ACEC and industry allies are aggressively lobbying the U.S. Senate this week to act on legislation that would restore $8 billion to the Highway Trust Fund in order to head off serious cuts to state transportation programs in fiscal year 2009.

The fix, which will be included in legislation to extend expiring FAA programs through the end of the fiscal year, is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate as early as this week.

ACEC strongly encourages members to write to their Senators TODAY to support the legislation. Click here for a sample letter. Members can FAX the letters to Senate offices. Click here for the fax numbers for Senate offices.

Current projections show that the Trust Fund faces a deficit in fiscal year 2009 which could result in cuts to state transportation programs by 34 percent. The 2009 fiscal year begins October 1. Senate Finance Committee leaders are proposing an $8 billion credit from the General Fund, essentially reclaiming funds transferred out of the Highway Trust Fund during final negotiations for TEA-21 in 1998.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gathered key association executives this week, including ACEC President Dave Raymond, to address transportation funding issues with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA).

The conservative Georgia lawmaker is expected to play a pivotal role in future negotiations over solutions to the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

The group pressed for the restoration of $8 billion to the Highway Trust Fund that was diverted previously, as well as longer term solutions, including restoring the purchasing power of the federal gas tax, promoting use of private investment, and ensuring a strong federal role.

Senator Isakson agreed that concerted action was needed across a broad front. The meeting, chaired by U.S. Chamber President Tom Donohue, also featured participation from senior executives of labor as well as business groups that are united in their support for transportation infrastructure.

On June 9, 2008, the White House released an amended Executive Order signed by President George W. Bush directing all federal departments and agencies to require contractors to use "an electronic employment eligibility verification system" chosen by the Secretary of Homeland Security to confirm that their employees are legally permitted to work in the United States.

This requirement applies to "all persons hired during the contract term by the contractor to perform employment duties within the United States; and all persons assigned by the contractor to perform work within the United States on the federal contract."

On the same day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated "E-Verify" as the electronic verification system that all federal contractors must use. The DHS stated that "E-Verify is a free Internet-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the legal status of new hires within seconds." To enroll, employers must register online and complete a Memorandum of Understanding. The system is administered for DHS by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

On June 12, the Federal Register published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by the agencies responsible for the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) regarding the implementation of the new E-Verify requirements. Comments on the proposed rule are due by August 11th. The final rule could be in place by September 10th.

Janice Burnett, ACEC/Arizona executive director, noted that her Member Firms are already experienced in working with E-Verify: "In our state, we already had a requirement to use this system, and we've had no problems with it. However, our members do have to be proactive about using E-Verify and complying with the law."

To read the DHS press release on the new employee verification requirement, click here.

To learn more about E-Verify, click here.

To read the NPRM, click here.

Indiana PAC Champion Philip Beer

ACEC/Indiana added to its perfect record by once again achieving its yearly ACEC/PAC fundraising target. The Hoosier State has met its goal every year since such goals were established in 2003.

"What happens in Congress is too important to sit on the sidelines," said Indiana PAC Champion Philip Beer of USI Consultants in Indianapolis. "ACEC/PAC is our tool for proactive engagement."

Beer credited ACEC/Indiana President John Kupke and ACEC/Indiana National Director Ross Snider for helping the Member Organization meet its goal.

ACEC President Dave Raymond, who addressed Indiana's annual meeting last week said, "Not many states have the consistent record of achievement that Indiana enjoys, thereby contributing to the well-being of our industry, not only in Indiana, but nationwide."

Indiana joins Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Metro Washington, and Montana in meeting their 2008 fundraising goals. Several states are following close behind as election season moves into high gear.

Click here to see the progress of each state in achieving its ACEC/PAC goal for 2008 and information on the PAC Champion(s) leading the state fundraising effort. For more information about ACEC/PAC, contact Greg Knopp, gknopp@acec.org or Elizabeth Coit, ecoit@acec.org.