July 22, 2009.
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Thank you to corporate sponsor Harry A. Koch!

Announcing Fall Conference

Registration is now open for Fall Conference to be held on September 24-25, 2009 in Lincoln.  The event will be held at the newly remodeled Holiday Inn in the Haymarket area. 

“A New Strategy for the Construction Industry” will be the two-part program for conference this year.  International construction consultant, Ted Garrison will present the seminar on how to increase productivity by using the principles of Lean construction. 

Throughout the next weeks more information on Lean Construction will be included in the E-Update to help set the stage for the seminar.  Lean Construction is cutting edge; a team management/cultural shift process for the way you do business.

Other highlights of Conference:
     Governor Heineman will be joining us for breakfast on Friday morning
     The Social Event and Dinner will take place on Thursday evening
     The Progressive Charity Raffle will take the place of the Live Auction after dinner
     $99.00 room rate that may be extended through the football weekend (Act fast on this)
     Much lower cost for Social and Dinner on Thursday-$39.00 per person

(Click here for details and registration)

 

Annual Education Fund Raising Event

The Progressive Charity Raffle is underway selling tickets between now and September 15th.  Click here to find out how to purchase tickets today.                                    

 
We Are Still Looking For Volunteers

to help with the Construction Learning Center at the Nebraska State Fair, August 28th to September 7th.  (Click here to learn more or to volunteer)

 

Free Webinar Tomorrow

Don’t forget!

2009 Market Insights Series - Free Webinar July 23
“Turning Points in Construction” - July 23, 2009 - 2:00-3:30pm (EDT)
 
The 2009 Market Insights Series, presented by Reed Construction Data, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a free quarterly webcast series delivering the most up-to-date information on current and forecasted construction activity.

Join expert economists Jim Haughey, Ken Simonson and Kermit Baker for “Turning Points in Construction,” a free 90-min. webcast focused on the key factors affecting the recovery of the construction industry. Register here!

 
FYI from AGC of America

The AGC of America has suspended funding for the National Student Competition.  Due to budget limitations, AGC has decided to suspend its sponsorship of the NSC that they had previously conducted with the Associated Schools of Construction.  AGCA’s sponsorship of the national program cost a minimum of $180,000 per year. 

 
Cap and Trade Legislation

From AGCA working for you in DC:

House Narrowly Passes Climate Change Measure, Sends Bill to Senate

At the end of June, the U.S. House passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, by a vote of 219 to 212 (8 Republicans supported the bill, and 44 Democrats voted against it).  While elements of the legislation could create jobs by inducing demand for energy efficiency improvements to buildings and alternative energy generation, no one is certain of the true impact on the economy.  AGC believes that the bill goes too far too fast and that Congress has not adequately mitigated the impacts. Read Full Article Here...

AGC urges all members and Chapters to weigh in with their Senators and urge them to oppose the House bill as written.  For more information and to send a letter to your Senators, please use AGC's Legislative Action Center.  

 
Card Check/"Employee Free Choice" Act Update

Action Needed
  
On July 17th  the New York Times reported on a potential compromise on the “so-called” Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The real story behind the story is that one unnamed Senator among six that are working on a compromise leaked to the New York Times that they will likely drop the card-check portion of the EFCA bill with the blessing of some union leaders. The article also talks about some of the other areas that the Senators may be including in their compromise, but that no deal has been struck with the undecided Senators who control the outcome of this debate. Read Full Article Here...

This does serve as a reminder that all Members of Congress, especially Senators, need to be contacted by AGC members. Top target states are: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Virginia. Please send letters in opposition to EFCA by using the AGC Legislative Action Center. Click here to send a letter.

 
If there are other people in your company who would like to receive this E-Update, please send their e-mail address to agcnebuilders@windstream.net or call (402) 438-0400.