Members' Edge
In this issue...
  

The year 2020 brings another round of elections for president, legislators, governors, secretaries of state, attorneys general, district attorneys, mayors, city council members, school committee members and even judges. Visit ConstructorsVote.com and Harrisvotes.com for more information and resources.

OCTOBER
13- Early voting begins for Nov. 3 general election
30 - Early voting ends for Nov. 3 general election

NOVEMBER
3 - General Election Day

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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News you can Use
A rule proposed by the Labor Department aims to clarify how workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The proposed rule uses two "core factors" and three additional factors to determine whether workers have economic reliance on an employer or are in business for themselves.
A MarketScout report says commercial insurance rates were up 6.25% on average in the third quarter, compared with the 4.8% average increase in Q2. Directors-and-officers liability insurance saw the sharpest increase — 11.5% — while umbrella and excess liability rates rose 8.5% and workers' compensation experienced its first increase in more than five years, with an uptick of 0.5%, the report says.
U.S. courts have rejected motions to dismiss only six of roughly two dozen coronavirus-related business interruption coverage lawsuits heard as of last week. The latest favorable ruling for insurers was handed down by a federal court in Philadelphia in a case involving Hartford Casualty and USI Insurance Services.
 
The Wage and Hour Division encourages employers to audit their pay practices and consider participating in the PAID program. On this website, interested employers can find the resources they need to participate in PAID, starting with relevant FLSA compliance assistance materials.
Over the past two decades, Texas courts have shown more and more deference to non-compete agreements; a positive step for employers who seek to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Often, the question raised is “How do I know if I need a non-compete?” Colby Hodges, Andrews Myers, PC, sheds light in this informative article. 
Read the full article. 
Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc.
Andrews Myers, PC
Education/Training
2021 Leadership AGC Applications Now Open!
 
Creating the Building Blocks for Our Future Leaders
Designed to develop and grow our industry’s future leaders, this program will provide a forum for and increase the awareness of potential AGC leaders by giving them an intensive experience that encompasses a broad scope of community and industry concerns.
 
The 12-session series will connect Leadership AGC participants with leaders in the construction, development, business, medical, industrial, political and educational arena.
 
 
AGC News
AGC of America's Chief Economist Kenn Simonson released an updated fact sheet regarding construction economic updates Sept. 25.
The 2021 AGC Construction Safety & Health Conference is going virtual Jan. 13-15. Join us, from wherever you are, for the same superior educational content and peer-to-peer engagement that you have come to expect from AGC. We have reduced the registration fees for this conference to reflect the virtual delivery format. And, if you are unable to join us on those dates or for a specific online session, your registration gives you access to recordings of the education sessions.
 
Industry recruitment and retention are essential to the future of the construction industry. Just as important as finding craft workers, project managers and supervisors is ensuring that these essential workers are properly educated and trained. Efforts through AGC and its network of chapters and industry partners are focused on the goal to attract, retain and train the future construction industry workforce.
AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2021 AGC Awards competitions!
The Construction Risk Partners Build America Awards (including the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category) and AGC in the Community competitions recognize the nation's most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy divisions; those contractors excelling in their partnering and collaborative endeavors; and the charitable contractors and chapters giving back to their communities.
The AGC Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards recognize contractors who are champions in advancing diversity and inclusion within their workforce, subcontractor partners, supply chain, the association and in the communities they serve.
Mustang Cat
Events

OCTOBER
15: AGC Houston Safety Committee Happy Hour Meeting

JANUARY
30: Annual Business Meeting And APEX Awards Gala - SAVE THE DATE!

MARCH
26-27: AGC Houston BBQ Cook-Off

  

With renewed excitement, we are announcing that the 30th AGC Houston Barbecue Cook-Off will head to the Pasadena Fairgrounds March 26-27, 2021

Be Part Of The Excitement As A Cook Team and/or Sponsor
This sanctioned barbecue draws thousands of construction industry professionals each year. 
No tickets sold on site. Tickets only available through cook teams and sponsors. 
Last day to register is 3/11/2021 - Check out the details.

Member News
  
When Tropical Storm Beta flooded the Riverway area, Rogers-O'Brien team members quickly stepped in to prepare the facilities and surrounding areas to successfully prevent storm water from entering the buildings.

The One and Three Riverway project, pictured, would have been flooded by the nearby Buffalo Bayou for a second time in three years had the RO team not worked proactively to protect the building.
Hard hats off to these men and women for their hard work and dedication!

