Inside AGC — May/June 2005

Advancing Legislative Priorities For the 109th Congress

AGC continues to pursue an ambitious legislative agenda this year, including more funding for highways and infrastructure

Earlier this year, AGC outlined ambitious legislative priorities for the 109th Congress, including expansion of infrastructure investments, support for permanent tax cuts and changes to tax policies that enhance business development, and expansion and support for legislation that will make health insurance more readily available. AGC remains focused on championing the issues of the construction industry, and what follows are some examples of the progress that has been made.

The Senate Approves SAFETEA

The Senate approved the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (SAFETEA) on May 12. AGC members actively pushed the legislation, which authorizes spending about $295 billion in funding, and urging changes such as removing insurance requirements for subcontractors and removing streamlined debarment process for highway contractors. AGC also is working to streamline the environmental permitting process and enhance focus on improving highway work zone safety, including increased funding for the program. In late April, AGC members participated in an industry fly-in to lobby for passage of the reauthorization.

In addition, AGC members helped the adoption of the Talent (R-Mo.), Thune (R-S.D.), Stabenow (D-Mich.), Wyden (D-Ore.) amendment by a vote of 81-19 to the budget resolution, which provides flexibility in the budget resolution for additional highway spending if funding can be increased as the bill goes through the process.

Highway Reauthorization Moving Forward

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU) by a vote of 417-9 on March 10. The bill, supported by AGC, funds highway and transit programs at $284 billion over six years and includes important changes such as the streamlining of environmental permitting laws and improving work zone safety.

AGC Supports Protection of Army Corps of Engineers Funding

AGC members were upset at the prospect of the president's budget eliminating funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects around the country and they became even more alarmed when a House committee tried to limit the ability of the USACE to keep multiyear projects moving. AGC members have launched a lobbying campaign to educate congressional leaders on the problems caused by this policy change.

Making Tax Cuts Permanent

A top AGC legislative priority for the last several years has been the elimination of the death tax. AGC members have lobbied their representatives in Washington, D.C., and their home districts. In April, the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of H.R. 8, legislation to permanently eliminate the death tax for all taxpayers, a move that will grow businesses and increase jobs throughout the construction industry.

We are hopeful that the Senate will also soon vote to repeal the death tax and we will continue to make this a priority. Please join the fight and urge your members of Congress to support this important legislation by logging onto the AGC Legislative Action Center at www.agc.org/lac.

Increasing Health Insurance Availability for AGC Members

AGC is working to pass legislation to increase the availability of health insurance. The legislation, introduced in the House (H.R. 525) and in the Senate (S. 406), would create the National Association Health Plan.

AGC Working with EPA on Diesel Retrofit Policy

AGC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced findings on a collaborative effort to influence future government policy on diesel engine retrofit. The report examines alternatives to government mandates for diesel retrofit from the contractors' perspective.

EPA's Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program is looking for ways to cut emissions from in-use equipment by crafting incentives that will appeal to the construction industry. The report's initial findings seek to balance the construction industry's economic and business concerns with the nation's goals for clean air. For a copy of the report, visit AGC's environmental homepage under "Hot Topics" at www.constructionenvironment.org.