Transportation Secretary Mineta Backs Outsourcing, Environmental Streamlining

Secretary Mineta discusses Department of Transportation plans with ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung (right) and ACEC President Dave Raymond (left) in the transportation secretary’s office.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta expressed his support for several key ACEC issues, including outsourcing and environmental streamlining, during a meeting with ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung and President Dave Raymond. Secretary Mineta said his TEA-21 reauthorization effort will include ensuring adequate funding for the nation’s transportation system and preserving state and local government funding flexibility for transportation solutions. The full text of the discussion will appear in the July/August issue of Engineering Inc.

Senators Warner And Thomas Join ACEC Fight To Protect DoD Outsourcing

ACEC’s fight against Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) anti-outsourcing amendment picked up strong support from Sens. John Warner (R-Va.) and Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.). Both Warner and Thomas have been outspoken supporters of outsourcing, with Thomas joining with ACEC in 2000 to pass legislation reining in competition from the Corps of Engineers.

The Kennedy amendment to the Senate’s F.Y. 2003 Defense Authorization Bill–which would hinder DoD’s ability to contract with the private sector, including engineering services–is almost identical to one introduced in the House last month by Reps. Tom Allen (D-Maine) and Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) that was killed through ACEC’s efforts.

“This anti-outsourcing amendment is the latest version of a bad idea that continues to threaten our industry,” said ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung. “ACEC continues its outsourcing efforts on a variety of fronts––legislative, regulatory, and judicial––to protect a healthy business climate for its members.”

Senate Boosts Highway Funds; ACEC Pushes “Maximum Funding”

House and Senate conferees are negotiating a final version of the F.Y. 2002 Supplemental Appropriations bill. The House supplemental includes $4.4 billion in additional federal highway funding, which would raise it to the TEA-21 authorized level of $27.7 billion, while the Senate version includes a provision making “up to $5.7 billion” in additional funds available to the program (for a total of $28.9 billion).

ACEC has been working with congressional leaders to restore funding to the highest possible level, and will continue to push for maximum funding for all federal infrastructure programs.

Arizona, Maine Adopt “Power Of ACEC Brand”

Arizona and Maine are the 34^th and 35^th MOs to adopt the new name and national standard.

“Maine changed its name because we believe in the power of the ACEC brand and recognize the importance of being aligned with the national organization as we work to further the legislative and business agendas of our members,” said Judith Harvie, executive director of ACEC/Maine.

Okla. Professional Services Tax Dies; ACEC Continues Efforts In Other States

An effort to impose a sales tax on professional services in Oklahoma–vigorously opposed by the Consulting Engineers Council of Oklahoma (CECO) and ACEC–died when the state legislature adjourned for the year. The Council argued effectively that firms in states imposing the tax will have less ability to compete against companies in states that do not have such a tax, and that the tax would discourage subcontracting.

“The information that was provided to us by the ACEC national office, including information on the arguments used by other MOs that have fought against the tax in recent years, was extremely helpful,” said Jim Sullins, CECO executive director.

Other state legislatures–including Florida and North Carolina–are considering similar professional services tax proposals. ACEC will continue working with its MOs to protect member firms from this burdensome new tax.

ACEC Signs Partnering Agreement With AGC

(L to R) AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr, AGC President Larry Gaskins, ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung, and ACEC President Dave Raymond sign the partnering agreement.

ACEC signed a partnering agreement this month with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) stressing the two organizations’ “desire to work together to promote innovative quality designs and efficient construction services and processes in the advancement of public and private sector construction throughout our nation.” ACEC Chairman Dan DeYoung noted that, “ACEC and AGC continue to have close working relations in fighting for QBS, outsourcing, infrastructure funding, and other measures vital to our industry.”

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