Members' Edge
State Tax Advisors - Taxes Made EASY!
State Tax Advisors
Whether you are a general commercial contractor or a multistate industrial specialty contractor, State Tax Advisors promises to provide the best quality assurance and tax services.  Because each construction project has it's own challenges, our experienced tax consultants are able to assist you with the itricate requirements for federal and state tax regulations.
Click here to learn how we can help
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Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc.
Andrews Myers, PC
Education/Training

Don't Pass Up These Professional Development Classes Designed for Contractors!

AGC offers legal, financial, regulatory and national management programs designed for these times. Special Discounts For MEMBERS!

Presented by industry professionals in a virtual format via Zoom, take the class in wherever you are!

Enjoy Member Discount Rates

All our courses are presented in a virtual format via Zoom!
For a full list of classes, visit the AGC Houston Calendar
 

June 5, 2020
8 - 10 a.m. 
Contract Law For Commercial Construction

REGISTER NOW! 
A must for Project team members including but not limited to:
Project Managers, Contract Administrators, Subcontractors, Project Executives and Owners.
 
June 5, 2020
8 a.m. - Noon
Texas Lien Laws
 
Register Here
Coupled with the technical discussion is a practical discussion to help the attendees understand the difficulties associated with sending notices too soon or too late and being sure you can prove up the amount of the claim in the event it is challenged in court.

Safety

FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CONSTRUCTION. In 2018, there were 320 fatal falls to a lower level out of 1,008 construction fatalities (BLS data). These deaths are preventable.

Check out OSHA's Fall Prevention Resource Page - Dedicated to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented.

Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Construction Violations 

• Duty to have fall protection
• Scaffolding
• Ladders
• Fall protection training
• Eye and face protection
• General safety/health
• Head protection
• Aerial lifts
• Fall protection systems criteria and practices
• Excavations
AGC News
Among other fixes, the bill would extend the current eight-week period during which businesses must use funds to have loans forgiven to 24 weeks or Dec. 31, whichever comes sooner.
House passed the bill May 28; it now goes to President Trump who is expected to sign it into law.
 
Since the program was created in the CARES Act, many construction firms have taken advantage of it. However, AGC has identified a number of problems with the program, and H.R. 7010 addresses several of those concerns.
Construction spending fell 2.9% from March to April at a seasonally adjusted annual rate to a five-month low of $1.346 trillion, the Census Bureau reported today. Spending declined from March in 10 of the 12 public construction categories and 10 of the 11 private nonresidential categories in Census’s press release. Overall, public construction spending slid 2.5% from March to April, private nonresidential spending slipped 1.3%, and private residential spending tumbled 4.5%. Among the three largest public segments, highway and street construction fell 5.2%; educational, -2.3%; and transportation (transit, rail, airports and ports), -1.4%.

 

 
The ConstructorCast is AGC of America's monthly podcasts cover all the news, views, and interviews relevant to your construction business.
Check out the latest podcasts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the construction industry.

New AGC Podcast Episode on Lean Construction

  
AGC of America launched a nationwide program on May 13, 2020, designed to help expand the diversity of the industry by making job sites more inclusive. Called Culture of CARE (commit, attract, retain and empower), it is designed to help firms create more welcoming workplace environments for staff, particularly those from diverse demographic backgrounds.  
 
In addition to the new program, the association has already released its Business Case for Diversity & Inclusion in the Construction Industry, which provides the economic, safety and productivity rationale for expanding construction diversity. 
 
Mustang Cat
Events

June: Safety Stand-Down On Fall Protection

July 30: Mid-Year Safety Meeting - Details Coming Soon!

Aug. 7: CLC Golf Tournament - Details Coming Soon!

Sept. 3: Member Mixer - Save the Date!

Sept. 19: APEX Gala - Save the Date!

Oct. 5: AGC Champions Golf Tournament

 

Shine a Light on Fall Protection in June! Keep Safety Viral!

While OSHA postponed the National Safety Stand-Down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, AGC Houston is teaming up with the American Subcontractors Association - Houston Chapter to promote Fall Protection during June.

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees. 

We encourage all of our General Contractors and Specialty contractors to take part in this important initiative!

Click here for participation forms and resources.

 

CALLING ALL FOURSOMES!

Monday, Oct. 5, 2020
Champions Golf Club - Two Courses
13722 Champions Drive, Houston, Texas 77069

11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.     

Swing into golf season on a Fazio-designed course and enjoy Champions Golf Club's famous mouth-watering dinner buffet!
An AGC Houston Tradition For 20 Years!

Check Out Team registration and sponsorship details here 

 

Message from the President/CEO
  
As we close the second week of reopening our Chapter offices, we have been making sure to do our part to keeping everyone safe with a continued focus on best practices for safety.
 
To that end, the Chapter has launched the "Keeping Safety Viral" campaign to underscore the need for the industry to remain vigilant. With the onset of rising temperatures, the start of hurricane season and a potential uptick in COVID-19 cases as businesses continue to reopen, we must remain vigilant in our safety best practices.
 
In order to help us spread the word, we will be mailing hard hat stickers to General Contractors and Specialty Contractors to share them with member of your team. 
 
