Members' Edge
News you can Use

On Friday, February 16, 2018, the Austin City Council passed a long-discussed ordinance requiring employers to provide employees with paid sick and safe leave ("PSL"). Austin is the first city in the South ever to enact such a law. This law, which will become effective October 1, 2018, will affect all employers with employees who work at least 80 hours in Austin during a calendar year. Read the article from the National Law Review here and look for an industry outlook article from Andrews Myers, PC attorney Tony Stergio soon to be published in Member’s Edge.

Register Today!
U.S. Department Of Labor Houston Employer Forum
Wednesday, February 28, 2018, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Houston Community College Southeast, Learning HUB, 6815 Rustic, Houston, TX 77087.

Don’t miss this free opportunity to get compliance assistance information and training from the agencies that enforce federal labor laws. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first- served basis. Up to two people per organization may attend.

Increasing Firm Profitability Remain Top Business-Related Concern for the Coming Year
 
The year 2017 ended with architecture firms continuing to report strong firm billings. An Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.9 for December meant that, for 10 of the year's 12 months, architecture firms saw increases in billings (any score over 50 indicates billings growth). 

The OSHA Construction Safety and Health Conference will provide an ideal forum to learn about new and ever changing safety products, processes, procedures and technology in the construction industry. You will have the opportunity to network with construction safety professionals, technical experts, regulators and executives to exchange new ideas and concepts related to construction safety. 

This conference is expected to draw between 600-800 attendees from both construction and industrial sectors, twice the size of the previous conference held in Dallas. Plenty of sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities!

On January 5, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reissued 17 previously withdrawn opinion letters addressing a wide range of topics under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Fifteen of the 17 letters were originally signed off on during the final days of the Bush administration, but were withdrawn by the Obama administration "for further consideration by the Wage and Hour Division" on March 2, 2009, and stated that it would "provide a further response in the near future," but never did. 

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of AGC of America, released a statement December 1, 2017 in connection with the proposed Senate Tax Reform measure: "The association has long advocated for comprehensive tax reform, especially considering that construction employers pay the highest effective rate of any industry at 30.3 percent. The Senate tax reform bill has been substantially improved over the course of the past few days and we support its passage.

"It is important to note that most construction firms are organized as pass-through entities, such as S corporations and partnerships that are taxed at personal rather than corporate tax rates. While the Senate proposal has wisely increased the pass-through deduction from 17.4 percent to 23 percent, the fact that the cut is temporary is concerning. We also remain disappointed that infrastructure was largely overlooked in the tax reform process. This is a missed opportunity."
Education/Training
Nominations due March 31, 2018.

Presented annually, this prestigious award gives special recognition to a construction industry employee who most exemplifies the highest standards of excellence.All construction industry employees are eligible including employees of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service companies, architects and engineers.

 
Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc.
TAS Commercial Concrete, LLC
AGC News
Construction Official Urges Congress to Act Quickly to Pass New Infrastructure Legislation Now that the President Has Outlined an Ambitious Plan to Invest $200 Billion in New Federal Funds

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of AGC of America, released a press release on February 12, 2018 in reaction to the release of President Trump’s proposal to improve and rebuild the country’s aging public works, including roads, bridges, airports, waterways and clean water systems.

The AGC-supported CICA Center is a free online resource on environmental compliance and sustainability that is open to the entire U.S. construction industry.  The Center is an online clearinghouse of resources on the top rules you will need to keep track of during your construction projects.
Republicans’ brief control of the National Labor Relations Board ended with the expiration of Chairman Philip Miscimarra’s term on Dec. 16, 2017.  In anticipation of the change, the Board issued several employer-friendly decisions with significant impact.  The most high-profile among them is a ruling in Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors that overturns the controversial, AGC-opposed joint-employer standard established in Browning-Ferris Industries.
American Door Products
Baker Triangle
Events

March 1: AGC Membership Mixer - NEW LOCATION! Cafe Adobe Sponsored by SMARTBID

March 23 & 24: AGC Houston Barbecue Cook-Off & Fair- Cook Team Registration Ends TOMORROW!

