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Tort Reform is Back on State’s Leadership Agenda Speaker Bobby Harrell in a letter to the Palmetto Leadership Council dated October 12, 2009 wrote "The economy is clearly the number one issue we are currently facing, and while we are starting to see signs of improvement, there is still much to do. That is why two of my top priorities this year will be an economic development package and a comprehensive tort reform bill to build on the changes we implemented in 2005." This statement is significant as Mr. Harrell sees the work on tort reform began in 2003 is not complete. Legislation was introduced last year to further level the playing field for businesses in this state. It has to be passed. ACEC-SC and SCSPE have been working with others in the business community for tort reform and changes in workers’ compensation practices and commissioners. Department of Commerce Secretary, Joe Taylor had this to say to Mr. Cam Crawford, Executive Director of the SC Civil Justice Coalition about these issues in securing the Boeing plant expansion in North Charleston: “Tort reform and workers' comp reform play a part in every decision that is made by every company that chooses to locate here." South Carolina is on the right track for economic development. The only answer to bringing our state’s per capita up is securing work for our citizens. The Boeing plant expansion in this decade may be what the BMW plant was in the 1990s. Nevertheless, the largest employer in South Carolina is small businesses. Engineering firms are, for the most part, small businesses. Their employees are the other side of the economic development plan – high tech, well paid, professionals. Charles M. (Chuck) Joye, PE, Being Recommended to Governor for Full Term on Registration Board Mr. Joye was among some half-dozen applicants to the SC Council of Engineering and Surveying Societies, the group, by law, that makes recommendations to the Governor. Mr. Joye had recommendations from both the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina and the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers. Mr. Joye’s current term on the registration board ends Dec. 31, 2009. He was originally appointed by Governor Sanford Jan. 1, 2008. Also, Ms. Nancy Cottingham, the public member, was recently re-appointed to the registration board by Governor Sanford. Two seated registration board members’ terms expire Dec. 31, 2010. Ms. Theresa Hodge, PE, and Mr. Gene Dinkins, PE, PLS hold the seats next up for appointment. Ms. Hodge was appointed for s short term in Jan. 1, 2008. Ms. Hodge is serving as the board’s secretary. Mr. Dinkins, who sits in one of the two land surveyors seats, has served a full term; he is currently registration board chair. Last Chance to Register For Great Fellowship at the Fall Golf Tournament Today is the deadline for registration. Please get your registrations in ASAP to admin@jma-associations.com . If you are having trouble filling your team just send us an email with your intent to play and four shirt sizes. You can fill in the blanks in next week. Hope to see you there! Click here for registration information<< 2010 Engineering Excellence Call for Entries is Approaching Final projects are due to ACEC-SC by Dec. 9, 2009. If you have a project that was completed by your South Carolina office between Nov. 1, 2007 and Oct. 31, 2009 you qualify to submit. Check your completed project to see if they quality for this year’s competition. The 2009 project panels have been on display at University of South Carolina, The Citadel and the ACEC-SC/SCDOT Annual Meeting. The panels will start a rotation at South Carolina State next week. The panels were also displayed by PowerPoint at Clemson University. ACEC-SC would like to thank EEA Chair, Ms. Theresa Hodge, PE, for her hard work ensuring these panels are displayed at the engineering schools. Displaying them gives engineering student examples of projects they may be involved with in the future. Project entries will be judge on Dec. 18, 2009. The judges are Senator Paul Campbell and Dean Fallon, The Citadel. One more judge is going to be announced soon. Don’t hesitate enter now. Click here for the Call for Entries Brochure<< SCDOT Deputy Secretary, Chapman, Addresses ACEC-SC/SCDOT Annual Meeting
