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07/25/2017
Message from Beth -- July 25, 2017
As part of the three year Long Range Strategic Plan that was adopted an ACEC Ohio Chapter Integration Task Force was created. What is their goal, read more to find out!
07/25/2017
You are invited to the Northeast Ohio PAC Event
Join ACEC Ohio on Thursday, August 31st at Portside Distillery from 5-7pm for the first Northeast Ohio PAC event.
07/25/2017
Get your projects ready for the 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards
The annual Engineering Excellence Awards celebrates the most outstanding project achievements of the engineering profession. Call for Entries out soon!
07/25/2017
ACEC Ohio seeking Committee Participants
Now is the time to get involved and sign up for one or more committees!
07/07/2017
ACEC Ohio Legislative Update--July 7, 2017
The Biennial Budget Bill is complete, see what happened before the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate began their summer recess.
06/26/2017
Message from Beth--June 27, 2017
An overview of the last year at ACEC Ohio by the numbers and in pictures.
06/26/2017
ACEC Ohio's Annual Meeting Recognizes Out-Going Board Members
The 2017 ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting highlighted the value of advocacy with two outstanding speakers, Steve Hall, Vice President of ACEC and Curt Steiner, President of Steiner Public Relations.
06/26/2017
Meet the 2017-2018 Board of Directors
Congratulations to the new Chair of the ACEC Ohio Board of Directors, Fred Seling and welcome to the incoming board.
06/26/2017
ACEC Ohio Adopts Long-Range Strategic Plan
Over the past year, the ACEC Ohio Planning Committee has been working on a long-range strategic plan for the Council. This is a three-year plan that elevates ACEC Ohio to the next level.
05/26/2017
ACEC Ohio Legislative Update--May 26, 2017
General Revenue Fund Budget Update along with testimony by ACEC Ohio on the piping materials bill.
05/22/2017
Last Chance to Register for the ODOT/ ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference!
Registration closes May 31st!
05/16/2017
Message from Beth--May 16, 2017
ACEC Ohio partnering with AIA to form an OFCC Joint Liaison Committee
05/16/2017
Advocacy Highlights the 2017 ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting
Join us on June 15, 2017 at the Fawcett Center
05/16/2017
Welcome New Member Firms to ACEC Ohio
ACEC Ohio welcomes three new member firms and WSP USA announcement
04/20/2017
Message from Beth--April 20, 2017
ACEC President, Dave Raymond visits Ohio sharing key issues for ACEC Ohio members in D.C.
04/20/2017
Registration OPEN for ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting
Advocacy highlights the annual meeting on June 15, 2017 at the Fawcett Center--Steve Hall, Vice President of Government Affairs for ACEC and Curt Steiner, CEO of Steiner PR share the value and impact of advocacy.
04/20/2017
ACEC Ohio participates in ODOT Civil Rights Symposium
Matchmaker event for ACEC Ohio members and DBE Firms being planned for June 7, 2017
04/12/2017
2017 ODOT/ ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference Registration OPEN
June 14, 2017 at the Ohio Union followed by a social event at the Columbus Clippers game, register today!
03/31/2017
Governor signs Transportation Budget Bill
Four items were vetoed including: Smart Transportation Advisory Team, Frequency of Bridge Inspection, interchanges on limited access highways every 4 miles
03/24/2017
ACEC Ohio Legislative Update--March 24, 2017
The transportation budget bill goes to conference committee, sales tax on professional services, pipe preference and vehicle registration fee bills highlight this update.
03/16/2017
2017 Engineering Excellence Awards Celebrated with Style
Over 160 people enjoyed a revamped luncheon event
03/16/2017
ACEC Ohio Slate of Officers & Directors Announced
New Board Members will begin on July 1, 2017
03/16/2017
ACEC Ohio members stepping up PAC contributions
Congratulations to 23 member firms for meeting their 2017 goal
03/07/2017
ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Awards Deadline Approaching
The deadline to submit your project for the ODOT/ACEC Ohio 2017 Partnering Awards is March 24, 2017.
02/23/2017
ACEC Ohio Legislative Update--February 24, 2017
The transportation budget bill passed out of committee, sales tax on professional services language, bridge partnership program and PVC pipe preference highlight this update.
