Members' Edge - September 21, 2017

AGC News

AGC Announces OSHA's 30-Day Enforcement For The Silica Standard

On Tuesday, September 19, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a memorandum (attached) to OSHA Regional Administrators announcing how the Agency will handle enforcement of the new silica standard for the construction industry, which takes effect on September 23, 2017.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=463050&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

AGC Continues Push For Infrastructure Investments

Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said many states were struggling financially. Illinois, for example, briefly suspended work on 900 projects in early July during a standoff over the state's budget.

'It's always easier to defer new construction than to stop paying people who are on the payroll or the welfare rolls," he said. "A lot of states are under real stress."

Visit https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/us/politics/infrastructure-trump.html to view the full article online.

Proposal To Preempt New York's Notorious Scaffold Law Offers Good Start To Improving Construction Safety In The Empire State

Construction Official Says Congressman Faso’s Bill Will Also Lower Costs of Federally-Funded Projects in New York By Preempting State’s Unique and Dated Absolute Liability Standard.

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of AGC Of America released the following statement in reaction to Congressman John Faso’s introduction of legislation to preempt New York state’s so-called Scaffold Law on federally funded projects:

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=462308&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Hurricane Harvey Related News

AGC Houston Supports Harvey Relief Efforts Through AGC Charities

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=463030&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Hurricane Harvey created record flooding over a heavily populated area;
huge amounts of housing will need to be rebuilt, replaced or relocated. But, so
far, there have been few reports of lasting damage to production capacity or
infrastructure. AGC of America released a report on the toll it the flooding has taken on the commercial construction industry.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=462285&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Declared Natural Disasters and Emergencies Tax Help

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=463036&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Member News

Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc. Promotes De La Torre

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=462978&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Houston Parking Party Premieres September 28 At Biggio's

AGC Houston members are invited to attend the first Houston Parking Party, which will bring together designers, constructors, fabricators and installers in the parking industry September 28 from 4-7 p.m. Beverages and food provided!

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/Houston_Parking_Party_Invitation.pdf to view the full article online.

News you can Use

Hurricane Irma Damages Florida Construction Cranes

Strong winds from Hurricane Irma have damaged several construction cranes in South Florida. Miami officials had warned residents that construction cranes could collapse during the storm.

Visit http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article172416297.html to view the full article online.

Hurricanes Won't Impact Louisiana Construction Labor Market

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, said enough work exists in Louisiana, meaning there is "little incentive" for workers to leave the state.

Visit http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_3289a5e2-973b-11e7-8796-7f7ef21739e2.html to view the full article online.

Americans Support Increase In Taxes, Tolls To Fund Infrastructure

A survey by HNTB Corp. showed that 84 percent of Americans would support tax increases or tolls if the money was only spent on infrastructure. The survey also found that 73 percent support public-private partnerships and eight in 10 respondents support tolling existing roads.

Visit http://www.constructiondive.com/news/poll-a-majority-of-americans-would-pay-more-taxes-for-better-roads/504640/ to view the full article online.

Construction Of Commercial Buildings Slows

Construction of commercial buildings declined 2.4% in July,
according to the U.S. Census Bureau, extending a decline that has lasted much of
this year. GDP growth has maintained momentum, according to NAREIT economist
Calvin Schnure, which is likely to result in a favorable balance of supply and
demand in the months ahead.

Visit https://www.reit.com/data-research/research/market-commentary/construction-activity-begins-slow-boosting-outlook-reits to view the full article online.

Harris County Permit Office Opens In New Northwest Houston Location

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=462313&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=462299&issueID=56224 to view the full article online.

Read The Fall Issue Of Cornerstone

Hot off the press, AGC Houston's Cornerstone magazine reports on the Safety Stand-Down, the Midyear Safety Meeting, the revised AIA Prime Contract, how New Technologies Present New Liabilities, and much more.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nxt/nxt-v2.asp?issueID=62379 to view the full article online.