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I hope you and your families enjoyed a pleasant Thanksgiving! As we push out 2020, there are a few things still left for the association to do. We are launching the first virtual business forum in December. This is the opportunity for you and your staff to receive high quality programming at affordable rates. Don't delay in signing up. Time is running out!
We are also selling tickets to an awesome fishing excursion to raise funds for our federal PAC. PLEASE consider supporting this worthy cause. We are almost to our goal with just a few more tickets to sell!! If you act fast you won't have to hear from me about this again. I promise.
Finally, during the Fall Conference ACECL issued its 2019-2020 Annual Report. Behind these numbers is a lot of hard work by the board, the staff and YOU - the invaluable members of ACECL! It's a snapshot because I know you appreciate brevity. You're welcome.
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Also in this edition:
- November Board of Governors Meeting
- 2020 Fall Conference Highlights
- PPP News
- 2020 Virtual Business Forum
- Infrastructure News
- PAC Fundraiser
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ACECL BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING |
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The ACEC of Louisiana Board Meeting was held November 6, 2020. The next meeting will be held December 17, 2020 |
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2020 FALL CONFERENCE
Thank you to all ACECL members who attended the 2020 Fall Conference! It was not an easy decision due to so much uncertainty with COVID restrictions, but the stars aligned and we were able to pull off an in-person event following social distancing protocols. Our gracious speakers were informative and engaging and conference attendance exceeded previous records!
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Sergio Girau, PE, Linfield, Hunter & Junius accepts the 2020 A.E. Wilder Award for extraordinary contributions of integrity and service to ACEC of Louisiana and the engineering community. |
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The 2020 Robby Cangelosi Award was presented to Brian Moldaner, PE, MBA, T. Baker Smith, LLC for contributions by a young professional engineer to the engineering profession and positively impacting their community. |
Steve LaChute, COO, accepts the 2020 QBS Award on behalf of Jefferson Parish. |
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FP&C posted the final rule relative to Designer Contracts. Efforts move next to the planned update of the FP&C Procedure Manual.
Click here to view final rule.
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THE PPP GIVETH AND TAKETH AWAY |
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On November 18 the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2020-51 and Revenue Ruling 2020-27 to provide additional guidance regarding the treatment of expenses covered by PPP loan forgiveness. The guidance reiterates the IRS position that expenses covered by loan forgiveness are not tax deductible. It also addresses deductibility of expenses covered by PPP loans that receive partial loan forgiveness or are denied loan forgiveness. In addition, the guidance addresses situations where a decision on loan forgiveness is not expected until 2021.
The guidance confirms that we should not expect Treasury and IRS to change course on the question of PPP expenses deductibility, and we need a legislative fix. ACEC will continue pushing Congress to clarify that expenses covered by PPP loan forgiveness are tax deductible.
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL BUSINESS FORUM |
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
EARN UP TO 4 PDH HOURS
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December 3
11:00 – 12:00 CST
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The Contrarian’s Guide to Writing Standout Proposals
Presenter: Mel Lester, BizEdge
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December 10
11:00 – 12:00 CST
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The Emerging Business Development Model for 2021 and Beyond
Presenter: Mel Lester, BizEdge
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December 7
11:00 – 12:00 CST
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Risk & Reward: Understanding Risk Management as the Cornerstone for Growth
Presenters: Tripp McCormick, Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith Wyatt S. Sanders, Alexander & Sanders Insurance, a BXSI Company Michael Plaisance, Ampirical Solutions, LLC
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December 9
12:00 – 1:00 CST
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Recruiting and Onboarding in Today’s Environment
Presenters: Katy Young & David Schmidt, Matteson Partner
Denise Kasanicky, ApplicantPro
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COST: $69 per session or a discounted rate of $225 for the Four-Series Package
This is a great opportunity to include not only your principals but your professional support staff in ACEC programming.
A firm may register different individuals if buying the package.
Up to 4.0 PDH hours available for registered participants!
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THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS FORUM SPONSORS!! |
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At its annual membership meeting held November 11, LCFOR updated the members on the 2021 effort to increase the state's gas tax to generate revenue for infrastructure investment. The membership was introduced to Rep. Jack McFarland who will be the author of the 2021 legislation. Rep. McFarland is a Republican representative from Jonesboro, La. He is Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, senior member of the Appropriations Committee, former policy juryman and trucking business owner who buys $30k in fuel per week travelling the rural roads of Louisiana. He knows first hand the financial toll Louisiana's roads and bridges have on our economy.
He is personally committed to visiting with legislators across the state prior to the start of the 2021 regular session to generate support and listen to legislator concerns. LCFOR and its over 100 members will work with Rep. McFarland to generate both legislative and public support.
While we hoped for a 2020 special session dedicated to infrastructure, COVID 19 derailed those plans. However, 2021 is the year in which this must be done. This is an all-out effort and you will be called upon to help urge your local legislators to support. Talking points will be forthcoming to assist us in our advocacy work.
