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Newsletter 2016-42 October 21, 2016 HUB/PAC MAKES GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS The Contractors Association of West Virginia’s political action committee, HUB/PAC, has made its endorsements for candidates running for the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates. HUB/PAC, which stands for Highway-Utility-Building Political Action Committee, surveyed candidates to determine their level of support to prioritize investment in the maintenance and modernization of West Virginia’s infrastructure of roads, bridges, water and sewer, schools, public buildings, dams and other public structures that are vital to jobs, future economic development and a better quality of life for all citizens. Their responses, along with their willingness to give the CAWV a fair hearing on issues affecting the state’s contracting industry, were the basis for making this year’s endorsements. In letters to the candidates, the CAWV said it is asking the CAWV’s 425 members and their thousands of employees to vote for them. A number of good candidates are running this year and HUB/PAC contributions are used to support candidates running for elective office who, regardless of party affiliation, understand the construction industry and the specific needs, interests, and concerns of CAWV member companies and their employees. Members are encouraged to share this endorsement list with people in their company who share the company’s goals and objectives. A full copy is on the CAWV website at www.cawv.org. AGC PAC CONTRIBUTES TO WEST VIRGINIA’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION The Associated General Contractors of America’s political action committee, AGC PAC, has contributed to the reelection campaigns of Representatives David McKinley and Evan Jenkins. AGC supports them for their work on the five-year highway reauthorization bill, the FAST Act, and their support on reigning in the U.S. EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations. Rep. McKinley was presented AGC’s contribution during a visit to the CAWV office and CAWV President C.R. Neighborgall met with Rep. Jenkins in the president’s office in Huntington. On the national level, AGC has developed a comparison of the two presidential candidates on issues relating to the construction industry. A side by side comparison on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is attached with this Newsletter. COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION DAY WEBINAR; OCTOBER 24 AT 3:00 P.M. Join AGC Director of Political Affairs David Ashinoff and Ellis Insights Publisher Jim Ellis as they provide the latest details on the upcoming 2016 elections. They’ll cover the Clinton-Trump presidential match up, Democrats chances of taking control of the US Senate, and likelihood of Paul Ryan retaining his House majority and speakership as well as AGC’s Get-Out-the-Vote efforts. The webinar will take place on October 24 from 3:00pm - 3:45pm. It will be a very informative session. Members can go to https://www.agc.org/learn/education- training/events/webed-countdown-election-day-election-update-overview-construction to register for the presentation. GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES CONFIDENT OF THEIR POLL NUMBERS Less than three weeks until Election Day, Greenbrier owner Jim Justice still has a double-digit lead in the governor’s race over Senate President Bill Cole, according to the MetroNews West Virginia Poll released Wednesday. Justice, the Democratic nominee, leads by an 11-point margin, according to the latest poll. Justice is favored by 44 percent of those who responded while Cole received 33 percent. Mountain Party candidate Charlotte Pritt was at 8 percent, Libertarian Party candidate David Moran was at 5 percent, and 9 percent were not sure. Earlier in the week, Jim Justice and Bill Cole promoted their respective polling numbers Monday with each campaign declaring they have the momentum. Republican nominee Cole’s poll, taken between Oct. 8-10 by NMB Research, has the candidates tied at 39 percent, according to West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Conrad Lucas. “This is now moving in the correct direction. It’s now moving with momentum as more folks are getting to know Bill Cole and more folks are tuning into the election,” Lucas said on WV MeteroNews’ “Talkline.” Recently released numbers show more newly registered voters, who have registered since the May election, have chosen to register either as Republican or independent. Lucas said that’s good news for Cole and other GOP candidates. “We know we can win a governor’s race with a registration deficit and right now this deficit is the smallest it has been in modern electoral history. So we are very excited about where we are,” Lucas said. The Democratic gubernatorial nominee Justice is leading the Republican Cole 44 percent to 34 percent, according to Justice pollster Jefrey Pollock of Global Strategy Group. “Jim Justice is winning