Former White House Chef To Kick-Off Annual Convention In Style With Official "State Dinner" Former White House Chef Walter Scheib to coordinate Convention's State Dinner Attendees at the upcoming ACEC Annual Convention and Legislative Summit, May 6-9 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, will kick-off the Conference in style—with an official White House-themed "State Dinner." Former White House Chef Walter Scheib will create a dinner presentation based on his years as Executive Chef to Presidents Clinton and Bush. Scheib prepared all meals for the First Family and their private entertaining, as well as all official and state functions of the presidency. Other Convention highlights include exceptional speakers such as Chris Matthews, host of the nightly talk show Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and TV political analyst George Will, as well as timely education sessions on business management. Easy Convention registration is available by clicking here. Register online and receive an additional five percent off the published price*. Bring two people from your firm and receive an even greater registration discount! Make your hotel reservations early by contacting the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 202-582-1234. Reference ACEC and receive the discounted room rate of $245 plus tax. ACEC's discounted room rates are available through April 17 or until the rooms in the block are gone, whichever occurs first. Further information is available by contacting meetings@acec.org or by calling 202- 347-7474. * Does not apply to 2nd member price and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

House Panel Clears $20 Billion Water Infrastructure Bill; QBS Provision Included ACEC-backed legislation that would authorize $20 billion for water infrastructure projects over the next five years, including a 100 percent increase over the F.Y. 2007 level, was approved by a House subcommittee this week. The Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 also includes a provision to require the use of Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) for projects funded under the bill. The bill reauthorizes and expands federal funding for the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, the principal federal funding mechanism for wastewater projects throughout the country. The bill authorizes $2 billion for FY 2008, compared to the $1 billion F.Y. 2007 level. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) to put legislation on "fast track." ACEC and a coalition of water industry groups—the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN), of which the Council is a founding member—helped in the drafting of key provisions in the bill, including language that will require the General Accountability Office (GAO) to report back to Congress by January 1, 2008 on "funding mechanisms and funding sources available to establish a Clean Water Trust Fund." Reports by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the GAO, and the WIN coalition all show a water infrastructure funding gap of between $300 billion and $500 billion over the next 20 years. "The Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 will help bring real dollars to bear on the problem of aging and crumbling water infrastructure," said Mike Cline, vice-chairman of ACEC's Environment and Energy Committee. "By providing more funds for the SRF program, it shows that Congress is serious about addressing this critical need. Moreover, the language requiring a clean water trust fund study will help position this effort for future legislative attention." Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), the sponsor of the measure and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has indicated that he intends to put this legislation on a fast track for a vote by the full House. Also approved at the subcommittee level this week was H.R. 569, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2007, which authorizes $1.8 billion for sewer overflow control grants over five years. Both bills are expected to be approved at the full committee level next week.

It Pays To Be In The Know; Respond by Feburary 9 To Find Out How Hundreds of ACEC member firms are taking part in the important 2007-2008 Design and Construction Industry Trends Survey. Participants in the survey will receive the results—the latest A/E/C industry market information—free of charge. The deadline for completing the survey has been extended until February 9. A free electronic copy of the results—a $400 value—will be provided to all participants. To participate, either fill out the questionnaire that was mailed to all member firms, or click here to take the survey electronically, click here to download a PDF of the survey. ACEC's Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey provides current statistics on member firm business practices, finances, profitability, and emerging trends, in addition to important facts on current management concerns, project delivery, and key legislative trends. For further information, please contact Jill Holcomb, Manager, Education Technical Support, jholcomb@acec.org.

Challenge To Contracting Out Now In California State Supreme Court Oral arguments were heard this week before the California State Supreme Court in the case of PECG v. Morales, an attempt by the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) to impose restrictions on Proposition 35, which authorizes state agencies to contract out for engineering, surveying, and environmental consulting services. Attorneys for PECG—the state employees union representing Caltrans engineers and technicians—argued before the court that Caltrans' application of Prop. 35 fails to comply with various state statutes regulating contracting out that were in effect prior to voter passage of Prop. 35 in 2000. PECG asserts that Prop. 35 did not repeal such pre-existing statues. CELSOC attorney Jim Corn and Caltrans attorney Jose Aguirre argued that Prop. 35 did have the effect of repealing the pre-Prop 35 statutes that severely stifled contracting out, and that reviving those statutes now would virtually nullify Prop. 35. Since its passage seven years ago, there have been several lawsuits filed in California's lower courts concerning Prop. 35 and to date, CELSOC has won every ruling. However, the State Supreme Court's decision will be the most important by far. ACEC has provided grants from its Minuteman Fund to assist CELSOC with its efforts during the appeal process. "The outcome of this case is vital to both CELSOC and ACEC," said Paul Meyer, executive director of CELSOC. "A victory here will help safeguard contracting out in California, and will also send a message to the other states that permitting outsourcing of engineering and other services to the private sector is both legally sound and good public policy. We are very appreciative of ACEC's support." Under California law, the Supreme Court has 90 days to issue its ruling.

Senior Calif. Official, Federal Agency Reps Brief Energy/Environment Committee in San Diego CDM Vice President John Price gives a presentation at the ACEC Environment & Energy Committee Winter Business Meeting in San Diego. Members of ACEC's Environment & Energy Committee held discussions with several key federal agency officials, along with a member of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, at their annual Winter Business Meeting last week in San Diego. Topics discussed included that state's environmental and energy concerns, water infrastructure funding and projects, flood controls, the Water Resources Development Act, climate change, and energy issues. Cameron Durckel, director of Gov. Schwarzenegger's San Diego office, addressed key environmental issues and projects important to the Governor including environmental restoration, water supply projects and renewable energy. CDM Vice President John Price, along with Nathan Butler from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, led a discussion on a new wastewater plant CDM is designing for the U.S. Marine Corps using design, build, operate and maintain (DBOM) principles. The success of this pilot project could signal a trend by the federal government for expanding the use of DBOM principles for major construction projects. Paul Grosser, chairman of the Environment & Energy Committee, called the meeting "enormously successful" noting that it will "set the stage for a very busy and productive year in the environmental and energy arena."

Early Bird Registration Extended For Business of Design Consulting March 7-10 in Portland ACEC's perennially popular Business of Design Consulting (BDC) course will be presented March 7-10 in Portland, OR, for COOs, CFOs, senior executives, business administrators, managers, principals and project managers at all levels. "Well-planned, well-executed, well worth the time," and "BDC should be required for all A/E firm leaders and decision makers," are among comments typical of past attendees of this highly focused four-day course. Early bird registration has been extended through next Friday, Feb. 9, for best registration and hotel prices. To view the agenda and to register click here.

February Online Seminars Examine Taxes, Ethics, HR Basics February 13 A/E Tax Deductions Update: How Your Firm Can Benefit, Susan Bennett, Ernst & Young In this timely session, a tax expert from Ernst & Young will outline what you should know to receive the maximum benefit from the ACEC-generated 9 percent A/E tax deduction, part of the key changes under the 2004 American Job Creations Act. For details and to register, click here. February 14 Trends in Business Ethics that Affect Engineers Dave Gebler, SmartPros Why do good people sometimes do the wrong thing ethically? How does "groupthink" affect the engineering firm? This seminar will provide insights and answers on how to establish the right ethical culture within your firm. For details and to register, click here. February 20 Your HR Toolkit for Success Barbara H. Irwin, HR Advisors Group LLC No matter the firm size, there are certain HR procedures and systems that are important to have in place. This seminar examines best practices and focuses on compliance issues in today's A/E workplace. For details and to register, click here.

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