Here is a breakdown of the key points of the draft bill subject to edits before final filing next year:
Existing 16 cents:
- Preserving Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) current capital funds by shifting to the sub-fund dedicated to construction:
- Move existing 3 cents from TTF into sub-fund in 2021 and another 1 cent in 2025 for total of 4 cents
Newly generated funds:
60% preservation (existing roads and on/off system bridges)
40% capacity improvements
Reform
- New to the 2021 effort is a reform component to ensure that the existing tax revenue spent on the operations of the state DOT are efficiently spent:
- Requires the Louisiana Legislative Auditor assess DOT operational budget for efficiency and effectiveness and make recommendations to comply with a budget cap set at the 2025 funding levels.
- Mandates transparency in the expenditure of capital budget across the state.
- Creates a private sector audit review consisting of the Senate President, Speaker of the House and business leaders appointed by the Governor.
The Louisiana legislature convenes April 12, 2021.
We are still raising funds to underwrite this important effort. If you can support the effort, please reach out to Bryan Jones at bryan.jones@hntb.com.
Read recent article here.
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DOTD has issued another 24-201 form that adds explanation for completing Section 14.
Click here to access latest form
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Coastal Louisiana Levee Consortium Meeting
Thursday, December 10, 2020
State Capitol – House Committee Room 1
900 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
9:30 am
Click here to live stream meeting
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The ACEC Business Insurance Trust (BIT) oversees a program that provides business and professional liability insurance coverage for participating ACEC member firms. The program offers policyholders ACEC-exclusive tailored coverage along with broad policy terms and conditions.
Program coverage includes automobile liability and physical damage; workers' compensation; and the "Spectrum" package policy affording protection for buildings, business personal property, money and securities, business liability, equipment breakdown, drones, cyber security, computers and media. Catastrophe liability protection is available through umbrella coverage.
The business insurance plan underwriter is The Hartford. The plan administrator is Greyling, a division of EPIC.
Representative Contacts:
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Forterra is a leading manufacturer of pipe and precast products throughout the United States and Eastern Canada. Forterra builds resilient and sustainable infrastructure through strategically located facilities in the United States as well as in Mexico and Eastern Canada. Since setting our foundation in 1899, we have evolved dramatically in the areas of distribution, technology, and product development – not only to move water, but to employ its benefits for sustainable communities. We employ a specialized technical sales force, including engineers and field service representatives, which enables us to deliver a high degree of customer service and create tailored solutions. Forterra responsibly delivers industry-leading service, quality, and innovation with passion and commitment, as we pursue our mission to build the longest lasting foundations for our communities’ infrastructure, today and tomorrow. |
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Established in 1928 in Baton Rouge, Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. (“BSW”) is one of the oldest law firms in the state of Louisiana. We take great pride in our long history of client service. With more than 70 attorneys, the firm is among the largest firms in the state and one of the larger law firms in the South. BSW’s clients range from individuals and start-up companies, to Fortune 500 corporations, governmental entities and not-for-profit institutions.
Further, one of the hallmarks of the firm is its devotion to providing the highest quality of legal services to our clients in a manner consistent with their objectives and cost concerns and in a personalized environment that facilitates the mutual trust and respect necessary for a successful attorney-client relationship. The firm continually achieves this objective by implementing an integrated team approach. This team approach enables clients to call upon the guidance of any and all of our attorneys whose experience in various legal and business matters spans many disciplines. In this manner, we are able to provide our clients with specific and in-depth advice that they require in order to achieve their goals.
Steven B. Loeb
Breazeale Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P.
P.O. Box 3197
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3197
Tel: 225-381-8050; Cell: 225-933-7842
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NOLA DPW RFQ 736- 2020 DPW Engineering Pool
NOLA DPW recently cancelled the RFQ for the engineering pool. The explanation given for the cancellation was because they wanted to put Engineers into categories but the scoring sheet did not allow this. As an example: there could be a firm without bridge at the top and an environmental firm not even make the top 25. DPW will adjust the scoring sheet to add a check list so firms select which categories they want to be ranked scored in.
The RFQ will be reissued ASAP. If your prior packets reflected what category you wanted to be included in, then you can resubmit the same packet and just check the appropriate boxes on the check list.
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FISHING FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION
As the President and CEO of ACECL I am personally asking you to join me in
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CPRA receives $1m from RESTORE Council for Planning Efforts. Click here for announcement.
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- December 3 The Contrarian's Guide to Writing Standout Proposals Webinar
- December 7 Risk and Reward: Understanding Risk Management as the Cornerstone for Growth
- December 9 Recruiting and Onboarding in Today's Environment
- December 10 The Emerging Business Development Model for 2021 and Beyond
- December 10 Transportation Committee Meeting
- December 11 HR Council Meeting
- December 15 PAC Fishing Sweepstakes Drawing!
- December 17 Board of Governors Meeting
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Thank You to our 2020 Sponsors! |
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Doreen Brasseaux
President & CEO
ACEC of Louisiana
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