02/14/2017
Message from Beth--February 15, 2017
Senate President Obhof visits ACEC Ohio Board Meeting, Professional Services Sales Tax and Residency Bill injunction highlight this message.
02/14/2017
PAC Kick-off a Huge Success
With special guests, Attorney General Mike DeWine and the voice of the Buckeyes Jim Lachey, over 50 ACEC Ohio members mingled tasting the spirits distilled at Watershed Distillery.
02/14/2017
ODOT Corner: Transportation Budget Bill
ODOT has offered to provide an occasional article for the ACEC Ohio e-newsletter, this month Director Jerry Wray offers his insight on the Transportation Budget.
02/14/2017
Welcome New ACEC Ohio Member Firms
ACEC Ohio welcomes six new member firms: Adaptive Engineering Group, BSI Engineering, Dynotec, Hull & Associates, Melink Corporation and Stahl Sheaffer Engineering.
02/14/2017
ACEC Ohio State Public Works Committee meeting with Ohio Facilities Construction Commission
As part of the efforts of the ACEC Ohio State Public Works Committee, the Council has joined with AIA in an effort to identify partnering opportunities with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC)
02/14/2017
Engineering Excellence Luncheon Registrations Due February 21, 2017
SIgn up today for the Engineering Excellence Awards Luncheon, you won't want to miss it!
01/27/2017
ACEC Ohio PAC Kick-Off Event, February 9, 2017
Join ACEC Ohio at our inaugural PAC kick-off event, enjoy tours, tastings and good food with special guests Mike DeWine, Attorney General of the State of Ohio and Jim Lachey, Voice of the Buckeyes.
01/26/2017
ODOT invites ACEC Ohio Members to Budget Overview
Please join Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray and ODOT senior leadership for the 2017 State of ODOT presentation and state budget overview.
01/17/2017
Message from Beth--January 17, 2017
The new year brings the beginning of session for the Ohio General Assembly and the introduction of both the General Revenue Fund (GRF) and the Transportation budget bills.
01/16/2017
ACEC Ohio meets National PAC Goal!
Congratulations to all member firms who contributed to the ACEC National PAC (ACEC/PAC)!
01/15/2017
Johnny DiLoretto to host Engineering Excellence Awards Luncheon
This luncheon will recognize the success in engineering innovation on 29 projects submitted by 22 member firms. The coveted top-award, aptly named the Grand Award, and the award for the Outstanding Small Project will be unveiled at the luncheon.
01/14/2017
Bureau of Worker's Compensation partnering with ACEC Ohio
Recently, four ACEC Ohio member firms sat down with the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation Administrator, Sarah Morrison, and her staff to discuss the use of EM ratings by third party vendors
01/11/2017
2017 ACEC/PAC Spring Sweepstakes
CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF 15 PRIZES - Grand Prize: $10,000 - Drawing to be held during ACEC's Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. April 23 - 26, 2017
12/27/2016
Excellence in Highway Design - 2017 ODOT-ACEC Partnering Awards
Call for nominations for the ODOT/ACEC Excellence in Highway Design Award. Nominations for candidate projects are due March 24, 2017!
12/15/2016
Message from Beth – Wednesday, December 15, 2016
What's been happening at ACEC Ohio since the transition? Find out in this recap of Beth’s first six months.
12/15/2016
Ohio’s Lame Duck Session Brought Christmas Early
Kevin Futryk from Government Advantage Group highlights what happened in the Ohio General Assembly during lame duck session.
12/15/2016
Meet the New PAC Trustees
Gratitude abounds for the leadership and service of the Trustees in managing the ACEC Ohio Political Action Fund as four new appointees start terms on January 1.
12/15/2016
ACEC Ohio Realigns Executive Director and President Titles
The titles of the Council’s volunteer and staff leaders have been realigned. The title of the Executive Director has been changed to President while the Board of Directors titles have changed from President and Vice President to Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.
11/17/2016
Message from Beth – November 17, 2016
Get an election recap - ACEC Ohio style. Reminder: the Salary & Fringe Benefit Survey deadline is November 30.
11/17/2016
Ohio General Assembly Announces Leadership Team
The Ohio House and the Ohio Senate announced their leadership teams for the 132nd Ohio General Assembly, which convenes in January 2017.
