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| CompGroup AGC offers workers' compensation coverage exclusively for commercial construction contractors and sub-contractors. Through our partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state's leading writer of workers' compensation insurance, CompGroup AGC is able to offer competitive rates, responsive customer service, expert claim handling and extensive loss prevention training and safety programs. |
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UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
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Confined Space Awareness - September 1 (FULL)
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TBB CONVENTION & LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
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- Texas contractors will see more than $3 billion in bids for construction projects at public universities over the next two years under the state Legislature's approved budget. The tuition revenue bond (TRB) funding came at a crucial time, as state colleges have been searching for funding to squeeze increasing enrollments into aging facilities. Legislators have not approved such a deal since 2006 when $1.9 billion was bonded, though they came close last session only to see the measure fail at the last minute. Only about $5 billion in TRB funding has been authorized since the practice began in the 1970's.
- Texas is poised to see roughly $1.7 billion in the construction of new buildings and repair of aging structures over the next two years. The lion's share of construction funding is contained in the budget for the Facilities Commission, which was granted $1.34 billion in its total budget for the next two fiscal years. That figure is a more than 600-percent boost from its current budget of $187.9 million. About $160 million of that funding could be in jeopardy since the governor vetoed funding for three state projects, however, the validity of those vetoes is being contested by leaders in the Legislature. Most of the Facilities Commission funding (via revenue bonds) - $983.6 million - is set aside for construction of new state buildings. The rest of the funding - about $217 million - is dedicated for health and safety and deferred maintenance projects at state facilities, along with an additional roughly $20 million for emergency repairs in the current budget.
- Also, the legislature agreed on a 25 percent across-the board cut to the franchise tax that will save Texas businesses more than $2 billion over the next two years and allow more businesses to use a simplified method of computing what they owe under the tax. The bill raises the revenue threshold on the flat-rate portion of the tax from $10 million to $20 million, meaning businesses with revenue levels over $1 million and up to $20 million can claim a lower tax rate of 0.331 percent. Businesses with revenue under $1 million will still avoid the tax altogether.
Additional educational presentations during the Convention focused on
lien law reform and
construction defect statutes. Those presentations along a list of
safety award and
outstanding construction award winners are all
available on the TBB website here.
Next year's annual gathering of Texas AGC building construction industry will take place in June at the
Horseshoe Bay Resort.
For more information about the convention, contact
Phil Thoden.
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STATE REPRESENTATIVES/AGC MEMBERS
ANNOUNCE REELECTION PLANS
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(l to r) TBB Chair Mike Lippincott, Representative Paul Workman, TBB Lobbyist Corbin Van Arsdale and Representative John Cyrier
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The Austin AGC and the AGC TBB are proud that both Paul and John are contractors who have also been active members of AGC here in Texas. Both have established themselves as thoughtful legislators with plenty of experience about how small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity. For those reasons and others, the
AGC TBB is proud to strongly support the reelection efforts of both candidates to the Texas House of Representatives. We are confident both Paul and John will continue making good decisions on behalf of Texas.
Through the collective efforts of Texas contractors from around the State, the AGC TBB has been able to strongly support both of these candidates. Those of you who contributed to the Austin AGC PAC in 2014 helped raise over $10,000 in local funds to support Representatives and Senators like Paul and John in the State Legislature who support our construction industry. We hope many more of you will support our PAC fundraising efforts in 2015.
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CITY COUNCIL EXTENDS TEMPORARY CONCRETE POUR RULES, FINAL RULES EXPECTED SOON
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In June the Austin City Council opted to extend through September the current, temporary rules governing concrete pour activity in downtown. A final ruling is expected in September.
AGC staff, member companies and industry allies have been meeting with City Council members and staff to educate them about the impacts of concrete pour restrictions on both industry and the 125,00+ people who come downtown to work and play each day.
AGC is concerned that the City Council may opt to set unrealistic noise levels for concrete pours such as 75 decibels after 7pm and 65 decibels after 10:30pm. Meanwhile, a variety of routine noises downtown far exceed those levels. Some of these noises (such as trains, music and motorcycles) even exceed 85 decibels as noted in a video recording recently made by AGC and available here.
For more information, contact Phil Thoden at the Austin AGC.
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CLC LAW FORUM
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Ever wondered or worried about how the law impacts you, your company and your projects?
Ever felt frustrated that you are never really given that information until after the problem or dispute has occurred?
Join us for the CLC Law Forum on September 10, 2015 where we will be addressing the common and major tips, tricks, and pitfalls in construction law and employment law that impact YOU.
We will have a construction lawyer and an employment lawyer on the panel to give insights into understanding, allocating, assessing and controlling the many risks involved with construction. Refreshments provided!
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CONFINED SPACE AWARENESS
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The new confined spaces in construction standard is similar in content and organization to the general industry confined spaces standard, but also incorporates several provisions from the proposed rule to address construction-specific hazards, accounts for advancements in technology, and incorporates letters of interpretation issued for the general industry standard.
The Confined Space Awareness class on September 1 from 8:00am to 12 Noon is now full. Due to high demand, another class will soon be scheduled.
This class will concentrate on the requirements of the new Confined Spaces in Construction rule (Subpart AA, 29 CFR 1926) and the differences contractors must be aware of. Owners, superintendents, project managers, and estimators will benefit greatly from this information.
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CONSTRUCTION ECONOMIC UPDATE
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AGC of America Chief Economist, Ken Simonson was at the Chapter on July 21 to provide his annual economic update for commercial construction. Highlights:
Total construction spending: +6% to +10% per year
Weak SF housing, retail; flat public spending
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ew drivers: shale-based gas & oil; Panama Canal widening; more elderly & kids, fewer young adults
Materials costs: -1 to +3% (similar to CPI); rare spikes
Labor costs: +2.5% to + 5%
Labor supply: widespread shortages possible due to retirements, competition from other sectors, fewer vets
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AGC MEMBERS SAVE WITH FEDEX SHIPPING
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 AGC Members Get discounts of up to 29% and earn exclusive offers with FedEx Advantage® program.
When you enroll in the FedEx Advantage program, discounts are automatically applied to your FedEx account:
Up to 29% off select FedEx Express® U.S. shipping
Up to 25% off select FedEx Express international shipping
Up to 20% off select FedEx Ground® shipping
Up to 70% off select FedEx Freight® shipments
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BUILDING INFORMATION in AGC BULLETIN
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Did you know that the Austin Chapter AGC publishes a weekly news bulletin with information about currently bidding and recently awarded construction projects?
This important information is available to all chapter members and is an excellent source of local job information whether your company is a GC, Specialty Contractor, Supplier or Service Provider.
Chapter members can access this information each week
on our website here
by using your username and password. Contact
Toni Osberry
if you need your username/password.
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CONSTRUCTION RESUMES and JOB LISTINGS
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AGC Chapters around Texas have formed a partner website called texasconstructioncareers.com to help you find employment or an employee. Check out the job bank page to post your resume or review potential hires.
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