those conservative Democrats by an overwhelming margin. He’s winning them 70-30,” Pollock said. “Hillary Clinton is losing those conservative Democrats (in W.Va.) 18 (percent) to 80 (percent) and I’m not making that up.” The Global Strategy Group Poll has Donald Trump with a 58 percent to 31 percent lead over Clinton. The poll shows Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey with a 42 percent to 40 percent lead over Democratic challenger Del. Doug Reynolds. YCF TOYS FOR TOTS GOLF SCRAMBLE RESCHEDULED FOR NEXT FRIDAY – OCTOBER 28 Due to inclement weather, the fourth annual YCF hosted Toys for Tots fall golf scramble has been rescheduled for Friday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Little Creek Country Club, South Charleston. YCF Chairman Josh Booth would like to invite all members to participate regardless of age. In addition to the registration fee of $50, a box lunch and beverages will be included. Members are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. An updated registration form is attached to this week’s Newsletter. Sponsors are also needed for the event and a sponsorship form is also included in this week’s newsletter. For additional information, contact Pat McDonald at (304) 342-1166 or [email protected]. REGISTER NOW FOR CAWV / BRICKSTREET SAFETY SEMINAR – NOVEMBER 4 Join the CAWV and BrickStreet Insurance for a “Fall Protection and Scaffolding Assembly and Use” safety seminar on Friday, November 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at BrickStreet’s headquarters. This seminar helps attendees understand the importance of safe work conditions and proper use of fall protection gear and scaffolding. The seminar will include a fall protection demonstration as well as how to locate and use proper anchor points. This training is for business owners, safety managers, employees and anyone who needs to learn how to prevent the loss of life on jobsites. This seminar fulfills one of the CAWV / BrickStreet Safety Program seminar requirements. The fee is $35 for CAWV members and $50 for future members. A registration form is attached to this week’s newsletter, or contact Pat McDonald at (304) 342-1166 or [email protected] to register or get more information. OSHA DELAYS ENFORCEMENT OF POST-INCIDENT DRUG TESTING POSITION – WEBINAR AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week delayed enforcement until Dec. 1, 2016 of the anti-retaliation provisions in its injury and illness reporting rule, which highlighted OSHA’s intention to enforce policies that could restrict mandatory post- incident alcohol and drug testing. Also this week, at AGC’s urging, more than 30 members of Congress called on OSHA to reconsider and withdraw this controversial and unsubstantiated position. OSHA issued this delay at the request of a federal court currently considering a motion challenging the anti-retaliation provisions. The letter from members of Congress comes on the heels of AGC grassroots efforts and AGC Chapter and contractor Capitol Hill meetings following the association’s National and Chapter Leadership Conference in late September. AGC previously met with the head of OSHA, noting the association’s opposition to the drug testing position and that position’s challenge to safe, drug-free workplaces and drug testing programs collectively bargained with organized labor. AGC will hold a complementary webinar for AGC members ($49 for non-members) to explain OSHA’s position and contractor requirements under this rule on October 31 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The association will continue its efforts to oppose this unreasonable OSHA position, while educating its members on how best to comply. Members can click here to register. NEARLY 200 MEMBERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CAWV MIDYEAR EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT Nearly 200 members have registered for the CAWV Midyear Meeting, which will be held January 27- February 1 at Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino. They have taken advantage of the early-bird discount which expired October 14. The discount was extended one week due to the large number of members registering last week. A tentative agenda, information on the Hyatt Regency Hotel and a convention registration form are available online at www.cawv.org/events/midyear-meeting.html. We hope you plan to join us for what promises to be a most enjoyable meeting at what many consider to be their favorite CAWV meeting site. But please remember, all unused hotel rooms will be released in November. If you plan to attend, don't delay! If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Long at the CAWV office at (304) 342-1166 or email at [email protected]. VOLUME DUES REPORTS MAILED Third Quarter volume dues reports have been mailed. Please make every effort to return the report in a timely manner to the CAWV office at 2114 Kanawha Blvd, East, Charleston, WV 25311. For questions, please contact Wendy Long at (304) 342-1166 or email [email protected].