Contractors visit State Capitol for AGC Lobby Day
AGC thanks the members who travelled to Olympia to support construction-industry issues in the Legislature on March 17. During AGC’s annual Lobby Day members visited legislators to talk to them face-to-face about transportation spending bid listing legislation and workers’ comp reform.
“Lobby Day is a vital component of AGC’s advocacy efforts” said AGC Chief Lobbyist Jerry VanderWood. “Nothing influences legislators more than direct contact with voters. We know it is a lot to ask of members to take a whole day from their businesses to come to Olympia but it really makes our jobs easier if legislators know that business leaders from their districts are keeping an eye on their actions. We appreciate all the members and AGC staff who attended.”
Top photo: Some of the AGC Lobby Day participants take a break outside the State Capitol. Pictured are Jake Jacobson (Osborne Construction) Frank Imhof (IMCO) Steve Isenhart (Tiger Construction) Ryan Olson (PCL Civil) Todd Kunzman (Andgar Corporation) Scott Isenhart (Tiger Construction) and Paul Mayo (Flatiron).
Middle photo: Ken Day (Ness Cranes) Steve Harding (Dragados) and AGC Southern District Manager Tim Attebery visit with Rep. Gael Tarleton.
Bottom photo: Ryan Olson (PCL Civil) Ian McFarland (University Mechanical) Paul Mayo (Flatiron) Brandon Dully (Guy F. Atkinson) and Bob Adams (Guy F. Atkinson) gather in AGC’s Olympia office before heading to the Capitol.
During the day participants divided into small groups and met with their representatives from around the state. The groups focused on these priority messages:
Transportation funding: Washington is nearing completion of construction of the transportation investments wisely made in the State over the last twelve years. These investments have improved our transportation system statewide. However the remaining needs in the transportation system are clear. Our preservation and maintenance accounts are woefully underfunded and new investments are needed to reduce congestion and spur economic activity. Legislators were asked to pass a comprehensive funding package this year.
Workers’ comp reform: Washington has a workers’ comp system that is one of the most expensive and administratively complex in the nation. The last major worker’s comp reforms took place in 2011. One of the largest cost-saving pieces of the 2011 reforms voluntary settlement agreements has fallen short of projected savings in large measure due to how restrictive it is. Currently only workers aged 53 or older can take advantage of voluntary structured settlements in lieu of a lifetime pension. Legislators were asked to support ESB 5513 to reduce the age to 40.
Additional bid listing requirements: Bill ESHB 1754 adds a requirement that the building envelope subcontractor be identified as part of the bid for public works construction projects a move that will raise the cost of taxpayer-funded projects. Adding a listing for Building Envelope subcontractors – perhaps more than 10 subs – would greatly add to the confusion of the bid assembly and place further time demands on a time critical process. Legislators were asked to oppose ESHB 1754.