Bush's State of the Union Advances Key ACEC Priorities Of Tort Reform, AHP, And Tax Relief President George W. Bush emphasizes regulatory relief. President Bush's State of the Union address this week focused on Social Security reform, foreign policy, and fiscal discipline, but stressed the need for Congress to act on many ACEC initiatives such as tort reform, association health plan (AHP) legislation and tax code reforms. The President noted the high costs associated with lawsuit abuse, urging legislation to curb runaway medical malpractice awards and "venue shopping" in class action lawsuits. "The liability faced by doctors and other medical providers is a major cost driver that affects the insurance premiums our members pay," said ACEC Life/Health Trust President Derrell Johnson. Johnson added that this legislation coupled with another item on the President's agenda—passage of association health plan legislation-represent major steps that will help to control growing health insurance costs.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) emphasizes infrastructure funding. Bush urged Congress to extend permanently the reductions in capitol gains tax rates and estate tax reforms that were enacted in 2001 (and set to expire in 2008 and 2010 respectively). He has also appointed a commission to recommend major structural changes to the tax code, such as a flat tax or national sales tax. It is expected that Congress will consider a larger rewrite of the tax code in 2006. In his Democratic response to the State of the Union, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) stressed the continuing need for more infrastructure investment: "We need…a Marshall Plan for America to build the infrastructure our economy needs to grow."

TEA-21 Funding Level Near $299 Billion—Convention, CCD Turnout Critical House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) both indicated this week that the final TEA-21 reauthorization bill is nearing the $299 billion funding level House and Senate negotiators floated at end of last year. Inhofe and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) are poised to reintroduce reauthorization bills, while the President is expected to send Congress his budget request for transportation and other programs early next week. The statements of Inhofe and DeLay suggest a final compromise package of $299 billion, and the Majority Leader indicated that the White House has agreed to this funding level. Inhofe added, however, that "I am going to do what I can to get more." Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) indicated that overall funding levels and funding formulas have yet to be determined. At the end of the session last year, Congress voted to extend federal surface transportation programs through May 31, 2005. Young and Inhofe hope to get their reauthorization proposals introduced and through their respective chambers in time to meet the May 31 deadline. ACEC and its industry allies continue to urge Congress for a reauthorization bill as quickly as possible. This is a major priority for the Council when its "citizen lobbyists" come to Washington for the Annual Convention in April. ACEC President Dave Raymond said, "Our members will be in Washington at the very time TEA-21 is in play, which means we need maximum turnout from our members to push this legislation over the top." For more information on ACEC's Annual Convention and to register, click here.

CCD, EEA, FMC And Annual Convention All Rolled Into One The 2005 Annual Convention guarantees to provide an informative, enlightening and entertaining time for all attendees. For the first time ever, the Convention, April 10-13, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington D.C. combines Consulting Congress Day, the Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, the Federal Markets Conference and the Annual Convention into one dynamic event. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, and the husband and wife political pundit team of James Carville and Mary Matalin, are among the guest speakers. The Convention also features state-of-the-art educational seminars, professional forums and CEO roundtables. Reservations can be made by visiting www.acec.org, or by contacting the Grand Hyatt directly at 202-582-1234 and referencing ACEC. Contact meetings@acec.org or 202-347-7474 for further information.

ACEC Promotes QBS At World Bank International Committee Chairman Gregs Thomopulos Members of the ACEC International Committee met with senior officials at the World Bank this week in Washington to advocate the use of Qualifications-Based Selection in the procurement of engineering services on Bank-financed projects. Committee members seek to change the way the Bank and other multilateral financial institutions procure engineering services by stressing the negative impacts of cost-based selection methods, and the advantages of QBS. Some bank-funded projects use QBS at the behest of the host country, but the institution's guidelines recommend cost-based procurement mechanisms for all but the most complex projects. The meeting was held with representatives from the U.S. Executive Director's Office, the Canadian Executive Director's office and the World Bank Procurement Policy office. "The Bank needs to incorporate into its policy guidance on the long term benefits, both to the projects themselves and to the consulting industry in developing countries, of selecting engineering services based on qualifications," said International Committee Chairman Gregs Thomopulos. The Bank agreed to continue regular meetings with ACEC leadership on the issue of QBS, and to include additional countries to create a more diverse and ultimately stronger message to bank leaders.

Engineering Community Responds To Tsunami Disaster Jim Thrash of Parsons Corporation The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP), of which ACEC is a founding member, hosted a one-day public-private workshop this week to define the role of the U.S. engineering and construction community in the relief and reconstruction efforts following the Indian Ocean tsunami. The workshop, held January 27 at the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), was attended by about 80 participants and included speakers from U.S. Agency on International Development (USAID), the Corps of Engineers, the World Bank, and Engineers without Borders-USA. NAE President William A. Wulf spoke on the devastating loss of life resulting from the tsunami disaster and remarked that "for those who remain, we (engineering professionals) can make life much better." "This workshop provided a unique forum for the engineering community to interact with the federal agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that coordinate disaster relief - a first step towards establishing an effective and sustainable public-private partnership that can respond to international disasters with FEMA-like success," said Jim Thrash of Parsons Corporation. Engineers without Borders-USA is currently accepting applications for professional engineers to volunteer to coordinate and implement specific infrastructure projects in the affected regions. For more information on how to volunteer or donate, visit the EWB-USA website: www.ewb-usa.org/Tsunami.html. For more information from the TISP website regarding the workshop and to view copies of the presentations click here.

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