|
Oct 9 2009 Weekly Update October 6, 2009 
Visit the WTBA - Weekly Update Archives  Printer-friendly newsletter  Newsletter Archives  www.wtba.org |
"Truth in State Contracting Act" Unveiled State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) this week began seeking co-sponsors for a "Truth in State Contracting Act" that she says will "improve state government outsourcing practices and save taxpayers money." Key provisions of the bill: -- Require agencies to abide by the results of their cost-benefit analyses and use whoever (state staff vs. consultants) is most cost-effective in performing quality work. -- Require state agencies to report each biennium on their use of consultants. -- Require the Department of Administration to approve any cost overrun of more than 10%. -- Fine contractors $5,000 to $10,000 in addition to tripling monetary damages for filing false claims. Read Sen. Lassa's release. The initiative follows last week's hearing by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on WisDOT's use of consultants for construction engineering, however, it has been in the development stage for months. As a member of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, Sen. Lassa authored the motion that resulted in an additional 25 authorized state positions to expedite the state highway project delivery process.
Register Today for WTBA Fall Meeting Please make plans today to attend the Tuesday, Oct. 27, WTBA Fall Meeting to learn about these important topics: -- The 2009 quantities and outlook for next year's construction season. -- Potential impact of national health care reform proposals on your business. -- Discussion of a recent lawsuit against a SE Wisconsin project that could impact future projects in the state. -- A look at the candidates and issues surrounding the 2010 gubernatorial election. -- A proposed blueprint for Wisconsin's economic future. Cost of the meeting is $75 per participant. Please plan to join your colleagues for a discussion of the issues that will impact our industry in the year ahead. Registration form.
WTBA Prevailing Wage Workshop WTBA is sponsoring a prevailing wage workshop from 1-5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, to assist contractors in their understanding of the law, discuss WisDOT's current enforcement practices, and consider ways the industry can more effectively engage WisDOT and receive timely answers and clarification on prevailing wage issues. The meeting is being held at the Madison Marriott West, also the site of the next day's WTBA Fall Meeting. There is no cost to attend. Those interested in attending are asked to contact phackett@wtba.org with the number of registrants by the end of business today.
WTBA Scholarship Deadline Extended The deadline for the WTBA Scholarship Program has been extended by an additional week -- until Thursday, Oct. 22. WTBA offers $2,000 scholarships to engineering students at UW-Platteville, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Stout, UW-Madison, Marquette University and Michigan Tech (must be Wisconsin resident). In addition, $750 scholarships are offered to students enrolled in engineering technician programs at various technical colleges throughout the state. If you know of students who would benefit from these scholarships, please encourage them to apply. Engineering Scholarship (Wisconsin schools) Engineering Scholarship (Michigan Tech) Engineering Technician Scholarship
U.S. Business Groups Endorse Revenue Increase Four prominent national business groups have endorsed additional revenue to fund a "robust, reformed and more accountable" surface transportation reauthorization bill. The open letter to President Obama and Congress from AAA, the American Trucking Assn., National Assn. of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reads in part: "Our organizations believe Congress must address revenue shortfalls in order to finance our nation's transportation system at robust levels and we are willing to support revenue approaches, including increases in federal gasoline and diesel taxes, in order to provide the necessary funding to meet critical transportation needs." Read full letter. Congress has extended the current reauthorization bill, SAFETEA-LU, until the end of October.
States Line Up For High-Speed Rail Funding Wisconsin last week filed its application with the federal government to build a $651.8 million high-speed passenger rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. Read release. States are vying for $8 billion in passenger rail funding included in the federal stimulus bill. In fact, 40 states have submitted 272 applications for high-speed rail grants, totaling $105 billion in projects. While Wisconsin backers are confident in their chances of competing for this funding, California is a formidable opponent. Its application seeks $4.7 billion -- more than half of the available stimulus funds -- and its voters approved a $10 billion bond measure for high-speed service that guarantees the federal government that its investment will be matched dollar for dollar. Read story.
STEM Conference in Milwaukee Oct. 20-21 The Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee (STEM) are holding its 6th annual sysSTEMnow Conference Oct. 20-21 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The conference is a forum for promoting science, technology, engineering and math partnerships between K-12 education, higher education and the STEM workforce. Click here for registration information.
Welcome, New Member! At its meeting on Tuesday, the WTBA Board of Directors welcomed a new Associate Member: Quarles & Brady LLP Atty. Kevin Long Chair, Construction & Real Estate Litigation 411 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202-4497 Ph: (414) 277-5163 E-mail: Kevin.Long@quarles.com
Upcoming Events Oct. 27, 2009: WTBA Fall Meeting, Madison Marriott West Registration Jan. 20-21, 2010: Contractor-Engineer Conference, Madison Marriott West Feb. 14-18, 2010: 2010 WTBA Convention, J.W. Marriott, Orlando, Fla. Hotel web site
Subscriptions Would you like to receive WTBA - Weekly Update newsletter by email? Subscribe Here Unsubscribe from WTBA - Weekly Update WTBA - Weekly Update 1 S. Pinckney Street Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703 608-256-6891 608-256-1670 wtba.update@wtba.org ©2010 ESE Magazine is a product and service of wisnet.com, LLC |