11/17/2016
Engineering Excellence Awards Entries
ACEC Ohio members have been hard at work as evidenced by the number of submissions for this year's Engineering Excellence Awards competition.
11/09/2016
2016 Elections Summary from Government Advantage Group
There were very important decisions made down the ticket. Ohioans chose three Supreme Court Justices, all 99 House of Representatives seats were on the ballot, half of the State Senate seats, one US Senate Seat, and all Congressional seats.
10/18/2016
Message from Beth – October 18, 2016
Advocacy efforts are in full swing in preparation for next year’s Ohio General Assembly. Update on your PAC dollars at work.
10/18/2016
Stay up-to-date with ACEC Ohio’s New Committee and Chapter Website Pages
ACEC Ohio website now has enhanced Chapter pages and newly created Committee pages. Log in to acecohio.org using the “member” tab to access Committee information.
10/18/2016
Last Call for EEA Submissions!
What project should we submit to the 2017 ACEC Ohio’s Engineering Excellence Award competition by the November 3 deadline?
09/27/2016
Take control of your workers’ compensation savings!
Your company could achieve a significant reduction in its annual Workers' Compensation premium cost by enrolling in ACEC Ohio's Group Rating Program.
09/23/2016
Message from Beth – September 23, 2016
September is off with a bang with the first Board of Directors meeting. Do you have your project identified and ready to submit for the Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) Competition? Hint: The odds of winning at the National level are better than ever!
09/23/2016
Your PAC Dollars at work, ACEC Ohio hosts Legislative Leadership Dinners
Advocacy efforts help us educate and inform our elected representatives about who we are, what we do and what we believe. Please consider giving a voluntary contribution to both the ACEC Ohio PAC and the ACEC National PAC today.
09/22/2016
ACEC Ohio Board of Directors Update
Highlights from the September 2016 Board of Directors Meeting
09/22/2016
Inside Look at the Communications Committee
ACEC Ohio’s newest committee has hit the ground running!
08/17/2016
Message from Beth Easterday - August 17, 2016
From meeting with key state agency directors and legislators to hiring a communication-membership specialist and from working with new committee chairs to future planning endeavors, ACEC Ohio is thriving.
08/16/2016
Indemnification Bill Introduced
ACEC Ohio is working on legislation which would regulate the use of indemnity provisions in contracts related to public improvements.
08/15/2016
New Staff at ACEC Ohio
Welcome Aimee Rupert to the newly-created role of ACEC Ohio communication-membership specialist.
08/14/2016
Thanks for your Input!
The results from the Communication Survey conducted by the newly-formed Communications Committee found that members believe the ACEC Ohio communication efforts are headed in the right direction.
06/08/2016
Nearly 400 attend ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference
Yesterday's fifth annual ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference, held at the Ohio Union in Columbus, was another record-setter in terms of attendance.
06/03/2016
ACEC-backed bill banning cities from imposing residency quotas is signed into law
ACEC Ohio-backed legislation that prohibits political jurisdictions from imposing local hiring quotas on engineers and contractors has been signed into law by Governor John Kasich.
06/02/2016
ACEC Ohio urges legislators to reject PVC pipe bill
Legislation that would prohibit local governments from exercising a preference for the type of pipe that is used in water and wastewater projects infringes on the judgment of the professional engineer and should be rejected, ACEC Ohio told state lawmakers last week.
04/27/2016
$2.6 billion capital improvements budget taking wings through Ohio General Assembly
A $2.6 billion, two-year state capital improvements budget, which funds all manner of projects in virtually every county, is taking wings through the Ohio General Assembly.
04/26/2016
ACEC Ohio members meet with majority of state's Congressional delegation during national convention
Fifteen ACEC Ohio members attended the Council's annual convention in Washington, DC, last week and took advantage of the opportunity to meet with most of the members of the state's Congressional delegation to discuss issues of importance to the industry.
04/26/2016
'Early Bird' registration for ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference ends Tuesday, May 3
Next Tuesday, May 3, is the deadline to get the 'Early Bird" registration rate for the annual ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference, to be held Tuesday, June 7, in Columbus.
