On April 29, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed (89-2) the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (S.914). The act authorizes more than $35 billion for the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) grant programs and revolving loan funds for water and wastewater infrastructure targeting upgrading aging systems, climate change resiliency, implementing new technologies and aiding marginalized communities. Action now moves to the House of Representatives, where AGC will continue to press for robust investment in water infrastructure.
AGC will continue to advocate for robust water infrastructure investment in U.S. House of Representatives and press for enactment of legislation.
On April 30, AGC and its coalition partners met with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to raise concerns about and question the need for a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) 14 months into the pandemic. AGC highlighted the conflicting messages delivered by the administration. On the one hand, the administration continues to highlight the significant decline in case rates, hospitalizations and great progress towards ending the pandemic through vaccination efforts. On the other hand, OSHA remains determined to issue an ETS to address what it calls grave dangers posed to workers, despite construction remaining an OSHA-identified low exposure industry. AGC and its partners also stressed the importance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and OSHA aligning their respective protocols if an ETS is to be issued. Confusion remains among employers and employees alike due to conflicts between the April 27 CDC guidance and OSHA’s January 29 guidance. The CDC guidance allows for different protocols for the vaccinated versus unvaccinated. The OSHA guidance provides that the vaccinated and unvaccinated should be treated the same and follow established mask and social distancing requirements.
Now more than ever, as the state begins to slowly re-open for business, it is imperative that we all adhere to the safety protocols that have been put in place. It is equally important that each of you continue spreading that message up and down the supply chain. As has been stated many times, COVID-19 is global, but personal. Each of us need to do our part to KEEP SAFETY VIRAL. For more information, visit our COVID-19 resource page.
Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), and the Texas Military Department (TMD) today announced the launch of the State Mobile Vaccination Team Call Center. Beginning May 7, 2021 at 8 a.m. CT, Texas businesses or civic organizations can call 844-90-TEXAS and select Option 3 to schedule a visit from a state mobile vaccine team to vaccinate employees, visitors or members. To qualify for a visit, a business or civic organization must have 10 or more employees, visitors or members who voluntarily choose to be vaccinated. Homebound Texans are also encouraged to call the hotline and select Option 1 to request a state mobile vaccination team to visit their home.
"Vaccines are the most effective tool in Texas' fight against COVID-19, and we are committed to making COVID-19 vaccines even more widely available to Texans across the state," said Governor Abbott. "The State Vaccine Call Center will help connect businesses and civic organizations with these life-saving shots and ensure that more Texans have an opportunity to get vaccinated. I urge organizations and businesses to call 844-90-TEXAS and schedule a visit from a state mobile vaccine team. Here in Texas, COVID-19 vaccines will always be strongly encouraged and always voluntary."