August 12, 2008

  AGC of Kansas News

 Volunteers Needed for 2008 KC3 Construction Learning Center
Only three weeks are left before the Kansas State Fair and KC3 needs your help! Volunteers are needed to fill over 150 slots for the 2008 KC3 Construction Learning Center which runs from Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 14. Shifts run from 10:00 am to 2:30 PM and from 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM. KC3 has estimated that 12 volunteers are needed per shift, per day. On Saturday, September 13, KC3 is the day sponsor for the Fair and has estimated that 25 volunteers per shift are needed.

This is a great opportunity to work with kids from across the state to promote construction careers through free, hands-on activities. Download the volunteer form and fax back to AGC at (785) 266-2561 once completed. As a reminder for volunteers, if you need a hotel room, KC3 has a limited number of rooms under the Eric Stafford/KC3 room block at the Hampton Inn in Hutchinson (hotel information included on volunteer registration form). The room block ends this Friday, so time’s running out.

With the support from 38 AGC and KCA member companies, KC3 was able to raise over $19,000 toward the 2008 KC3 Construction Learning Center. AGC would like to thank the following companies for their generous support:

APAC Shears Division
Beachner Construction
BRB Contractors
CAS Construction
Central Mechanical Manhattan
Central Mechanical Wichita
Conco Construction
Concrete Materials Company
Cornejo & Sons
Cornejo Materials
Crossland Construction
Dondlinger & Sons Const. Co., Inc.
Dustrol, Inc.
Ferrell Construction of Topeka
Frisbie Construction
Heft & Sons, LLC
IMA of Kansas
James Voegeli Construction
Kansas Building Systems
Klaver Construction Co.
Koss Construction Co.
LaForge & Budd Construction Co., Inc.
Lockton Companies
Martin K. Eby Construction
Midwest Concrete Materials
Monarch Cement
Murray & Sons Construction Co., Inc.
Sauerwein Construction
Sherwood Construction
Smoky Hill, LLC
Sporer Land Development, Inc.
Star Lumber
The Fagan Company
The Law Company
Thomas McGee
Topeka Chapter #142 NAWIC
UCI
Walters-Morgan Construction

 Follow Up to Anti-Business Efforts in Colorado

Several weeks ago, AGC of Kansas ran a story about some strong anti-business initiatives being pushed in Colorado. Below is a follow up piece from the AGC of Colorado newsletter.

 AGC/C Joins Effort to Defeat Anti-Business Ballot Measures

AGC/C has joined the fray to fight the anti-business measures proposed by organized labor for the November general election ballot.

AGC/C is lending its support to defeat the anti-business measures by joining the Coloradoans for Responsible Reform (CFRR). CFRR is a bipartisan coalition with previous success in fighting anti-business measures or passing economic development ballot issues. AGC has raised almost $100,000 so far from members who want to join the fight to defeat these initiatives. AGC America has also donated $25,000 to the campaign. Our goal for the construction industry is $500,000 between AGC/C and CCA members.

In retaliation to the Right to Work initiative (Amendment 47) being placed before the voters on the November ballot, an organized labor effort coordinated by the AFL-CIO and the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7 is seeking to place a series of anti-business measures on the ballot. These anti-business measures, if approved by the voters, will be ruinous to Colorado’s economy.

· Criminal and Civil Accountability for Business Executives – Amendment to Colorado statutes that will hold a business executive responsible for the business’s failure to perform a duty required by law if the official knew of the duty and the business’s failure to perform it, and will allow any individual to have a private right of action against a business or executive for failing to perform such duties.

· Eliminate Employment at Will – Amendment to the Colorado Constitution to allow an employee to be discharged or suspended only if an employer has first established just cause for the discharge or suspension.

· Health Care Coverage for Employees and Dependents – Amendment to the Colorado Constitution to require every private employer with 20 or more employees to provide health insurance for both employees and their dependents. The measure mandates that employers pay at least 80% of employee’s premiums and 70% of dependant’s premiums. Employers would have an option to pay insurance premiums to a state authority, which would contract with private companies for employee health insurance.

· Safe Workplace – Amendment to Colorado statutes requiring every private employer with 10 or more employees to provide a safe and healthy workplace. An injured employee can seek damages in addition to workers’ compensation benefits. An injured employee is entitled to a jury trial on all issues and to compensatory and punitive damages, including damages for past and future pecuniary losses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other pecuniary losses.

  

AGC of America News

 

ABA Forum on the Construction Industry
In cooperation with ConsensusDOCS, the American Bar Association (ABA) will host a Forum on the Construction Industry, focusing its entire Fall 2008 meeting on the ConsensusDOCS contracts and forms.  The Forum will be held September 11-12, 2008 in Chicago, IL.  This conference will provide an in-depth look at the ConsensusDOCS.  Panelists include industry experts including many AGC members and staff who helped draft these documents that are changing the face of construction contracts.  All AGC members interested in contracts, not just attorneys, are encouraged to attend this practical and hands-on conference. 

An AGC member rate is being extended, and first-time attendees to an ABA meeting receive an additional discount.  Registration is now open, and hotel space often goes quickly.    

Ford and BP Gas Discount Programs
As an extension of the Enterprise Fleet Management national program, last week AGC of America signed discount program deals with Ford.  Also we have signed an exclusive discount program with BP.  More information about the programs and website links will be established the week of August 18. The Ford program with AGC covers 2008 and 2009 Ford and Lincoln Mercury Model cars,  trucks and SUVs.  The BP fuel discount program will provide rebates on BP gas and diesel purchases, and a limited rebate on other gas brands purchased using the BP Mastercard.   AGC will notify the chapter executives when the programs are up and running.  [more ]

Urgent Request: Calling on 'Small-Business' Contractors to Counsel EPA on Stormwater Numeric Limits
EPA is writing a nationwide rule that will set the maximum allowable levels of pollutants that may be discharged from any construction site of one acre or more.  An “end-of-pipe” numeric limit on construction stormwater runoff and discharge monitoring requirements remain under serious consideration.  EPA has asked AGC to identify small construction representatives who can advise a panel of government lawmakers on their respective technical and financial abilities to meet a so-called effluent limitation guideline (ELG). AGC small-business contractors are needed to ensure the Agency takes a fair and balanced approach.  AGC Chapter Executive: Please forward this to your members and kindly request interested parties to reply to pilconisl@agc.org by Friday, August 15.  [more ]