Hard hats off to these men and women, including Scott Kittrell, Jennifer Gonzales, Justin Doughty, Wes Elliott, Luke Roach, Nick Mazzocchi, Michael David and Cesar Zuniga, for their hard work and dedication!

Check out the story.
  
The McShane Companies announced that its board of directors has appointed Molly McShane as Chief Executive Officer effective Oct.1, 2020. Ms. McShane previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Since joining the company in 2002, McShane has spearheaded major strategic initiatives across its portfolio of services, most notably its expansion into new geographic markets and a conscious effort to create a diverse workplace. During her tenure as Chief Operating Officer, the organization posted record growth. Before serving as COO, Molly was Chief Investment Officer – and the first woman to rise to the c-suite leadership level in the firm’s history.
Colby Rose, LEED AP, Vice President, leads the Houston office. 
  
Near Vaughn Construction's University of Houston College of Medicine project worksite, a pair of nesting American bald eagles have been discovered. Who knew that bald eagles lived in Houston? The work crews and project team members have been mezmerized by these migratory birds as they fly to and from their nest.
  
During  Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Because of COVID-19, we’re seeing the great advances made in breast cancer challenged. Around the world there’s been a sharp drop in essential screenings and testing for breast cancer, delaying critical early detection and disease management. 
Many members, such as Tellepsen, have been supporting the cause for numerous years. During October, their team members will be wearing pink on Fridays. 
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Membership Benefits
AGC of America is happy to announce a new member discount program with Michelin Tires.
This program covers Michelin, BFGoodrich, UNIROYAL and TWEEL tire brands as well as automatic enrollment in Michelin ONCall. 
 
With MICHELIN® ONCall drivers can get roadside assistance all day, every day, no matter where they are. This gets your trucks back up and running, whether it is tires, mechanical, or towing, to ensure that you maximize your productivity.
 
AGC MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 31% 
Get all the details.
 
Safety
  
Open to all AGC Houston members, this committee of safety professionals meets monthly to discuss issues and regulations that affect the commercial construction industry.
 
We've Missed You! Join us for a Happy Hour in the Parking Lot October 15.
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.    Cost: Complimentary!
Sign In to RSVP. We'll provide beverages and snacks!
Sponsors: $500
Details here

AGC Houston is proud to partner with the The Region VI OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington. The OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington is the top-ranked OSHA Training Institute Education Center in the country.

View the full list of OSHA courses here.


OCTOBER

19-22: OSHA 501: Trainer Course In OSHA Standards General Industry

NOVEMBER
2-5: OSHA 2055: Cranes In Construction NEW!

5-6: OSHA 10-Hour For Construction

18-29: OSHA 201: Fundamentals Of The Clean Air Act

DECEMBER

3-4: WTR 303- Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure

15-18: WST 401: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Resources
Through social distancing reminders, the additions of hand-washing stations, workplace hygiene protocols and the wearing of masks, we are seeing the best in our members. 
 
Contractors and workers must continue to execute the proper precautions to keep safety viral and our industry open.
 
STAY INFORMED
You can find updates on our dedicated COVID-19 Resources webpage for the commercial construction industry. 
 
  
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued temporary guidance for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements related to tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators. The action marks the department’s latest step to ensure the availability of respirators and follows President Donald J. Trump’s Memorandum on Making General Use Respirators Available. 
 
Read the full press release here.
OSHA has published additional frequently asked questions and answers regarding the need to report employees’ in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities resulting from work-related cases of the coronavirus.
 
These FAQs are the latest effort by OSHA to provide employers and employees with more information about how it will enforce its standards and regulations during the pandemic. OSHA has also previously published revised enforcement guidance detailing how OSHA will enforce the recordkeeping requirements of 29 CFR 1904 for employee coronavirus illnesses for all employers.
 
Here's Looking at You
Thank you to everyone who came out to play in and support our annual AIA/AGC Champions Golf Tournament on October 5, 2020. Under blue skies, our AGC champions played on both Jackrabbit and Cypress Creek courses and raised $10,000 for the ACE Mentor Houston program. A favorite event for our longtime golfing members, the courses were designed Champions Golf Club by founders Jackie Burke Jr. who celebrated his 97th birthday this year!
 
Check out the list of winners ans sponsors here. View tournament photos here.
 
 

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