04/25/2016
Four months into the year, 21 firms hit their voluntary PAC fundraising goals
A third of the way through the year, 21 ACEC Ohio member firms have met their 2016 voluntary contribution goals for ACEC's state and national political action committees, but many more firms need to pitch in order for the Council to hit its target numbers.
03/21/2016
Beth Easterday selected to be next Executive Director of ACEC Ohio
Beth Easterday has been selected by the ACEC Ohio Board of Directors to be the organization's new Executive Director. She will officially assume her duties July 1.
03/20/2016
AECOM captures Grand Award in Engineering Excellence Awards competition
Providing the structural engineering and building systems design for the new $768 million Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans has earned AECOM Technical Services the top award in ACEC Ohio's Engineering Excellence Awards competition.
03/19/2016
Michael E. Duffey, of SSOE Group, nominated to serve as next ACEC Ohio President
Michael E. Duffey, a principal with the SSOE Group, based in Toledo, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio, effective July 1.
03/18/2016
Big Ohio contingent to attend national convention; sign up and plan to visit your Congressional representatives
A big contingent from Ohio is registered to attend next month's national ACEC Annual Convention and Legislative Summit in Washington, DC, but there's still time for you to sign up and arrange to visit with your members of Congress.
02/10/2016
Proposal for $1 billion water infrastructure bond issue gets first Senate hearing
A rare bipartisan proposal that would see the state issue $1 billion in bonds over a decade to fund water infrastructure projects around the state got its first hearing in the Ohio Senate Tuesday.
02/09/2016
Fourteen project entries to be honored at March 10 Engineering Excellence Awards luncheon
Fourteen entries, ranging from the design of massive building and public works construction projects to the rehabilitation of a covered bridge, will be honored at ACEC Ohio's Engineering Excellence Awards luncheon on March 10 in Columbus.
02/08/2016
Ban local hiring quotas, ACEC Ohio urges legislative committee
State lawmakers came very close to passing legislation last year to prohibit municipalities from imposing local hiring quotas on those who want to compete for city contracts. In testimony before the House Government Affairs Committee last week, ACEC Ohio Executive Director Don Mader urged legislators to finish the job.
12/28/2015
Governor insists he won't give up on extending sales tax to services
Even though extending the state sales tax to services has been rejected twice by the Ohio General Assembly, Governor John Kasich said last week he will not give up on the idea.
12/28/2015
Don Mader to retire as ACEC Ohio Executive Director; search for successor underway
After 34 years of service, Don Mader, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio, will retire effective June 30, 2016.
10/29/2015
ACEC Ohio launches annual salary, fringe benefit survey
Whether your company is seeking to hire new technical staff, or just trying to retain the quality staff you have, it is vital that your firm’s salary and fringe benefit plans are competitive in the industry. That’s why your company should participate in ACEC Ohio’s 2015 Salary & Fringe Benefit Survey.
10/27/2015
CPD requirement can't be fulfilled merely by correspondence course, registration board warns
Professional engineers and surveyors shouldn't be misled into thinking they can meet their biennial continuing professional development requirement just by completing a correspondence course, warns the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Surveyors.
10/05/2015
Sewer district can impose storm water management fees, court rules
A Cleveland-area sewer district has the power to assess regional storm water management fees in an area covering 60 cities, villages and townships in four counties, according to a recent ruling of the Ohio Supreme Court.
09/29/2015
Work underway on new two-year state capital budget bill; few local enhancement projects to be funded
The process of developing the state's next two-year capital improvements budget bill is just getting underway and the state's budget director is already warning that there won't be much in the bill in the way of funding for local community enhancement projects.
09/02/2015
Bipartisan group of state senators proposes new $1 billion bond fund to finance water, sewer projects
A bipartisan group of members of the Ohio Senate has introduced legislation that could eventually authorize the state to issue up to $1 billion in bonds to help upgrade and expand local water and wastewater facilities.
09/01/2015
There's still time to volunteer to serve on an ACEC Ohio committee
With summer winding down and your calendar filling up, serving on an ACEC Ohio committee may not be high on your priority list. But it should be.
09/01/2015
Two months remain till deadline for submission of Engineering Excellence Awards competition entries
Many ACEC Ohio firms are busy preparing their entries for the 2016 Engineering Excellence Awards competition, but even if you haven't started yours yet, you still have two months to "git 'er done."
