MOVING MOUNTAINS
Advocating for Our Industry
BY PETER TATEISHI A
s an essential industry foun- dational to California’s future, the construction industry must
ensure its voice is heard. For more than 100 years, AGC of California has been that voice on behalf of our members. Our col- lective voice represents every facet of the construction industry, and, together, we fight for our diverse and inclusive members to be heard – inside our industry and out. Tis issue ofCalifornia Constructor mag- azine focuses on how AGC of California uses our collective voice to advocate for our industry to the outside world. Con- struction is complex, and decision makers, whether elected or appointed, have little understanding or appreciation of the work you do. But there is power in numbers, and because of your membership (with more than 900 companies), AGC of California is able to elevate our collective thoughts and concerns and educate decision makers on the impacts of their policies and regulations. To that end, our industry needs to help elect candidates who support the con- struction industry and acknowledge the important role of the contractor. AGC of California’s political action committee (PAC) works hard to raise money that can help us in this endeavor. Unfortunately, the contractor community continues to be outspent by most industries across the state, including labor. If we want to make a real impact on the state’s future, we must advocate for, and financially support, better candidates. Tat is both a responsibility and a duty of every contractor in the state. Te PAC is your industry’s vehicle to make changes in the state legislature and at local, city and county governments. You can read
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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022
more about the PAC, its contribution to our industry, and how to support it in the feature article on page 10. AGC of California’s advocacy goes beyond elected officials and to the decision makers they appoint. This includes boards and commissions such as the Water Resources Board, which is currently pushing through a readoption of the Construction General Permit that, in its current form, will be det- rimental to the construction industry. AGC of California, with our partners, has been diligently working with the Department of Water Resources to provide comments and feedback on this permit. Unfortunately, these appointed officials are not addressing these concerns, and we stand ready to take this issue to litigation if a workable permit cannot be negotiated. AGC of California is committed to both protecting the environment in which we work while also advocating for workable regulations that allow efficient and effective work. A story on the new Construction Gen- eral Permit on page 14 details the confines of the new permit. Advocating for the construction indus-
try and your future is AGC of California’s constant endeavor. We welcome your par- ticipation in all our efforts, whether through the Legislative Committee, PAC, liaison meetings, Safety and Health Council, or other working groups so we can make our voice, our needs and our concerns heard throughout the state of California.
Published bi-monthly for members of the Associated General Contractors of California 3095 Beacon Boulevard West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 371-2422
www.agc-ca.org
PUBLISHER Al Rickard Association Vision (703) 402-9713
arickard@assocvision.com
www.associationvision.com
EDITOR Carol A. Eaton Eaton Communications (707) 789-9520 carol@eaton
communications.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carolyn Ward Association Vision (704) 677-3051
cward@associationvision.com
DESIGNER THOR Design Studio Washington D.C. | Austin
info@thor-studio.com
www.thor.design
CORRESPONDENCE Address editorial and circulation correspondence to: California Constructor AGC of California 3095 Beacon Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 371-2422 or call Carol Eaton at (707) 789-9520 or
eatonc@comcast.net
Kindest regards, Peter Tateishi, CEO
COPYRIGHT 2022
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