Mr. Chapman went on to explain that the SCDOT has a strategic plan which directs the department where it is to spend its money. He said the department has been working on safety, with the efforts of law enforcement and others, the results have been good. Highway deaths are down. He said the two-foot shoulders and the rumble strips have reduced crashes. The department is issuing a RFQ for design/build for intersection improvements within the next six months. Projects on I-20, 385 and I-26 in Charleston were scheduled for the future, but due to additional funds they are moving up on the list. Mr. Chapman said the department was working on a new strategic plan that should be out before the summer. In the federal program, there is $675 million to maintain the main highway system. He said 60 percent of that goes to maintenance, 33 percent to new construction and 7 percent to mass transit. FHWA SC Administrator says New Authorization Bill may be Two Years Away Current funding expires the end of October; so, Congress will pass its first of its ”continuing resolutions” to keep transportation funding at current levels. Willingham Appointed, Approved for DOT Commission Mr. Willingham was confirmed by the full Joint Transportation Review Committee Wednesday, which is chaired by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley). The screening and qualification requirements for commissioners are new, stringent, and were enacted by the recent DOT restructuring legislation, spearheaded by Grooms and Sanford. Ken was found fully qualified by the committee, and will be seated at the next Commission meeting. “Ken met – in my opinion, actually exceeded - the background and experience guidelines,” says SCTA President Rick Todd. ACEC-SC/SCDOT Annual Meeting Continues its Success
The ACEC-SC/SCDOT Annual Meeting held Oct. 22 at Seawell’s in Columbia was a great success. The quality of programs, the attendance, the exhibitors and the food were all hits. “Given this economy,” said Executive Director Joe Jones, “I did not know what to expect. We have had better attended meetings in the 12 years we have been partnering with the SCDOT, but this year’s meeting exceeded our expectations.” “I have to give it to the planning committee with SCDOT and ACEC-SC personnel working to put together the program,” he said. “They did a great job.” ACEC’s Matt Reiffer was the keynote luncheon speaker and did an excellent job on briefing ACEC-SC members and SCDOT personnel on the current status of possible transportation funding in Washington. He is the Director of transportation programs at ACEC. He is the primary lobbyist on all federal transportation issues, including the surface transportation authorization bill, aviation, rail and transit matters. Prior to joining ACEC, Mr. Reiffer was the Legislative Director and Counsel for Congressman Vern Ehlers of Michigan, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Those who attended benefited and those that missed the meeting missed something. Even with the SC State Fair, just across the street, we had no defections to venture over for lunch. ACEC-SC/SCSPE Winter Meeting is Coming Together As usual the program will consist of business and environmental tracks. Mel Lester, The Business Edge, is back again this year for the business track. He will discuss various topics from The Extreme Marketing Makeover to Recession Exit Strategies. SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and the US Army Corps of Engineers will discuss environmental issues facing engineers working in South Carolina for the environmental track. Senator Paul Campbell will be a featured keynote speaker. This event offers programs to interest everyone. More information is coming soon. ACEC is Helping with the Green Revolution Find out more here: http://www.acec.org/advocacy/committees/environment.cfm The American Council of Engineering of South Carolina is a member of organization of the ACEC-SC Reports is published for members firms and friends by
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"What we do is all around you."
We would like to thank those that have committed to participate in this year's annual meeting as an exhibitor or sponsor. Bronze Trade Show Exhibitors
November 13
We would like to thank those that have committed to participate in the 2009 SC Engineering Conference. Silver Bronze Mid-Morning Break Sponsor Trade Show Exhibitors
We would like to congratulate our 2009 Engineering Excellence Awards winners and their clients. Palmetto Award WPC, Inc. Engineering Excellence Awards WPC, Inc. Honor Awards HGBD/BV
ACEC-SC would like to thank our members for your continued support. For membership information contact Ginger Booker at ginger@jma-associations.com. The mission of ACEC-SC is to promote and protect the business interests and professional standards of engineers in the state of South Carolina; and to improve member firms' ability to profitably provide quality services to their clients. ACEC-SC is an Organization of more than 80 Engineering firms employing more than 4,000 individuals. Membership Information
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