AGC Members Must Continue to Press House of Representatives for Action The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee could meet as early as next week to mark up their version of a multiyear highway & transit bill. However, they have yet to make any formal announcement or release the bill. Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said this week that the committee is working to finalize the bill and determine a markup date.

Projecting the cash flow in and out of the Highway Trust Fund is a difficult task for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Department just released new estimates that indicate there may be a sufficient balance to allow highway and transit funding to continue without interruption until June 2016, six months beyond the previous estimate.

On Sept. 10, AGC participated in a business community roundtable discussion on the “Fair Pay and Safe Work Places” Executive Order– commonly referred to as the Blacklisting Executive Order – with Republican members of the House Small Business Committee. AGC General Counsel Mike Kennedy discussed the myriad legal and practical difficulties this executive order will present construction contractors when bidding and performing work on federal contracts.

Federal Contractors Again the Focus of Executive Action On Labor Day, President Obama signed an executive order that would mandate direct-federal prime contractors and subcontractors to issue paid sick leave. The executive order mandates paid sick leave at a rate of no less than 1 hour earned for every 30 hours worked, setting a minimum of 56 hours a year of paid sick leave—about seven days—covering not only employee illness, but also caring for a child, parent, spouse, domestic partner “or any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.”

Register by Sept. 15 and Save $80 Jointly sponsored by AGC and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), the 19th Annual AGC/CFMA Construction Financial Management Conference will be held Nov. 4-6, 2015 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev. This three-day conference offers programs and workshops designed specifically for financial professionals in the construction industry. The 32 interactive sessions will cover the latest industry issues and their financial implications.

Co-Located with the International Construction & Utility Equipment Expo AGC will host its first ever Utility Infrastructure Conference, Sept. 29–Oct. 1 in Louisville, Kentucky. Join other contractors, owners and key industry constituents involved in every aspect of utility infrastructure construction for high-quality education sessions, the premier utility construction equipment expo, and networking opportunities.

Take Advantage Before It’s Too Late! Get up-to-date information on a variety of issues that will impact the highway and transportation construction markets over the next year. The 2015 AGC Highway Contractors Conference will be held Nov. 5-7, 2015, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.

Rumors are swirling this week at the prospect of Vice President Joe Biden entering the presidential fray following a not-so-secret weekend meeting with progressive darling Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). The president’s spokesman added to the speculation by heaping praise on Mr. Biden and added, “I wouldn't rule out the possibility of an endorsement in the Democratic primary.”

Tell Him/Her to Finish Work on Highway & Transit Bill The Senate completed action on a six-year transportation reauthorization bill before the August recess. The House has indicated that it will work on its version of a long-term highway & transit bill when members return to Washington after Labor Day. With one week left in the August recess, it is important that you meet with your Congressman and stress the importance of passing a long-term, fully funded transportation bill.

This week, the Congressional Budget Office released its semiannual update of budgetary and economic projections. The report further highlights the challenges facing Congress as they try to fill the revenue gap in the Highway Trust Fund to provide a six-year highway & transit bill.