07/06/2015
Lynn Miggins begins service as new ACEC Ohio President
Lynn S. Miggins, of KS Associates, Inc., in Elyria, assumed the reins as the new president of ACEC Ohio at the Council's Annual Meeting on June 25, succeeding Richard J. Iafelice, of CT Consultants, Inc.
07/03/2015
Firms recovering from recession, but not all the way back, Deltek A/E survey shows
Design firms are continuing their steady recovery from the recession but have yet to return to the level of financial strength they enjoyed prior to the downturn, according to the 2014 Deltek Clarity A/E Industry study.
07/02/2015
Best aspect of new state budget: no sales tax on services
For engineering companies, the best feature of the new two-year state budget signed into law by Governor John Kasich last week is what it doesn't contain: his proposal to extend the state sales tax to engineering services.
05/21/2015
PVC pipe advocates again seek to limit engineer's design options
For the second year in a row, advocates of the PVC pipe industry are asking the Ohio General Assembly to limit the professional engineer's ability to specify the most appropriate piping material for local government water and wastewater projects.
05/21/2015
Earn a chunk of continuing education credits, improve your decision-making skills by attending Annual Meeting
Professional engineers can earn a big chunk of their biennial requirement for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours – and learn how to improve their decision-making skills – by attending the ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting, June 25, in Grove City.
05/20/2015
Ban municipal residency quotas on engineers, contractors, ACEC Ohio urges legislators
Cities should be prohibited from forcing engineering and construction firms to hire a quota of city residents as a condition of competing for contracts, ACEC Ohio told a committee of the Ohio House of Representatives Tuesday.
04/29/2015
Developer of 'Infotuition' decision-making model to present at June 25 Annual Meeting
If you or members of your management team are prone to over-thinking decisions, you should mark Thursday, June 25 on your calendar and plan to attend the ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting, at which nationally recognized speaker, author and management consultant Shelley Row will share with you her Infotuition™ decision-making model.
04/29/2015
Big contingent of Buckeyes attends national convention, lobby Ohio members of Congress
The largest contingent of ACEC Ohio members in recent memory traveled to Washington last week to attend the national Council's convention and visit with members of Ohio's Congressional delegation.
04/27/2015
Ohio House kills Kasich tax plan, but Senate may have other ideas
Even though Governor John Kasich's plan to increase business taxes, including levying the state sales tax on engineering services, was rejected by the Ohio House of Representatives last week, he clearly intends to try to resuscitate the plan in the Ohio Senate.
02/26/2015
Lynn Miggins nominated to be next ACEC Ohio President
Lynn S. Miggins, of KS Associates, Inc., in Elyria, has been nominated to become the next president of ACEC Ohio effective July 1.
01/16/2015
National ACEC launches study to compare DOTs' cost of doing engineering in-house versus hiring consultants
ACEC Ohio is encouraging its members to participate in a nationwide study, commissioned by the national ACEC, that will compare the cost to state departments of transportation of performing engineering design in-house versus contracting with consulting engineering companies to provide those services.
01/15/2015
ACEC Ohio member appointed to Ohio Board of Building Standards
ACEC Ohio member Shayne O. Manning, a director at structural engineering firm THP Limited Inc., in Cincinnati, has been appointed to the Ohio Board of Building Standards by Governor John Kasich.
01/12/2015
New legislature likely to resurrect bills left for dead by its predecessor
Before state legislators start introducing bills in the new, two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly that is just getting organized, it is useful to look back at some of the key bills that were passed – or abandoned – in the final "lame duck" days of the last legislative session.
11/11/2014
Local governments must use QBS to award design contracts for water projects receiving State Revolving Fund grants
Local governments must use Qualifications-Based Selection in awarding contracts for the design of water projects financed through Ohio's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, thanks to the lobbying efforts of the national ACEC.
11/11/2014
Council representatives meet with interim OFCC administrator, discuss range of issues
Representatives of ACEC Ohio met with the interim leader of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and his top staff Wednesday to discuss issues relating to the agency's administration and oversight of state building construction projects.
