AB 2929….”The Apprenticeship Bill”…Vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger!!!!!!

AB 2929 was vetoed late Saturday afternoon by Governor Schwarzenegger. The Governor had until midnight Saturday to veto legislation passed during this legislative session.  About 4 PM on Saturday, AB2929 was listed on the Governor’s web site among a group of bills that were also vetoed at “the last minute.” 

AGC San Diego and AGC of California were the only organizations on record opposing this legislation.  AGC sponsors a large open shop apprenticeship program.  The AGC Chapters also have members throughout the state that participate in the union apprenticeship programs.   Many AGC members are trustees on the various union trusts in all areas of California. 

The bill was part of the California Building and Construction Trades Council’s (CBTC) 2006 legislative priorities, and CBTC was the prime force lobbying for the bill during the session.  CBTC is an umbrella organization of building trades unions representing unions from throughout California. According to a September 15 article in the San Diego Transcript, Bob Balgenorth, the President of CBTC said….  “The problem is you have a lot of substandard apprenticeship programs” and that was their reason for supporting the bill.  The Transcript also reported that on the CBTC website contains some rather unflattering comments about apprenticeship programs sponsored by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).  ABC officials responded that the Building Trades have always wanted to control the workforce and their criticism should be taken in light of that.   

ABC, however, decided to take a position neither for nor against the bill….i.e., a “neutral” position.   The Transcript article reported that ABC felt that a veto was not possible, and they had worked with the administration to refine the bill before it passed and these efforts had improved the bill.  Balgenorth from the Building Trades said there were only “minor changes.” 

AGC was then positioned as the lone opposition to AB2929.   We believed it contained a number of provisions that would hurt both open shop and union programs and few provisions that would help the programs.  AGC’s main concern was that the bill did little to clarify the criteria for expansion of programs.  There is a huge demand for craft workers in California, and the bill seemed to restrict rather than encourage apprenticeship opportunities.   

The bill also seemed to establish a system of punishments for under-achieving programs.  AGC agrees that the “quality bar” needs to be raised for many programs, but we did not agree with the proposed methodology to define under achieving programs.  We also thought the bill lacked vision concerning making under achieving programs better programs. 

We would like to thank AGC members Doug Barnhart, douglas e. barnhart, inc., and Allen Bogh, Bogh Construction in Beaumont.  As the retired chair of the AGCSD Apprenticeship and Training Trust, Doug was able to use this background to explain to Administration officials AGC’s position concerning AB 2929.  Allen Bogh and his son, Assembly member Russ Bogh from the 65^th Assembly District (Beaumont) were able to work with the Republican Caucus in Sacramento to gain their written support of a veto.  Allen is also a Trustee of AGCSD Apprenticeship and Training Trust.   

Also, the hundreds of e-mails sent to the Governor by AGC members and the readers of MMQB opposing the legislation were absolutely vital in securing a veto.  We are confident that this “grassroots” opposition was a key in convincing the Governor that AB2929 was not good legislation. 

Finally, AGC has pledged to work with Assembly Member John Laird (the bill’s author), DAS, the Administration, and the various stakeholders to craft legislation next year that will achieve the objective of improving and expanding apprenticeship opportunities throughout California.     
 

There is Still Time to Register to Vote / AGC Voter Guide Available Next Week 

With just five weeks until the November 7^th Election, we wanted to give you some dates to remember: 

October 9    - First day absentee ballots will be available.
October 23  - Last Day to Register to Vote
October 31  - Last Day to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
November 7 - Election Day  

Information regarding registration and voting can be obtained by going to San Diego County’s Registrar of Voters website at www.sdvote.com or by calling 858-565-5800. 

An AGC “Voter Guide” with specific recommendations on various ballot measures will be sent out next week. 
 

Mary Peters Confirmed as DOT Secretary  

Before adjourning to return home for election campaigning, the Senate approved President Bush's choice of Mary E. Peters to serve as the next Secretary of Transportation.  Peters served as chief of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) from 2001 to 2005 and prior to that spent 16 years with the Arizona Department of Transportation, serving three of those years as the Director.  AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr applauded the Senate action saying, "We are fortunate to have Mary Peters in this leadership role in transportation at a time when we face such significant challenges.  Our infrastructure is aging, congestion is growing, and freight movement is increasing – all at a time when revenue to meet these needs is shrinking."   

One of the key roles Peters will play in her new position is as the Chair of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, which is charged with making recommendations on the future of national transportation policy.  These recommendations are likely to be the foundation for the next transportation bill which must be enacted by the end of FY 2009.  AGC will aid the efforts of the Commission by co-hosting field hearings around the country in the next few months to examine the issues related to future transportation needs and funding options, and by presenting testimony.   AGC has also offered to provide critical technical staff support on these key issues.  

