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�鶹��ý and its Transportation Construction Coalition partners organized a bipartisan effort led by Reps. Conor Lamb (D-Penn.) and Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio) calling on the leadership of the House of Representatives to include an immediate $49.95 billion federal fund infusion for state departments of transportation (DOT) to move planned projects forward. Projections are showing decreases in state motor fuel tax and toll receipts as vehicle traffic declines by 50 percent in most parts of the country due to work and travel restrictions. Some state DOTs could experience losses as high as 45 percent, leading to significant project letting delays and cancellations, threatening construction jobs. �鶹��ý and its chapters are making a concerted effort to bring as many members of the House together in making this request a priority included in the next COVID-19 relief bill. Contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to tell them to support this critical funding for the transportation construction industry in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

On April 22, �鶹��ý, along with four other organizations, was invited by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to submit a written statement on two water-related discussion drafts released. America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 would invest the nation’s water resources infrastructure and clean water infrastructure and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 would invest in the nation’s drinking water infrastructure. As part of its legislative process, EPW is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the discussion drafts through May 1, 2020. Information on how to submit feedback can be found here. �鶹��ý is continuing to review the discussion drafts and encourages chapters and members to share their feedback on them.

Coronavirus-caused Slowdown Contrasts with January Figures Showing a Majority of Metro Areas Added Construction Jobs; Officials Note New Infrastructure Funding and Paid Family Leave Fixes are Needed

Construction Firms Are Already Taking Steps to Protect Employees, Most of Whom Already Wear Protective Equipment, While Halting Work Will Undermine Efforts to Add Hospital Capacity

�鶹��ý’s Lean Construction Forum Steering Committee Chairman Scott Green, Manager of Construction Technology at Tarlton Corporation extended the baton at last weeks' annual Convention to Jason Schneider, Partner, Director of Project Management at VJS Construction Services, Inc. for the 2020-2022 term.

At the �鶹��ý Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Building Division by acclimation elected Robert (Bob) Majerus as Chairman for 2020-2021. Bob is a graduate of Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has a Law Degree from the University of Notre Dame. He joined Hensel Phelps in 2006 and serves as Vice President and General Counsel, Bob has overall responsibility for contractual and legal matters for the Greeley, Colorado-based organization. Prior to joining Hensel Phelps, Bob was a trial attorney for a private law firm. He began his career with Hensel Phelps as Associate General Counsel before being appointed Vice President and General Counsel.

On Feb. 26, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed H.R. 5912, the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act of 2020. This �鶹��ý-supported legislation would ensure that Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds can be used to provide incentive payments to contractors for early completion of eligible projects. Early completion incentives allow owners to identify projects that provide significant public benefits that would be enhanced if the project were completed earlier. Rather than the owner agency establishing unrealistic completion dates, which could discourage some contractors from bidding on those projects, incentive payments allow contractors to determine how best to earn the incentive. �鶹��ý applauds the committee for passage of this measure and will continue to support its movement through the legislative process.

On Feb. 19, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced the award of $520 million in airport infrastructure grants to 287 airports as part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP grant program awards billions of dollars each year for the planning and development of public-use airports across the country. As part of the �鶹��ý-supported fiscal year 2020 funding bill, the program received $3.75 billion in federal funding, $400M more than is authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act. �鶹��ý applauds the Secretary’s announcement and will continue to support investment in our nation’s airport infrastructure.

On Jan. 31, �鶹��ý, along with �鶹��ý of Western Kentucky and Ray Black & Son, led U.S. Representative James Comer of Kentucky on a tour of the $26.2 million construction of the Paducah Innovation Hub. The facility will house several traditional technical center classes including carpentry, welding, and electricity as well as classes in computer-aided design, engineering, and robotics. During the tour, the group spoke about the workforce shortages facing the construction industry and how facilities like the Paducah Innovation Hub will help address these concerns. Specifically, the group noted a 2019 �鶹��ý of America survey that found 85 percent of contractors in Kentucky are having “a hard time filling some or all positions.” During the visit �鶹��ý urged Rep. Comer to utilize his role on the House Education and Labor Committee to advocate for increased career and technical education funding. The visit was covered by both the Paducah Sun and West Kentucky Star.