09/24/2014
State's biggest highway project to be designed, built, financed by private team
The Ohio Department of Transportation says it is ready to undertake the largest highway project in the state's history using a new project delivery method, the Public Private Partnership (P3).
08/08/2014
ACEC Ohio hosts confab with Senate President, Transportation Committee Chair
In the middle of an August 7 campaign swing through her northeast Ohio district, Ohio Senate Transportation Committee Chair Gayle Manning – accompanied by Senate President Keith Faber – took time to meet with a group of ACEC Ohio leaders and members.
07/28/2014
Volunteer now to serve on an ACEC Ohio committee
ACEC Ohio President Rich Iafelice is encouraging Council members to help the organization advance the industry's interests by serving on one or more committees.
07/28/2014
Engineering Excellence Awards competition entry rules, guidelines now available
The rules and guidelines for ACEC Ohio's 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards competition are now available. The deadline for submitting project entries is Friday, October 31.
07/01/2014
Do you know a state legislator or member of Congress?
If you have a relationship with a state legislator or member of Congress, please take a couple of minutes to pass this information on to ACEC Ohio by participating in the Council's Legislative Relationship Survey.
07/01/2014
Improvement in business conditions slow, steady, says new Deltek A/E industry study
Business conditions for A/E firms continue to improve slowly and steadily, but the industry still has not fully recovered from the recession, according to the new Deltek Clarity financial performance survey.
06/05/2014
Ohio Senate okays electronic tolls to pay for replacement of Cincinnati bridge, legislature recesses until fall
The Ohio Senate gave its okay Wednesday to a bill previously passed by the state House of Representatives that allows all-electronic toll collection to finance the reconstruction of the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
03/18/2014
$2.39 billion capital budget introduced in Ohio House
A bill providing $2.39 billion over two years to fund state capital improvements and local school construction was introduced Tuesday in the Ohio House of Representatives.
06/13/2013
ACEC joining in effort to stop "patent trolls" from extorting small businesses
Imagine getting a threatening letter from an attorney half way across the country, demanding that you pay $1,000 per employee for the right to use your document scanner or your Wi-Fi system. If you think it can't happen, think again.
05/23/2013
Survey shows rebound in design industry is for real, outlook is good
Profits earned by engineering and architectural firms last year continued their upward climb from the bottom hit in 2009, indicating the design professions are in real recovery mode, according to a highly regarded national survey.
05/23/2013
Kevin Futryk selected to be new ACEC Ohio lobbyist
Kevin L. Futryk, a partner in Government Advantage Group, LLP, has been selected by the ACEC Ohio Board of Directors to serve as the Council's legislative and executive agency representative.
04/28/2013
Meetings begin on OFCC contract documents
Discussions got underway last week between the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and representatives of the A/E industry regarding problematic provisions included in the new agency's contracts for design services.
04/22/2013
Immediate threat of sales tax on services dead, but danger still exists long-term
The immediate threat of seeing the state sales tax extended to engineering and other business services is dead, but the concept is still very much alive and kicking.
03/23/2013
Ohio's infrastructure gets C- grade from ASCE
The condition of Ohio's infrastructure gets a grade of C-, slightly better than the nation's overall grade of D+, according to the 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, released this week by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
03/07/2013
ACEC tells legislators: Sales tax on engineering will destroy jobs
If the state sales tax is levied on engineering services, Ohio companies will be put at a severe disadvantage with engineering firms outside the state and jobs will be lost.
02/17/2013
Turnpike bonding plan best hope for catching up with highway needs, ACEC Ohio tells legislators
Governor John Kasich's plan to issue highway construction bonds backed by Ohio Turnpike tolls is the only hope the state has of cutting into its backlog of badly needed highway projects anytime soon, ACEC Ohio Executive Director Donald L. Mader told a legislative committee Thursday.
12/28/2012
Utility location law changes passed as curtain drops on legislative session
Before bringing the curtain down on the 129th Ohio General Assembly last week, legislators gave their approval, as expected, to changes in Ohio's underground utility location laws.
12/27/2012
ACEC-AIA delegation meets with leaders of new state construction agency
A delegation of members of ACEC Ohio and AIA Ohio met with representatives of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission on December 19, the first of what was agreed will be a continuing series of liaison meetings between the new agency and the design industry.
