Members' Edge - April 4, 2019

AGC News

Proposal To Create Temporary Worker Visa System Will Boost Economy, Cut Illegal Immigration

AGC of America urged Congress to act quickly on the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act that was introduced on March 13 by Pennsylvania Congressmen Lloyd Smucker. The measure would establish the only federal temporary visa program for construction, among other industries covered by the measure.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/03/13/proposal-create-new-temporary-worker-visa-system-construction-and-other-industries to view the full article online.

AGC Of America Calls On President To Enact Workforce For An Expanding Economy Legislation

The record number of job openings in construction shows the urgency of allowing contractors to bring qualified guest workers into the country along with strict safeguards for American jobs and reduced incentives for individuals to enter the country illegally. Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC's chief executive officer stated: “Allowing employers to bring in guest workers for positions that can’t be filled otherwise is essential to keep the economy expanding.”

Thirty-seven states added construction jobs between February 2018 and February 2019, although construction employment increased in only 16 states between January and February, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (22,700 jobs, 3.1 percent), followed by Florida (22,400 jobs, 4.2 percent).

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=551905&issueID=63826 to view the full article online.

AGC TBB Convention Heads For Jackson Hole, Wyoming June 5-7

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=553083&issueID=63826 to view the full article online.

AGC & FMI Study Finds 43% Of Firms Move Design Work In-House

A study by the Associated General Contractors of America and FMI Corp. found that more than 43% of contractors are planning to move design work in-house, an increase of 5% from 2018. Compressed schedules, more widely available technology and funding issues are driving the push, but challenges include the failure of in-house teams to be thorough when developing design documents and the inadequacies of liability insurance.

Visit https://www.enr.com/articles/46626-contractors-increase-use-of-in-house-design-to-better-manage-project-demands to view the full article online.

Message from the President/CEO

Key AGC-TBB Bills Moving Through the Legislative Process

When 44 Associated General Contractors (AGC) Houston members representing 23 companies travelled to Austin for the AGC/Texas Building Branch (TBB) Legislative Day on February 25, 2019, the mission was simple: to meet with and ask key legislators for their support on a handful of bills important to the commercial construction industry. By March 8 - the deadline for filing bills - the handful of bills AGC supports became part of more than 7,000 bills to be debated, negotiated, amended, debated, tweaked etc. and hopefully, deemed worthy of passage.

Visit http://constructioncitizen.com/blog/key-agc-tbb-bills-moving-through-legislative-process/1903201 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

Construction Professionals Invited To PlanGrid’s Educational Roashow Event

PlanGrid Hosts Free Houston Roadshow Event, Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Minute Maid Park

Featuring keynote speakers, break-out sessions, certification classes and dinner on the Astros turf!

Check out the details here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=551913&issueID=63826 to view the full article online.

Interactive Map Documents Major U.S. Projects

An interactive map from Construction Dive provides information about major commercial, infrastructure and mixed-use projects across the U.S. Most of the projects are valued at $1 billion or more.

Visit https://www.constructiondive.com/news/mapping-high-impact-construction-across-the-us/551042/ to view the full article online.

Video, Updated Renderings Of Texas MLB Stadium Released

Behind-the-scenes job site footage and updated renderings of the Texas Rangers' $1.2 billion Global Life Stadium are now available. Many of the materials for the project, including precast concrete, limestone, steel and brick, are being supplied by in-state companies.

Visit https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article227249979.html to view the full article online.

DOL Proposes Update To Regular Rate Of Pay Regulations

On March 28, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division unveiled a proposed rule that would update the regulations governing regular rate requirements for the first time in more than 50 years. The proposed rule focuses primarily on clarifying whether certain kinds of perks, benefits, or other miscellaneous items must be included in the regular rate.

AGC will provide input to the DOL on the impact this update might have on the construction industry and will notify members of any developments.

Visit http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/agcleg/issues/2019-03-28.html to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

22% Off Monthly Access Fees And More For AGC Houston Members

NPP offers members exclusive savings on a variety of Verizon Wireless services for business. Plus, you can also share Verizon discounts with your employees. Sign up today so your business can start saving with the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

Visit https://mynpp.com/offer/verizon-wireless to view the full article online.

Save Up To 78 Percent On Select FedEx Services!

Join the FedEx Advantage® program and the discounts keep coming. AGC members will enjoy savings of up to 78 percent on select services.

The program is free to join and no minimum shipping, copy or print requirements to take advantage of this great member benefit. Sign up now or call 1.888.708.4100.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=551901&issueID=63826 to view the full article online.