Newsletter 2018-43 October 26, 2018 EARLY VOTING - THROUGH NOVEMBER 3! EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY UNTIL NOVEMBER 3 - ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 6 The 2018 Midterm Elections are just two weeks away. Early Voting started October 24 and runs until Saturday, November 3. West Virginians will have the chance to vote for numerous offices on the ballot including the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, half of the West Virginia State Senate, all one-hundred seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates, and various county and municipal offices. In addition, two unexpired seats on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals are on the ballot. Justices Evan Jenkins and Tim Armstead were appointed earlier this fall to fill those vacancies and are both running in the election to complete the remainder of the terms. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. To find the location for Early Voting in your county, please click here. As a reminder, you must have your ID with you when to vote this year. CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF WEST VIRGINIA PAC 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 West Virginians. Their responses, along with their past 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 over 450 CAWV’s members and their thousands of employees who reside in their districts 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, regardless of party affiliation. CAWV members have specific policy needs that do not always align with all segments of the business community. HUB/PAC attempts to support candidates who understand the construction industry and the specific needs, interests, and concerns of CAWV member companies and their employees. Regardless of election day outcome, the CAWV will work with all candidates whether they earned our endorsement or not. Members will find attached to this week’s Newsletter an endorsement list for the November 6 election. Please share with people in your company who share your goals and objectives. CAWV DELIVERS AGC PAC CHECKS IN FEDERAL RACES AGC of America’s political action committee has contributed to West Virginia candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-2nd District, was in the CAWV office this week to meet with CAWV President Roger Thomas and Immediate Past President Scott Pierson to discuss National AGC issues, including the need to pass a broad, long-term infrastructure funding package, repeal and replace the Waters of the U.S. rule, modernization of the Hours of Service rules to ease the burden on construction drivers and the abandonment of harmful steel and aluminum tariffs. Rep. David McKinley, R-1st District, and Carol Miller, the Republican candidate running in West Virginia’s Third District, have already been to the CAWV office to discuss construction issues that will be before the next Congress. Rep. McKinley and Rep. Mooney have a good lead in their races. Carol Miller is slightly ahead of her challenger in recent polls. CAWV COMMENTS ON WVDEP STORMWATER PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES; ASSOCIATION EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED CHANGES The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to revise the West Virginia General Water Pollution Control Permit, Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities, WV Permit No. WV0115924. The permit makes significant changes that affect construction and development projects. The CAWV presented our comments on the proposed permit. The association writes, “CAWV contractor members operate in good faith to design and construct their projects to maintain strict water quality standards, even though 2018 rainfall amounts have made this year’s efforts more difficult. In return, contractors must have clearly defined rules that are realistic and feasible to attain. Our members have expressed concern that the proposed regulations are a major departure to the current General Permit requirements. The new permit, as we understand it, will have significant cost implications and the potential to delay economic and transportation projects. Our industry would hope these changes would not be a conflict at a time when the state of West Virginia is working to create jobs by attracting businesses to locate in West Virginia.” Two major areas of concern are the elimination of the Notice of Intent and BMPs for all waters other than Tier 1 waters. The CAWV writes, “The CAWV opposes the elimination of the Notice of Intent for projects disturbing 1 to 3 acres of land. Many small development projects, many that have little to no impact on the waters of the state, would be affected by this change. Adding 60 to 90 days for review of these projects would add more work to WVDEP and discourage future development.” The proposed permit imposes enhanced BMPs for all waters other than Tier 1 waters, which are almost every waterbody in the state, since Tier 2 is the default designation. This means that enhanced BMPs will be required almost everywhere. The CAWV requests the WVDEP simplify the permit by requiring basic BMPs for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 streams. We believe that current BMPs are suitable and effective when used and maintained properly. Costs would accelerate if enhanced BMPs are required for virtually all projects. The CAWV has requested a meeting with WVDEP to discuss the industry’s concerns. Any member willing to participate in the meeting are asked to contact Pat McDonald at [email protected]. Members can click the following links to view the draft of the stormwater permit and a fact sheet on the changes. WVCN CALL FOR PHOTOS FOR ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION FORECAST ISSUE The CAWV is calling all members to share their project photos with the readers of West Virginia Construction News. The photos are to be included in the November / December annual construction forecast issue. Members are asked to include captions detailing the name of the project and its location, name of photographer and the submitting company in their entries. Please send all photographs to Cassidy Webb at [email protected]. Photos may also be sent on a CD by mail to CAWV headquarters. All submissions must be received by Friday, November 23, 2018. SAVE THE DATE – CAWV HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE- DECEMBER 4 CAWV President Roger Thomas invites all members and their employees to the association’s Holiday Open House on Tuesday, December 4, at CAWV Headquarters from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The CAWV will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit Toys for Tots. Anyone wishing to donate should bring items to the reception. This is a great opportunity for members to get together and network, with members, staff and associates and join in the holiday festivities. For more information, contact Pat McDonald at (304) 342-1166 or [email protected]. CAWV FALL GOLF OUTING BENEFITS TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM Nearly 70 CAWV members teed off at Little Creek Country Club on Friday, October 19, for the annual golf event. The weather was perfect for the fall outing and everyone had a great time. The golf outing, hosted by the Young Contractors Forum, resulted in dozens of donated toys for local children that will be distributed through the Marine Reserves Toys for Tots program. The CAWV thanks all members who donated to this great cause. A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS BrickStreet Insurance Brown Edwards & Company LLC Core & Main IVS Hydro JAMATT, Inc. The James White Construction Company Kelly Paving, Inc. O.R. Colan Associates Mid Atlantic Maintenance Vecellio & Grogan WV Paving, Inc. Contractors Association of West Virginia HUB/PAC General Election Endorsements -2018 2114 Kanawha Boulevard, East Charleston, WV 25311 (304-342-1166) State Senate th th 1st District Ryan Ferns (R) 15 District Geoff Foster (R) 48 District Terry Waxman (R) th th 2nd District Charles Clements (R) 16 District Daniel Linville (R) 49 District Amy Summers (R) rd th 3 District Mike Azinger (R) 16th District John Mandt, JR. (R) 50 District Guy Ward (R) th th st 4 District Eric Tarr (R) 17 District Matthew Rohrbach (R) 51 District Debbie Warner (R) th th st 5 District Mike Woelfel (D) 18 District Evan Worrell (R) 51 District Joe Statler (R) th nd nd 6 District Mark Maynard (R) 22 District Zack Maynard (R) 52 District Terri Funk Sypolt (R) th rd rd 7 District Ron Stollings (D) 23 District Rodney Miller (D) 53 District D. R. Jennings (R) th th 8 District Ed Gaunch (R) 27 District Joe Ellington, JR. (R) 54th District John Hott II (R) th th 10 District George Ambler (R) 27 District Eric Porterfield (R) 56th District Gary G. Howell (R) th th th 13 District Bob Beach (D) 27 District John Shott (R) 57 District Ruth Rowan (R) th th th 14 District Dave Sypolt (R) 28 District Roy Cooper (R) 58 District Daryl Cowles (R) th th nd 15 District Charles Trump IV (R) 28 District Jeffrey Pack (R) 62 District Tom Bibby (R) th th rd 17 District Tom Takubo (R) 30 District Mick Bates (D) 63 District John Hardy (R) rd th 33 District Roger Hanshaw (R) 64 District Eric L.