12/08/2012
Supreme Court rules CAT revenue from fuel sales must be used for highways
Commercial Activity Tax revenue collected from the sale of motor fuels must be used for highway-related purposes and not diverted to the state's general fund, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Friday.
12/08/2012
Nearly 80 members step up to support ACEC's political action committees
A famous comedian used to quip, "Don't ever give money to politicians – it only encourages them!" That's a funny line, and there's more than a grain of truth in it.
12/07/2012
High court's ruling upholding medical statute of repose bodes well for engineers
Professional engineers and other design professionals can take comfort in the decision handed down Thursday by the Ohio Supreme Court that upholds the state's four-year statute of repose for filing medical practice lawsuits.
12/07/2012
Legislators poised to modify underground utility location laws
Legislation strengthening Ohio's underground utility location laws appears to be on its way to enactment in the final days of the current two-year session of the General Assembly.
12/07/2012
SEC's 'Municipal Advisor' rule has harmful ramifications for engineering companies
Engineering companies that provide utility cash-flow modeling and other advice to municipalities will be faced with onerous new regulatory requirements and restrictions if the Security & Exchange Commission's proposed definition of "municipal advisor" is allowed to stand.
10/19/2012
ACEC Ohio leaders 'represent' at national conference
Several officers of ACEC Ohio attended the national Council's Fall Conference in Boca Raton, Florida, earlier this week.
10/10/2012
Forum will make plain how state, national politics affect your engineering business
If you think state and national politics don't have a significant impact on your engineering company, the Legislative & Political Action Forum that ACEC Ohio is sponsoring on October 29 is certain to dispel you of that notion.
10/09/2012
Private companies may repair county roads without following QBS, competitive bidding laws
A county may allow oil and gas drilling companies or wind farm builders to repair road they use at no cost to the county, and the design and construction of such projects would not be subject to the state's QBS or competitive bidding laws.
06/22/2012
Registration open for PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp
Registration is now open for the highly acclaimed PSMJ Project Managment Bootcamp, which ACEC Ohio will sponsor on October 2 and 3, in Columbus.
06/16/2012
Governor signs legislation creating state public works "super agency"
Before the summer is out, Ohio will have a new "super agency" in charge of developing all non-highway state public works projects, including state-assisted local schools.
05/04/2012
House votes to create new Ohio Facilities Construction Commission
Tucked away in a 2,581-page bill passed by the Ohio House of Representatives on April 25 are a couple dozen pages that would make big changes in the way the state of Ohio builds non-highway capital improvement projects.
04/07/2012
Capital budget signed by governor notable for its omissions
The $1.74 billion two-year capital budget bill signed by Governor John Kasich Monday may be distinguished as much for what it doesn't fund as for those projects it does.
04/06/2012
ODNR could eventually be included in merger of Ohio School Facilities Commission and State Architect
Unlike some other proposals in Governor John Kasich's ambitious "Mid-biennium Review" legislation, the planned merger of the Ohio School Facilities Commission and the Office of the State Architect appears on track for legislative approval.
03/15/2012
Merging Office of State Architect, School Facilities Commission proposed by governor
The Office of the State Architect will be merged with the Ohio School Facilities Commission if Governor John Kasich gets his way.
03/15/2012
First state capital budget in four years proposed by Kasich
A "restrained" $1.74 billion state capital improvements budget – the first in four years – was proposed Wednesday by Governor John Kasich.
03/03/2012
Environmental groups blast proposed clean energy bond issue
A proposal that would require the state to issue $13 billion in bonds for clean energy development, but give the state no control over how the funds are spent, hit a brick wall with environmental groups Thursday.
03/03/2012
Steven R. Bergman, of HDR, nominated to be next ACEC Ohio President
Steven R. Bergman, vice president of HDR, Inc., in Cincinnati, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio effective July 1.
03/02/2012
House 'at a standstill' on transportation spending bill
With less than 30 days remaining before federal funding for highway construction runs out, Congress is no closer to enacting a new surface transportation funding bill than it was a week ago. In fact, today it may be even more of a political uphill climb.
02/27/2012
New project delivery systems now available to state, local governments
State and local government agencies may now make use of sophisticated new public works project delivery systems, thanks to changes in state law enacted last year.
