Minnesota Legislature Passes Historical $1.8 Billion Public Construction Bill
This week, the Minnesota Legislature passed a historic $1.87 billion public construction (bonding) bill. Governor Walz indicated that he will sign the bill into law in the coming days. This investment provides certainty for communities across the state and the construction industry as we navigate the current economic and health difficulties.
The bill passed in the legislature’s fifth special session on a strong bipartisan vote of 100 to 34 in the House and 64 to 3 in the Senate. Transportation received significant funding with over $300 million in trunk highway bonding, $170 million for local road projects, $84 million for State Road Construction, and $110 million for rail grade separations. The Public Facilities Authority, which helps local governments construct facilities for clean water, drinking water, and transportation infrastructure projects, received $269 million. The bill allocates $175 million to higher education institutions. The bill also contains tax code changes to conform to section 179 of the federal code and supplemental appropriations.
AGC of Minnesota collaborated with dozens of other organizations – labor, local government, business, engineers, architects, contractors, transit systems, rail advocates, environmental groups and other community organizations – urging the state to invest in needed infrastructure improvements, support the construction industry, and bolster the economy. Collectively, AGC members and our partners made thousands of contacts to elected officials over the course of this year. Your voice, advocacy, and our collective power make a difference. Thank you!
After months of stalemate over a bonding bill, we are grateful to legislators for getting the job done. Yesterday we issued a joint statement with several of our industry partners, recognizing legislators and industry members for their hard work on this issue. Capital Investment Chairs Senator Dave Senjem and Representative Mary Murphy deserve praise for their work and persistence. We appreciate efforts by Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, Representative Dean Urdahl, and Senator Sandy Pappas to pull together a strong funding bill with bipartisan support.
Upcoming Webinar
Details will be coming soon for a webinar in which we'll discuss the funding and policy details in the bonding bill. Members will also hear from special guests of AGC and have opportunities to ask questions.
|
|
VIRTUAL Lean Construction Series Starts October 27 - Register Soon!
The Lean Construction Series is finally available in Minnesota this fall! Held for short periods three days per week from October 27-December 11, the series follows a schedule created with busy professionals in mind.
Our pilot series this fall will be a smaller cohort (maximum 14 participants), and will be offered at a significant discount. All sessions will be held via Zoom.
This AGC certificate program consists of seven units. Following the completion of all seven units, individuals will have a deep knowledge of both the theory and application of Lean Construction. Additionally, participants will be prepared to sit for the exam to earn AGC's Certificate of Management - Lean Construction (CM-Lean) credential. This course is designed for participants at all experience levels with Lean, including beginners.
A subsequent CM-Lean cohort will begin in January, 2021.
|
|
STP Registration Open for November
AGC is offering two Supervisory Training Program units for the November/December quarter. Click the links below to register:
|
|
AGC Awards Recognition Week: November 17-19
Every fall, we take time to recognize individuals and companies who have excelled in various categories. Our Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award and Lifetime Achievement Award are presented to individuals who exemplify commitment to personal excellence and to the construction industry.
Our Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Awards and CHASE Awards are given to companies who have excelled in the area of health and safety on their jobsites and through participation in the Construction Health And Safety Excellence (CHASE) program in the past year.
Due to AGC's commitment to safety, this year's recognition will take place virtually, spread over several days, as we take time to honor these deserving individuals and companies. Look for more information to come regarding a live kick-off event on Tuesday, November 17, and for videos released during that week highlighting each of the award recipients!
|
|
 |
Winner of the 2020
Skill-Responsibility-Integrity
(SRI) Award:
Dale Forsberg,
Watson-Forsberg Co.
|
|
|
|
Winner of the 2020
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Mark Ryan,
Carl Bolander & Sons Co.
|
|
|
|
RESCHEDULED Transportation Forums with Candidates
With the Special Session of the legislature taking place this past week, we have changed the date for two of our Transportation Regional Forums.
Thursday, October 22nd
12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM
12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM
12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM *No change in date
These online forums provide an important opportunity to make transportation a campaign issue, to educate future lawmakers and to start the discussion about funding needed projects. Please add your voice to the discussion!
To register, click on the appropriate city name above.
These virtual events are cohosted by AGC of MN, MN Transportation Alliance, American Council of Engineering Companies of MN, and MN Public Transit Association.
|
|
More Input Requested for the 2020 AGC Industry Assessment
Thank you to the 52 firms who have already responded to the 2020 Industry Assessment Survey! If you have not yet responded, would you please take 15 minutes to give us your input on observations on and expectations for the Minnesota construction marketplace? We have added a few new questions this year related to COVID-19 in order to get an accurate view of the impact the pandemic has had on your firm and the industry.
Survey links have been emailed to all AGC member primary contacts, as well as our engineer and architect colleagues, and AWC members. If you have not yet received your link, please contact Renee Horsman.
The survey will close on October 30, 2020. One response per firm, please.
|
|
How prepared is your company for recovery?
As governments begin to reopen economies and construction contractors continue to navigate what's next, it's more important than ever to start thinking about recovery planning. The pandemic has taken a toll on companies as they navigate delayed projects, plan for heavy workload upon the economy reopening and ensure worker and client safety. Companies with a focused and prepared strategy will have the best chance of surviving this crisis. Learn more
|
|
Hennepin County Issues Notice to All Contractors on
Constructability Review
Project: West Broadway Avenue Bridges (County Road 81) Reconstruction in Minneapolis and Robbinsdale
Hennepin County will be conducting one-on-one constructability reviews with prime and/or bridge contractors interested providing input into the development of this project. Items to be discussed at the constructability review include: construction access, schedule, staging and risk mitigation.
The meetings will be conducted electronically (Microsoft Teams) the week of October 26th. If interested, contact Tony Schrempp, Senior Professional Engineer, at [email protected] or 612- 596-0397 to schedule a meeting.
Additional information can be found here. |
|
Your Trusted Resource
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 | St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
