGC Members Invited to SDSU Reception Honoring Jack and Jane Filanc

San Diego State University and the California State University System announced recently that the SDSU Construction Engineering and Management Program has been named the JR Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program.  This recognition is in honor of the $3,000,000 donation to the Program that was made this past December buy Jack and Jane Filanc.

 The AGC Membership has been invited to attend a program and reception celebrating the naming of the Program which will accept its first students in August.  The event will be held Friday, June 16^th on the SDSU Campus from 1:30-3:00 pm.  Those registering will be notified concerning parking and the location on campus.

We encourage AGC members to attend and join SDSU in honoring Jack and Jane Filanc for this gift that is so important to the San Diego Construction industry.

Upcoming AGC Human Resource Seminars:   

AGC San Diego Chapter Presents:

Human Resource Practices Committee presents Education Seminars – June 16th

The San Diego AGC Human Resource Practices Committee is presenting 3 continuing education seminars for Human Resource personnel. 

These 3 hours seminars are a must-attend for anyone who deals with human resource issues, including HR professionals, office managers, and supervisors. 

Topics to be covered include:  Employee Recruitment, New Employment & Labor Laws for 2006, Exempt vs. Non-Exempt, Over-Time Laws, Retaining Good Employees, Performance Evaluations and Proper Terminations.

See the special registration price for attending all three classes. The first seminar is on June 16. Contact Rae Krushensky at 858-558-7444, ext. 11 or raek@agcsd.org with any questions.

_________________________________________________________________________________________ 

AGC of America Presents:

 2006 Human Resource Professionals Networking Forum - San Diego, CA on June 8 & 9, 2006

AGC of America proudly presents this special opportunity for Human Resources staff to share questions, concerns, ideas and best practices on the HR issues that contractors across the country face daily.

This program is intended to provide networking and professional development opportunity to HR professionals. The program will include a series of break-out sessions and presentations; some of these tentative topics include:

· Disaster Preparedness – Experts will give advice on how you, as an HR professional, can help your company be prepared.

· Construction HR: The Basics – Attendees who are new to HR and/or the construction industry will have an opportunity to ask a panel of seasoned counterparts about all the issues they’ve wanted to know but have been afraid to ask!

· Construction HR: Advanced Issues – A roundtable discussion for experienced and upper-level HR professionals to discuss items of particular importance to them.

· Consumer Driven Health Plans – This session will explore the various models, such as HSAs and HRAs, to help you determine whether they are right for your company.

· Helping Spanish-Speaking Workers Develop English Language Skills Through Sed de Saber – This session will introduce you to an innovative and easy new tool for teaching workplace-focused English skills to Spanish-speaking employees.

· And more…

 Human Resource professionals of all levels working for construction contractors are invited to attend. This event is limited to AGC members only. Additionally, because space is limited, registration is limited to two people per company.

For more information or to register, go to www.agc.org/hrforum06 and complete the online form. Or you can call Amy Southworth at AGC of America at (703) 837-5401.

 “iSqft Randy’s” Tip of the Week and Obscure factoid

iSqFt Tip of the Week:

Project Tracking Folder allows you to store the projects you are working on in this folder and will remain there individually listed for easy access.  Furthermore, it will remain there until you remove it.

Obscure Factoid: 

Wedding cake was originally thrown at the bride and groom, instead of eaten by them!

 

Please note: All AGC classes will be held at National University located at 9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123-1426 (North of Aero Drive and Ruffin Road) while the AGC building is being renovated.

 ***** You can now register on line for classes (this does not include payment on line option).

Go to our website at www.agcsd.org and click onto Calendar for either Construction Education Classes or Safety Training).

 

JUNE CLASSES

June 6- 7 – CQM (Contractors Quality Management) – 7:30 AM

June 14 – Trenching & Excavating – 7 AM

June 15 – Basic Prolog Manager  CANCELLED

June 22 – WEB CM

June 28 – CPR/First Aid – 8AM

June 27 – Construction Project Engineering – 7:00 AM

June 29 – Supervisory Training Program

 

Please note: If you will be attending any of these committee meetings at the AGC office, remember we are under construction, so please use the entrance at the back of the building. 

JUNE MEETINGS

June 5 – SD Port Liaison @ Port – 11:30 AM

June 9 – Safety Committee – 7:00 AM at Roel    (please note location)

June 14  –  AGC Toastmasters at Roel’s Training Center – 7:00 AM

June 15 – Specialty Contractors Council – 7 AM at Adam’s Steakhouse

June 19  - SD County Water Authority Liaison Committee – 11:30 AM

June 27 – Airport Authority Liaison @ Airport

June 28 – County of San Diego Liaison Committee – 1 PM

June 28 –  AGC Toastmasters at Roel’s Training Center – 7:00 AM

 

 

June 27- AGC Baseball Bash- Padres vs. Oakland A’s  - SOLD OUT!!

 

SAVE THE DATE:

July 21 – Day at the Races

August 7 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills Country Club

September 23– Aztec Football Tailgate and SkyShow