Update on AGC's Legislative Priorities
In January, AGC announced its new legislative priorities for the next two years which focus on increasing investment in highway and transit improvements, expanding infrastructure investment to promote economic growth and making tax cuts permanent. 

After the first six months of 2005, this is where the construction industry’s legislative priorities stand: 

Expanding infrastructure investment to promote economic growth—The House has passed all 11 appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2006, which begins in October.  These bills would boost federal spending for construction by seven percent over FY 2005 levels; AGC will work to press the Senate and the Bush administration to agree to adequate increases for infrastructure spending.

Protecting and building on the successes of TEA-21 and AIR-21—A Conference Committee, made up of representatives from the House and Senate, is meeting to negotiate a final TEA-21 reauthorization bill and work is beginning at the Committee level on AIR-21 reauthorization.

Supporting expansion of federal drinking water and wastewater funding—AGC will urge House and Senate Conferees to adopt the Senate passed version of the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations bill which would fund the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund at $1.1 billion as opposed to the $850 million House passed figure.

Supporting water resources navigation and flood control funding—AGC has been instrumental in advocating reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) as both House and Senate Committees have reported their respective bills from Committee. Additionally, the House and Senate have both increased funding for Civil Works program upwards of $1 billion over the Bush administration’s budget request.

Meeting America’s school construction needs—AGC is working with Congress on several bills that have been introduced to address school construction needs.

Making Tax Cuts permanent—AGC is continuing to work to see that the 2001-2002 tax cuts are made permanent, including the full repeal of the death tax, which has passed the House.  It is expected that the Senate will vote on the bill this summer.

Supporting changes to tax policies that promote investment, business development and business expansion—AGC has been working with the Senate Finance Committee, House Ways and Means members, and the IRS to repeal the lookback interest calculations for contracts under three years.  AGC is also working to ensure pension plans remain affordable and secure for retirees and the employers who contribute on their behalf.

Supporting legislation to increase the availability of health insurance such as association health plans and malpractice insurance reform— AGC is lobbying for legislation that would allow associations the opportunity to provide health care coverage through association health plans which would result in more employers being able to offer health insurance.
   
Preserving justice and due process for constructors facing litigation—AGC played an important role in supporting the Class Action Reform Act which was signed into law in February and continues to track Asbestos Reform, currently being discussed in the Senate.

Providing construction expertise to support homeland security—AGC is providing information on critical infrastructure protection through regular communication with the Homeland Security Committees in the Congress and through its activities with The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP).

Responding to the workforce needs to the industry with effective immigration reform—Immigration reform legislation, which includes some elements that AGC supports, has been introduced in both the House and Senate.

For more information, contact Jeff Shoaf at (202) 547-3350 or shoafj@agc.org.
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