This past week was a big one for ACEC. By all accounts, the annual Legislative Visit Day at the Capitol went exceedingly well. ACEC members (over 80) spent last Wednesday (March 25) visiting our legislators or their staff, making it known to those at the Capitol what issues face the Engineering/Survey firms across the State. Luncheon speakers included Senator Anthony Cannella, the only civil engineer in the state legislature, and Steve Hall, the Vice President of Government Affairs for ACEC National.
Following the meetings, a reception was held downtown with Governor Brown attending. The Governor could be seen mingling and chatting with numerous ACEC members for a couple of hours during the reception. Kudos to the ACEC-CA members and staff that helped promote, organize, and pull off one of the most successful Leg Visit Days in years!
The morning after Leg Visit Day the ACEC-CA Board of Directors met at the Hyatt Regency where AB 401 was discussed in great detail. In the end, the Board made the decision to not appeal the AB401 decision handed down in January by a Superior Court Judge. Clearly, it was a difficult decision, but many members felt it was in ACEC-CA’s best interest to not appeal. Contact any of the Sierra Chapter State Directors (Steve Greenfield, Ted Hopkins, Ed Henderson, or myself) to get filled in on the details of the meeting.
During the ACEC-CA Board meeting, a call to action was also discussed. ACEC members are encouraged to mail letters of support to the legislature for two bills related to public-private partnerships (P3). The two bills, Assembly Bill 227 (Alejo) and AB 1265 (Perea) both extend P3 authority in California. ACEC-CA is strongly in favor of the bills; please show your support by mailing letters of support. Click here for a sample letter for AB 227 (Alejo). Click here for a sample letter for AB 1265 (Perea).
Don’t forget to come to the lunch meeting on April 17, followed by golf! Since it no longer rains in California, weather is guaranteed to be perfect in Roseville for a round of 18…..
Cheers,
Tom
