AGC San Diego CONSTRUCTOR Magazine 2019 - Volume 3

Page 8

POLITICAL ACTION AGC Makes Early Political Endorsements as the 2020 Elections Approach By Brad Barnum, Executive Vice President

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ith the March 3, 2020 primary election just around the corner, it’s time to start rallying around candidates who support investing in the region’s infrastructure and understand the importance of fair and open competition. AGC’s Political Action Committee (PAC) has been quite busy this year interviewing candidates, and that will continue in the months ahead. However, it’s time to highlight three candidates who have earned AGC’s early endorsement: District 3 County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar; Poway Mayor Steve Vaus for District 1 County Supervisor; and June Cutter for 77th State Assembly.

in construction. Her comments at past SANDAG and County Board of Supervisors meetings about PLAs excluding 85% of the local workforce have been spot on! Steve Vaus

County Supervisor Gaspar

Mike Furby of Marathon Construction Corp., Thomas L. Brown of Sierra Pacific West, Inc., AGC President Steve Friar of Hensel Phelps and PAC Chair Bill Haithcock with Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. PAC Chair Bill Haithcock of Casper Company, Steve Stroder of Bergelectric, and Mark Dowsing of Orion Construction at PAC meeting with Supervisor Kristin Gaspar.

Supervisor Gaspar's commitment to infrastructure investment is clear, and her launch of the Building Better Roads Initiative was a breath of fresh air for the construction industry. AGC and other industry leaders are now working closely with the county to find solutions to regulatory issues, improve project productivity and industry efficiencies, and implement and evaluate five pilot projects that will test the use of innovative material and construction techniques. As far as fair and open competition is concerned, we have no doubt about her opposition to Project Labor Agreements (PLA). Just ask the Building Trades and IBEW, who have seen and heard first-hand her commitment to a level playing field 8

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In the course of about 20 seconds during a June 26 PAC interview, it became apparent who AGC would support. When asked about his opposition to PLAs, and his commitment to fair and open competition, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus stared right into the eyes of the PAC member and said, "You can take that to the bank." The stare continued for about 10 seconds, the temperature dropped ten degrees, and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! We have heard this commitment for fair and open competition before from many candidates. Unfortunately, a number of them who are now elected officials have veered away from that promise. Mayor Vaus is a proven leader, and he is the Chair of the San Diego Association of Governments, where leadership is a must as they try to come up with a multi-billion dollar long-term transportation


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