Substantial new infrastructure funding and a repeal of the 3 percent withholding mandate—major legislative priorities for ACEC—were included in the economic stimulus legislation passed by the House of Representatives this week.

The bill provides over $100 billion for infrastructure and public buildings. The final vote on the "American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act" was 244-188. Click here to see how your member of Congress voted.

"Significant investment in the nation's infrastructure will immediately boost jobs and support a sustainable recovery," wrote ACEC President Dave Raymond in urging quick passage in the House. Click here to view Raymond’s letter to members of Congress.

The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the bill next week, with the goal of sending a final bill to President Obama by Presidents' Day.

ACEC is engaging in a "full-court press" with lawmakers on industry priorities. Click here to access ACEC's Economic Stimulus Resource Center, which includes complete text of the legislation, and other information.

Major infrastructure provisions in the bill include: $30 billion for highways and bridges; $12 billion for transit; $3 billion for airports and aviation projects; $6 billion for wastewater improvements; $2 billion for drinking water projects; nearly $13 billion for Corps of Engineers and DoD construction; $6.7 billion for GSA federal buildings; and $14 billion for school construction and modernization.

The bill also says that states which fail to certify that federal funds are not supplanting state funding will have their stimulus funds withdrawn.

In addition to the 3 percent withholding repeal, the bill includes provisions to allow businesses to depreciate assets more quickly, allow small firms to write-off (expense) more capital expenditures, and extend the net operating loss carry back from two years to five years.

Key changes in the Senate version include higher funding levels for transportation and water infrastructure, longer timelines for state and local governments to spend the money, and a one-year delay in the 3 percent withholding mandate rather than full repeal.

Eugene Conti, North Carolina Secretary of Transportation

Eugene Conti, who was PBS&J's District Director for the Carolinas, has been named North Carolina's Secretary of Transportation by Governor Bev Perdue.

Conti, a former board member with ACEC/North Carolina, had previously served as the state DOT's chief deputy secretary. He also was assistant secretary for transportation policy with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Gov. Perdue said Conti will create a more professional agency. In recent years, the state DOT has been dogged by charges of inefficiency. In 2007, a report by McKinsey & Company found that the 13,000-employee agency lacked priorities and accountability, which resulted in project delays.

ACEC members are encouraged to sign up for service on ACEC National committees.

Participation on an ACEC committee brings vitality to the Council and ensures that the issues of members are dealt with in Council operations.

Most of ACEC's committees are "open" (i.e., sign up and you're on!). A few require appointment by the incoming ACEC chairman. The terms of committee members begin during the 2009 Annual Convention, April 26-29.

Open and appointive committees are listed below. Be sure to share this information with co-workers and encourage them to volunteer as well—remember, ACEC committee membership is open to all employees of ACEC member firms.

Still Time to Register for Portland Green Infrastructure Certificate Course Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities February 9-12, Portland, OR Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities was developed by ACEC and Colorado State University for engineers and planners looking for a course on civil infrastructure projects and town/regional planning approaches to sustainable design and construction. Set for February 9-12, in Portland, the certificate course will cover sustainable development in a business context today and in the future, sustainable design tools and techniques, impacts of development and projects on the environment, sustainable design for specific engineering markets (urban water management, transportation, buildings) and client interaction on sustainable projects. The course will be presented by a well-known and diverse team of experts: Larry A. Roesner, professor, Colorado State University; Angela Lindner, associate dean, University of Florida; Harold E. Peaks, Federal Highway Administration; David R. Stewart, environmental consultant; Mark van Soestbergen, founder, International Carbon Bank and Exchange; and Bill Wallace, author and consultant on sustainable development. For details and to register, click here.

Green Transportation, Water Projects Course To Focus On Tools And Techniques Engineering Sustainable Infrastructure: Opportunities in Green Transportation and Water Projects March 26-27, Dearborn (Detroit), MI This highly focused new course "reframes the conversation about sustainable development," looks at it in a business context, outlines tools and techniques, and examines the exciting and expanding future opportunities of sustainable design in specific engineering markets. Presenting faculty are recognized experts Michael Replogle, Living Cities Program, Environmental Defense Fund; David R. Stewart, Stewart Environmental Consultants; and Bill Wallace, Wallace Futures Group, LLC. For details and to register, click here.

BIM 2009 Course Examines Risks, Rewards Of Interdisciplinary Project Delivery System Building Information Modeling (BIM): The Promise and The 2009 Reality for A/E/C Firms March 26-27, Seattle, WA Addressing the present and future of industry challenges, Building Information Modeling (BIM): The Promise and The 2009 Reality for A/E/C Firms is an informative and timely look into the many components of this increasingly important interdisciplinary project delivery system. ACEC presents the 2009 edition of this detailed overview course, March 26-27 in Seattle, for COOs, IT and project managers, and company principals. Course faculty represent diverse perspectives and first-hand experience in adoption of BIM. Agenda topics include: A Reason for Change; Exploring the Technology and Interoperability; Implementation Strategies and IT Case Study; BIM in the Field; Fabrication in the BIM Environment; and an update on Risk Management & Insurance for "BIM-Ready" Firms. For details and to register, click here.

Add Courtroom Skills To Engineering Expertise With March Expert Witness Course Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness March 19-20, Kansas City, MO Many engineers may well be professionally qualified, but only the court-savvy, prepared and prudent engineers are prepared for potentially lucrative assignments as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness, ACEC's unique new one-and-a-half-day course, set for March 19-20, Kansas City, prepares your engineers for legal service with recognition and a certificate of course completion. Designed for professional engineers, architects and surveyors interested in earning credentials for legal service engagements, the course will be presented by recognized experts Alan B. Croft, an experienced litigator and trial attorney; Fred Schoenlaub, Feldhausen & Schoenlaub, PC, a former judge and veteran international construction attorney; and Guy Vaillancourt, president, Woodard & Curran, who has served clients as a testifying expert for the past 15 years. For details and to register, click here.

BDC Equips Leaders To Manage In Challenging Economic Environment The Business of Design Consulting: Managing to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment March 25-28, Orlando, FL ACEC's perennially popular Business of Design Consulting adds a new course subtitle to better convey the focused 2009 approach to strategies for a successful A/E business: Managing to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment. Early registration is open for the course set for March 25-28, Orlando. Content covers the eight key areas of leadership, human resources, contracts, risk management, information technology, finance, business management and marketing—all in the context of the current economic climate and the long view of essential business functions, plus real-world technical examples. For owners, principals, executives, and managers of A/E firms, this contemporary look at the building blocks of your business is a cost-effective investment for surviving the current A/E business challenges and succeeding in a more competitive-than-ever future. For details and to register, click here.

The American Council of Engineering Companies 1015 15th St., NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005-2605 Phone: 202-347-7474 - Fax: 202-898-0068 www.acec.org - E-mail:acec@acec.org Alan D. Crockett, Director, PR • Ann Brandstadter, Editor/Designer