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Education/Training
October 20: Texas Lien Laws October 20: Advanced Lien Law October 26: Employment Practices HR Roundtable Safety
 October 9-12: OSHA 510: Occupational Safety & Health Standards for Construction
October 10-12: OSHA 2264: Permit-Required Confined Space Entry October 10-13: ATP 191: Safety and Health Authorized Trainer October 16-19: OSHA 501 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry October 18-Nov.15: OSHA 30-Hour Course October 23-26: OSHA 500: Trainer Course in OSHA Standards For Construction October 27: AGC Houston Safety Committee AGC News
The AGC Houston Guide to the OSHA Silica Standard is now complete and available to download.
Thanks to the AGC Houston Silica Task force members who spent more than a year to find answers to the hard questions that aren't specifically addressed in the silica standard for construction.
At the request of AGC of America, the AGC Houston Guide to the OSHA Silica Standard is being used as a model for AGC members throughout the country!
On October 3, 2017, Sean Stewart, CEO of the Nevada Contractors Association, sent a note to all of the AGC chapter executives regarding the calls and emails he has received since the horrific attack October 1 at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas.
Dear Friends,
We are deeply saddened by the horrific event that took place in our beloved city. No words can truly express the feelings of shock and utter grief many have experienced. Tragically, several of our contractor members and friends were directly impacted. Our heart goes out to them during this time of healing. Unfortunately, answers do not come easily as our community heals. Please know we are here if anyone is in need of assistance.
Our staff feels fortunate and we appreciate those who have reached out in concern. On behalf of the Nevada Contractors Association, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends.
We would like to thank our law enforcement agencies, first responders, and those who rose without question to the needs of others affected by this horrific event. Through this tragedy our strong, giving and caring community has come together in ways never imagined.
For those who would still like to help, a GoFundMe account has been opened to benefit the victims and their families. We encourage all who can to join us in donating to this cause. You can access the account here
Thank you in advance for your generosity during these difficult times, and God bless our wonderful city.
Nevada Contractors Association Most major construction spending categories increased from July to August, but activity was mixed compared to spending levels a year earlier, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that big drops in public investments mean infrastructure will continue to deteriorate and impede economic growth.
On September 29, 2017, Stephen E. Sandherr, the CEO of AGC of America, released the following statement in reaction to the Unified Framework released today by congressional leaders and the Trump administration:
"The tax reform framework is a step in the right direction. At 30.3 percent, the construction industry faces the highest effective tax rate of any industry in America, said Sandherr. "The overwhelming majority of construction firms are pass-through businesses, meaning the owners pay taxes at the individual rates, not the corporate rate. Hurricane Harvey Related News
Have your employees been impacted by Harvey?
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, AGC of America has set up a call for funds through its AGC Charities, Inc., which will be dispersed to employees of AGC member companies who were directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
AGC Houston encourages all members of the commercial construction industry to aid with disaster relief by donating to AGC Charities, Inc. To apply for financial relief, please visit http://agccharities.org/assistance-programs/ for more details.
Please encourage members of your workforce to apply for financial relief. Completed forms must be sent to HarveyRelief@agchouston.org.
The Comptroller’s office has compiled information for taxpayers affected by the storm, including details on:
• How to request an extension of filing tax returns;
• The temporary waiver of state and local hotel tax for disaster victims and relief workers; and
• Certain sales tax exemptions available as a result of a declared natural disaster.
For more information, please visit the Declared Natural Disasters and Emergencies Tax Help webpage.
Recent hurricanes and earthquakes might have caused more than $100 billion in insured losses, which is likely to affect the insurance industry's capital reserves and quarterly earnings. Although pricing has declined in recent years, such a high level of losses would likely lead reinsurers and commercial insurers to raise rates, executives say.
Repair Permits
As Houston homeowners rebuild, it's important to ensure that you have the proper permits to move forward. The Houston Permitting Center is making this easier by opening satellite permitting centers throughout the city and has extended hours at all locations. For a list of locations and tips for making repairs to your homes, click here.
Report Your Debris
The city's Solid Waste Management Department is working to remove debris as quickly as possible throughout Houston. Be sure the city knows about your damage and debris by submitting a report on houston311.org or on the Houston 311 App for smartphones. Please note that calling 311 repeatedly will not increase the speed by which your debris is collected. For information on debris management, visit houstonrecovers.org.
Events
 Thursday, October 19, 201711:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
AGC Houston
Make Your AGC Membership Work for You! We encourage all members to attend the Member Orientation to learn about the many benefits AGC offers and how to get more involved with the chapter!
 Register for Houston's only construction Technology Conference today!
Visit www.agctechconference.com
News you can Use
On September 26, 2017,at the National Safety Council's annual Congress & Expo, OSHA Deputy Director of Enforcement Programs Patrick Kapust announced the preliminary list of 10 standards most frequently cited by the agency's inspectors during Fiscal Year 2017. Fall protection was the most-cited standard for the seventh year in a row, followed by hazard communication, and scaffolding.
The only new addition to last year's list was fall protection - training requirements, which came in at ninth place. OSHA publicizes the top 10 list to increase awareness of these standards so employers can take steps to find and fix the hazards to prevent injury or illness.
On Monday, October 2, 2017,excavation for the new $1.1 billion retractable-roof ballpark began on the eastern portion of the project site, which sits on what was parking lot B just south of Globe Life Park. The work comes less than a week after the Texas Rangers held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site to formally kick off construction of the new ballpark.
Contractors in Louisiana are worried that the hurricanes in Houston and Florida could have a significant impact on the construction labor market in a region still working to bounce back from the 2016 floods. According to Ken Simonson, Associated General Contractors of America chief economist, enough work exists in Louisiana, meaning there is "little incentive" for workers to leave the state.
Membership Benefits
The ConstructorCast is AGC of America's monthly podcast covering all the news, views, and interviews relevant to your construction business. Each month, we pick a new topic and sit down with experts to go in depth on some of the most pressing subjects in the construction industry. Search for it on your mobile device's podcast app to subscribe, or visit our website for more information.
Topics include:
Here's Looking at You
On Friday, September 29, 2017, the AGC Houston Government Affairs Committee invited Michel Bechtel (pictured below far left), Mayor of Morgan's Point, Texas and owner of Blue Moon Exploration. Bechtel is part of the Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance, a recently chartered, volunteer-led, non-profit organization that is championing the effort to build the Gulf Coast coastal barrier system for storm surge protection also referred to as the Ike Dike.  The project was conceived by Professor Bill Merrell of Texas A&M University at Galveston in response to the extensive surge damage caused by Hurricane Ike in September of 2008. The project would extend the protection afforded by the existing Galveston Seawall along the rest of Galveston Island and along the Bolivar Peninsula, with a 17-foot high revetment near the beach or raising the coastal highways. Click here to understand what the system will do.
To view a news report on the project, click here.
Fifteen young professionals, representing the next generation of commercial construction leaders, headed to the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston, September 28-29, 2017, to kick off the Leadership AGC program. In its fourth year, the nine-month leadership training program is designed to develop and grow our industry's future leaders, and gives participants an intensive experience that encompasses a broad scope of community and industry concerns. Led by Construction Leadership Council board members and graduates of past Leadership AGC classes, The event began with a introductory warm-up exercises, a reception and followed with a dinner attended by board of directors members.
Leadership AGC Class Of 2018 Participants
New Members
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