Peters has worked closely with AGC both during her time with the Arizona DOT and while at FHWA.  She has addressed AGC's convention on two occasions and participated in numerous other AGC meetings.  Following meetings between AGC and the US DOT Office of Inspector General, Peters established work groups within FHWA to work with AGC to address a number of issues of concern to the industry.  Several of those groups continue to meet.  

Peters will replace Norman Mineta who resigned as Transportation Secretary in July.  "AGC looks forward to continuing its close working relationship with Secretary Peters as we strive for new ways to solve the nation's transportation challenges," added Sandherr.
 

AGC Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA)

The AGC Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) program sponsored by Willis has been an ongoing and evolving effort by the AGC of America to recognize companies who have developed and implemented excellent safety and loss prevention programs achieved through management commitment, employee training and program innovation.

The purpose of the CSEA is to recognize those construction companies who excel at safety performance. CSEA will closely examine each candidate's commitment to safety and occupational health management and risk control. Unlike the National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program that limits the criteria to frequency rates, the CSEA selection process is considerably more comprehensive. Judges will look for evidence of company management commitment, active employee participation, safety training, work site hazard identification and control, and safety program innovation. 

Participants will be required to complete the application forms and submit them to their local AGC Chapter. The AGC Chapters will select finalists in each category (if applicable) and submit those recommendations to AGC of America. Members of the AGC Safety & Health Committee will review the Chapter's submittals at the winter meeting. Then the finalists in each category will compete at the AGC National Convention for either a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place award. Finalists will have an opportunity to give an oral presentation in front of five judges. The first, second and third place awards will be determined after oral presentations. The winners will be announced at the Willis Safety Awards Breakfast during the AGC Annual Convention. 
Click here for the CSEA application.

SDSU Construction Industry Outreach Day

SDSU’s Student Chapter of the AGC/CMAA is having their 1st ever SDSU Construction Industry Outreach Day.  You can interact with students in the Construction Engineering and Management Programs, and provide more insight on your company, and find out if internships or jobs are available. The event is scheduled for Wed. Nov 15th. 
Click here for the flyer.
 

AGC San Diego Board Schedules Open House for November 8th

The “new” AGC San Diego Headquarters and Training Center are nearly complete. The facility is fantastic…..those members who have attended meetings or classes in the facility are unanimous in their praise of the facility.  There is no question that the renovations to the building will allow AGC to serve the industry for years to come…..the building is now an educator’s dream.  We will be able to expand and improve our classes not only for apprenticeship training but for the training of all members. 

Beginning at 5 pm on Wednesday, November 8^th, the AGC Board of Directors will hold an “open house” for the membership to tour the facility and see first hand how the building will serve you and your employees.  The “open house” will be sponsored by Cement Cutting and ABD Insurance Services. 

Please mark your calendars…..5 pm Wednesday, November 8^th.
 

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

iSqFt Tip of the Week:
As part of the iSqFt network, the Internet Plan Room seamlessly shares information with the Private Construction Office the general contractors use to manage the preconstruction and bidding portion of their privately bid work. 

Obscure Factoid:
Lighting strikes about 6,000 times per minute on this planet

 

 OCTOBER  CLASSES
October 3 – Microsoft EXCEL – Level 1- 8:00 AM
October 5 – Supervisory Training – Session 5 – 7:30 AM
October 5 – Project Management Course- Class #3 – 3:00 PM
October 10 and 11 – CQM
October 19 – Project Management Course – Class #4 – 3:00 PM
October 25 – CPR/First Aid- 8:00 AM

 

OCTOBER MEETINGS – All meetings will be held at AGC unless indicated otherwise
October 2- Port of SD Liaison Committee Meeting – 11:30 AM @ PORT
October 4 – Safety Committee Meeting – 7:00 AM
October 9 – SD County Water Authority 11:30 AM @ WATER AUTHORITY
October 10 – HR Committee Meeting – 11:00 AM
October 18 – AGC Toastmasters @ Roel – 7:00 AM
October 19 – Specialty Contractors Council @ Adam’s Steakhouse – 7:00 AM
October 19 – Meetings & Events Committee – 12:00 PM
October 20 – Caltrans Liaison Committee – 8:00 AM
October 25 – County of San Diego Liaison Committee – 1:00 PM (subject to change)
October 27 – Builders’ Exchange – 7:00 AM

 

Save The Dates:
October 11-14^th – Joint Fall Conference with AGC of California in Palm Springs – details on website
November 8 – AGC OPEN HOUSE – starting at 5:00 PM – 6212 Ferris Square
December 2 – Holiday Dinner Dance at Hotel Del Coronado
December 13 – AGC Annual Meeting – Mission Bay Hilton
January 23, 2007 – Installation Dinner – Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
(Installation of Officers & Directors, AGC Membership Awards, Safety Awards, & Apprentice Graduations)

Keep us informed: Please notify us if there is ever a change of address, phone/fax, or change of contact person so we can update our records. Thank you!