April 9: AGC/AIA Golf Tournament At Champions Golf Club - Registration and Sponsorships open!

September 22: SAVE THE DATE! APEX Awards Gala at The Houstonian. Sponsorships now open!

Proline Supply Company
Membership Benefits
AGC members are eligible to participate in more than 20 discount programs specifically designed to meet the needs of contractors. Whether you are looking to purchase a new vehicle for your fleet or for ways to cut costs on fuel and shipping, AGC programs can save you money. Enroll and maximize the value of your membership. Discover more.

  
Our dedicated specialist has years of experience handling complicated power needs for the construction industry.
Reliant will request your temporary meter from the TDSP and can manage the transition from temporary to permanent power.
  • Reliant will ensure that your meters are installed in the right place, at the right time, to help meet your construction timelines − all at a special AGC price.
 Call: 1.855.350.8656 or visit reliant.com/agc for more information.
AGC Houston is pleased to announce that 401 (k) group plan participants can choose from a series of webinars designed to review the plan's highlights and personal retirement outlook. The first Webinar took place January 25 and the second one will be held today, February 22 at 4:00 p.m. 

All webinars will be live at 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. CST. Sign up for the next series of webinars, featuring the following topics:

Saving & Budgeting; Plan Highlights & Your Retirement Outlook; Balancing Retirement & College; Investing 101; Your Retirement Outlook & Joining The Plan; Social Security; Planning For Families With Special Needs; Healthcare In Retirement

 
Safety
Friday, February 26, 2018
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at AGC Houston
 
Give and gain valuable insight to complex issues that affect jobsite safety. Join industry professionals, as well as OSHA representatives, as they discuss safety issues and regulations that affect the commercial construction industry.
Thanks to our breakfast sponsor, United Tool & Fastener
 

 Why The AGC Houston Safety Committee Matters
"The Houston AGC Safety Committee is a forum which brings together construction safety professionals to discuss safety awareness and worker protection in our industry. It gives beginning and seasoned professionals the opportunity to share ideas, best practices, training and policy implementation. None of us is as strong as all of us."
Carlos Alvarez, AGC Houston Safety Committee Chair
Senior EHS Manager, Skanska USA Building, Inc.

 
Here's Looking at You

Close to 70 CLC members- representing general contractors, specialty contractors, associates and affiliates of the commercial construction industry - spent a great evening networking on February 28, 2018 at King’s Bierhaus. In addition to hosting networking mixers for young professionals, the CLC raises funds for the Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship through a Poker tournament, which will take place May 10 and a golf tournament on August 10. This group also launched Leadership AGC, a program designed to develop the next generation of leaders.

Contact Charlene Anthony at Charlene.a@agchouston.org for more information.


On February 13, 22018, with the support of the AGC Sporting Clays Event Committee, the chapter raised nearly $20,000! More than 200 novice shooters and marksmen braved the cold on both shooting courses at the Greater Houston Gun Club. Proceeds from the event benefit the Advocacy Fund to help ensure that the Houston commercial construction industry is represented at the local and state levels. View more photos of the event here.


 

New Members
Welcome New Members! Please Consider Contacting These Companies For Your Business Needs
Watts Pool Company
Robert Pack
robertpack@wattspool.com
11150 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77043
(713) 461-7300
www.wattspool.com

Stellar Restoration Services, LLC
Amanda Coolidge
acoolidge@stellarrestoration.com
10497 Town & Country Way, Suite 930
Houston, Texas 77024
(800) 731-1804
www.stellarrestoration.com

CORE, LLC
Leslie Briner
126 W. San Augustine
Deer Park, Texas 77536
(225) 456-2243
 
Katy Hardware
Kay Powers
559 Pin Oak Rd.
Katy, Texas 77494
(281) 391-3437

All-Tex Roofing, LLC
Ron Wunderlich
5605 Creekmont Drive
Houston, TX 77091-4916
(713) 683-6775

Double Oak Erosion
Tyler Faircloth
P.O. Box 979
Waller, Texas 77484
(281) 841-4424
 
 

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