ACEC OKLAHOMA: THE FIRST WORD 7/27/22
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ACEC OKLAHOMA members, I hope everyone had a great July 4th holiday and found a way to escape the record setting heat we have been experiencing this long hot miserable July. We have been diligently working behind the scenes on our upcoming General membership meeting in Tulsa on August 24th - details and sign up is below. We have also been putting together the Annual ODOT/ACEC Partnering Conference for September 8th reception and conference September 9th in Oklahoma City. Sign up for ACEC members and ODOT officials will be coming out soon. Non-members will have an opportunity at a later date.
As a reminder, run-off elections for U.S. Senate, Labor Commissioner, Treasurer, Corporation Commissioner, U.S. Congress (CD-2) and multiple state house and senate races will appear on the ballot August 23.
The legislature continues with a special session for ARTBA approved funding. The Governor had called a special session for "inflation relief" which are tax cuts to groceries and the state income tax. The House of Representatives passed series of bills with tax cuts and the Senate has called it political theater and said they are reviewing what the House passed. The House and Senate has approved interim studies for each body respectively. They must be concluded by November 4th. September 29th, the House Transportation Committee OTA Study, will be holding a hearing on: Reviewing the Current Procedures and Design of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority by Rep. Sterling. Senator Bergstrom has an approved interim Study called-Oklahoma Turnpike Authority: What it is and what it is not. The Senate Transportation Chairman has not yet scheduled a hearing. We will be monitoring these studies very closely.
-Mike Thompson- President & CEO
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August General Membership Meeting
SIGN UP!!! Our August General Membership Meeting will take place at Terracon in Tulsa at 11:45 AM, August 24th. You can RSVP to attend here. To cover the cost of lunch the cost will be $35 for members. We need to have great attendance for our speaker, and we will have many updates for future ACEC events.
Brent Kisling, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, will discuss all of the new and exciting projects in and coming to Oklahoma. You can read Brent's bio here.
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Intern State Capitol Tour
At ACEC OKLAHOMA, we've been able to continue what is becoming a tradition in the Summer, the ACEC OKLAHOMA Intern tour of the renovated State Capitol. Our 20 attendees were able to receive a guided tour from the project manager, Trait Thompson. Additionally, they were able to visit one-on-one with one of our legislative champions, Representative Ryan Martinez.
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NAPA/APA Webinar
NAPA and APA are offering a free webinar for structural and geotechnical engineers dealing with the structural design of private market asphalt pavements. Tim Murphy of Murphy Pavement Technology, Inc. is the speaker. The event will take place on Aug. 4 at 2pm EST. You can register here.
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OEF Launches New Website
The Oklahoma Engineering Foundation has launched a new website showcasing its flagship programs, MATHCOUNTS Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Engineering Fair and the Oklahoma Engineering Scholarship. The new site also features a blog, merch store and free engineering job board. Check it out at https://oef.org. If you have a job posting you’d like to publicize, email jobs@oef.org. If you have an engineering-related news release or event you’d like considered for publication on the OEF blog, please email jennifer@oef.org.
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ACEC National Update
PPP: Update-The US House has once again adopted ACEC’s PPP amendment as part of a larger package of amendments to the FY’23 National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA. Further consideration and a final vote on NDAA is expected this week. As you may recall, the House took similar action late last year, and we’re pleased to see the continuing and bipartisan support this issue is receiving in the House. Our challenge continues to remain in the Senate. We will keep you posted on any actions items we may need to address. www.acec.org
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Jenny Sallee Wins PAC Sweepstakes
In an unprecedented three-peat, an ACEC OKLAHOMA member has won yet another national PAC sweepstakes.
Congratulations to Jenny Sallee on her $1,000 winning. Remember, our state and local PAC always need donations, and unlike gambling, you always come out ahead via supporting good candidates for office, winning a sweepstakes or both.
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Save the Date(s)
ACEC National Summer Coalition Meeting
August 3-4 Hilton Salt Lake City, UT
August 24th Board and General Membership Meeting
Terracon, 9522 E. 47th Pl, Unit D
Tulsa OK 74145
ACEC/ODOT Partnering Conference
September 8-9, OKC
ACEC Fall Conference
October 16-19 Colorado Spring, CO
Other ACEC OKLAHOMA important dates:
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Mike Thompson
President & CEO
220 N.E. 28th Street, Suite 135
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
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Phone: (405) 525-7696
Cell: (405) 819-4790
Fax: (405) 557-1820
Email: mike.thompson@acecok.org
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