Each of us need to do our part to KEEP SAFETY VIRAL. 
News you can Use
On June 3, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott announced the reopening of all Texas businesses to 50% capacity. This is part of the state's Phase III reopening plan.
For more information, check out the "Governor's Strike Force To Open Texas " resource page.
Pandemic shutdowns have eliminated nearly 1 million jobs in construction, as an AGC survey reveals 40% of construction firms have reported canceled projects. That has turned a labor shortage into a surplus, and there are worries many who have lost jobs won't come back.
Chicago has shut down construction sites downtown, joining a number of cities where protests have led to work stoppage and damage. In other cities, contractors have voluntarily curtailed work in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
Coronavirus lockdowns caused prices of softwood lumber to decline 21.1% in April compared with March, cutting an annual gain of 26.8% in March to 2% last month, according to IHS Markit. However, prices of ready-mixed concrete increased 3.4% year over year in April, while prices of concrete pipe increased 7.9%.
A bipartisan group of senators has proposed a bill that would allow tax deductions for certain costs covered by Paycheck Protection Program loans. Without the change, payroll costs and mortgage interest paid with forgiven loans will not be deductible for first- and second-quarter estimated taxes in July.
Cities in Harris County, Texas, must adhere to the county's flood plain standards to access $2.5 billion in flood-bond money. The goal is to have more consistent rules so a city doesn't build in a way that increases flooding danger in another city.
 


HTown Counts

2020 response rate totaled 43.7% as of yesterday. Please do not forget to fill out the Census either by phone, online, or by mail.

Check it out now.

Let's continue to do our part to make sure #HoustonCounts.

ADS/ Advanced Drainage Systems
Cadence McShane Construction Company LLC
Membership Benefits
  
Data DIGest is your source for the latest economic news relevant to the construction industry with commentary and analysis from AGC's Chief Economist, Ken Simonson. It brings you actionable information to stay ahead of the curve on issues such as materials, prices, construction employment, and state-by-state construction trends.
 
Data DIGest is free to AGC Members - To activate your AGC Member subscription, simply create an AGC of America member profile. Members will be automatically added to Data DIGest.
Subscribe here.

Office Depot, OfficeMax and Staples Advantage offers cleaning and janitorial supplies to keep your workspace squeaky clean!

Through NPP, AGC Houston members can order cleaning necessities and office supplies online. AND for a limited time you can get free delivery with no minimum order. You’ll find bath tissue, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, dryers, cleaning chemicals, dish soap, detergent, facial tissues, paper towels, trash bags, laundry care, cleaning equipment and more! 

View More and enjoy the deep discounts of NPP's group purchasing power!

 
Resources
  
Employers should have an emergency plan in place that specifies what to do if a worker has signs of heat-related illness, and ensures that medical services are available if needed.
 
OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Heat page explains what employers can do to keep workers safe and what workers need to know - including factors for heat illness, adapting to working in indoor and outdoor heat, protecting workers, recognizing symptoms, and first aid training.
 
AGC Houston recently compiled a recommended practices document for jobsites in English and in Spanish. As we continue to monitor the situation, it will update it as needed. Be sure to check the AGC Houston COVID-19 Resources page frequently. 

What best practices are working for you? Let us know! Please send your commentsand photos to catherine.b@agchouston.org.
OSHA 3394 - English: 10 Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus
 
OSHA 3395 - Spanish: 10 Medidas que Todos los Lugares de Trabajo Pueden Tomar para Prevenir la Exposición al Coronavirus
 
The Department of Labor video quick tips on social distancing, disinfecting workplaces and industry risk factors to keep workers safe from COVID-19.

Hurricanes and the effects of severe thunder storms pose high risks to construction sites, with their incomplete structures; expensive machinery and equipment; flood-prone excavations; and building materials that can quickly become projectiles in high winds. 
The AGC Houston Safety Committee has prepared the "Guidelines for Creation of Emergency Preparedness Plan," a highly useful free document. 

Click here to download the document and to view more safety-related resources from AGC Houston.

Here's Looking at You

Driving around town, you might notice COVID-19 Job site "Be Smart: Stay 6-Feet Apart Banner" on construction jobsites. AGC Houston designed these banners to promote social distancing and COVID-19 sanitary measures.

A special thank you to Chuck Winfree of Triangle Reproductions, Inc. for sponsoring banners the ones shown. If you are interested in ordering banners, contact Chuck Winfree at (832) 499-4349 - cell phone.

New Members

Please consider doing business with these new AGC Houston member companies!

AAR Incorporated
Dwain Bankston
dwain@aarinc.net
(713) 466-6800
6640 Signat Road
Houston, TX 77041
www.arinc.net

FMS Utilities, LLC
Wayne Trivett
wayne@firemainsolutions.com
(832) 698-2484
315 Magnolia Business Park Dr.
Magnolia, TX 77354-8913

CMC Scaffolding Contractors, Inc.
Eddie Gilbreath
eddie@cmcscaffolding.com
6221 Fulton Street
Houston, TX 77022
www.cmcscaffolding.com

Joeris General Contractors
Steven Turner
sturner@Joeris.com
9720 Cypresswood Dr., Ste 190
Houston, TX 77070
www.joeris.com

 

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