ASCE Government Relations Update

1. ASCE Government Relations Update Aaron Castelo, Director, State and Local Government Relations, ASCE acastelo@asce.org; 202-789-7855

2. What are the consequences if we fail to act?

3. “Failure to Act” Consequences Increased Costs to Businesses Loss of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Increased Costs to Households

8. Summary Infographics

9. Save America’s Infrastructure

10. What’s Next

11. 2013 Report Card • Release scheduled for March 2012 • ASCE Committee on America’s Infrastructure recently met at ASCE HQ • Next report card will be mainly electronic app based • Success stories needed!

12. 2013 Report Card App

13. State Report Cards • State Report Cards • Funds available for public affairs programs, development of state infrastructure report cards • Addition of staff in ASCE Washington, DC office

14. State Government Relations • Mission • Develop, encourage, and support Section and Branch efforts to influence state and local government on issues affecting civil engineering and advocate for ASCE priority issues at the state level • State Government Relations Committee • Member committee that guides state program • One member from each ASCE Region

15. State Priority Issues • Infrastructure • Licensing • Qualifications based selection for engineering services (QBS) • Science, technology, engineering & math (STEM) education • Sustainability

16. ASCE State Activities 2011 • Expanded state government relations program beginning in 2011 • Long –term planning project • Move to become more pro-active • Active on issues in 18 states in 2011 • Increased participation with national groups • National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) • Council of State Governments (CSG) • U.S. Conference of Mayors

17. State Activities in 2012 • Infrastructure one of top issues facing states • Legislative tracking service available to members • Increased recognition by state policy groups • Proactive action on legislation in 13 states • AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, KS, NY, SC, VA, WA • Strong push on continuing education bills • Colorado (2013) • Connecticut • Vermont (needs implemented) • Washington

18. Resources • Legislative tracking service available online • Staff can assist Sections with drafting testimony, position papers, letters, op-eds, and letters to the editor • Staff generates alerts on pending legislation to members asking them to act (support or oppose) • Materials and information for visits with state legislators

19. Legislative Tracking Service • http://www.asce.org/MLTS.aspx

30. Recent Activity in Region 1 • Raise the Bar • Ongoing discussion in Connecticut and Vermont • Continuing education • Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont • Infrastructure funding • Dam safety (Maine and Massachusetts) • Funding issues (New Hampshire, New York)

32. ASCE Needs You to Be Involved • Key Contact Program • Any ASCE member can join – visit http://www.asce.org/keycontacts • ASCE 2013 Fly-In • Washington, DC March 19-21, 2013 • Develop relationships with your elected officials • Writing email messages and/or making phone calls • Meeting with legislators at state and federal level • Volunteering for campaigns