02/24/2012
Welcome to six new member companies!
ACEC Ohio's ranks continue to grow with the addition of six new member companies. Extend a welcome to these new members and consider working with them when possible.
02/23/2012
Senate President makes it clear: no moratorium on 'fracking'
Those calling for Ohio to slap a moratorium on fracking can pretty much forget about it.
02/23/2012
Struggle to pass new federal highway bill changing by the hour
The struggle in to pass a new federal highway funding bill is taking new twists and turns literally by the hour.
11/20/2011
ACEC scores big win with repeal of 3% withholding requirement
Yesterday, Christmas came early for ACEC. With National Council President Dave Raymond looking on, President Obama signed legislation to repeal a tax law that would have required most government agencies to withhold 3 percent from payments made to contractors beginning in 2013.
11/19/2011
Governor says no local projects to be funded in next state capital budget
The state of Ohio's next capital budget will include no funding for local projects such as parks, museums, and recreational facilities, if Governor John Kasich gets his way.
11/04/2011
Rulemaking to implement construction reform law moving ahead, albeit slowly
Slow but steady goes the process of drafting administrative rules that will allow state and local government agencies to use the new public works project delivery methods approved by the Ohio General Assembly last summer.
11/03/2011
Environment & Energy Committee creates five new sub-groups
ACEC Ohio's Environment & Energy Committee is forming five new subcommittees so that the Council can more effectively respond to the wide variety of issues that arise in the environmental arena.
10/26/2011
New publication explains recent amendment of QBS law
The recently enacted amendment of Ohio's Qualifications-Based Selection law for design professionals is explained in a new ACEC Ohio publication.
08/15/2011
Crumbling transportation infrastructure will exact huge economic costs, report warns
The nation’s deteriorating surface transportation infrastructure will cost the American economy more than 870,000 jobs, and suppress the growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product by $3.1 trillion by 2020, according to a new report commissioned by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
08/11/2011
Volunteer now to serve on an ACEC Ohio committee
ACEC Ohio President Robert W. Campbell (TranSystems Corporation) is encouraging all Council members to volunteer to serve on one or more committees of their choice.
08/02/2011
Local governments will benefit from turnpike lease, ODOT director says
Leasing the Ohio Turnpike could be a boon for cities and counties strapped for funds to build local infrastructure projects, Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray said last week.
07/09/2011
Public works construction law massively altered by state budget bill
State and local governments will soon have a number of new project delivery systems available to them thanks to massive changes in Ohio's public works construction law that are included in the new state budget bill signed Thursday by Governor John Kasich.
07/08/2011
Budget bill gives legislature approval authority over possible Turnpike lease
Both houses of the Ohio General Assembly will have to give their permission before the state can proceed with any plan to lease the Ohio Turnpike to a private operator.
07/06/2011
Procurement of design by 'reverse auction' blocked – for now
While ACEC Ohio succeeded in keeping language out of the state budget bill that would have permitted local governments to award A/E contracts by reverse auction, it is likely the battle will have to be fought again in the near future.
07/06/2011
ACEC Ohio wins legislative approval of major QBS law amendment
When Governor John Kasich put his signature on the state budget bill Thursday, he also signed into law a major change in the state's Qualifications-Based Selection law for design professionals.
04/05/2011
PE registration would go on two-year cycle under budget bill proposal
Professional engineers and surveyors would renew their licenses every other year, instead of annually, according to a proposal in the general fund budget bill unveiled last week by Governor John Kasich.
04/05/2011
Massive changes in public works construction law included in Kasich budget proposal
Massive changes in Ohio law governing the design and construction of public works projects are included in the 3,224-page state budget bill proposed by Governor John Kasich last week.
04/04/2011
Budget bill language paves way for leasing of Ohio Turnpike
While no deal for the leasing of the Ohio Turnpike has been struck, language in Governor John Kasich's $55.5 billion biennial budget plan certainly paves the way for the administration to move ahead with the concept.
03/24/2011
Transportation budget bill on its way to Governor's desk
A $7 billion, two-year state transportation budget bill awaits the signature of Governor John Kasich after the Ohio Senate approved the bill Wednesday and the House of Representatives concurred in the Senate's amendments.
03/17/2011
Kasich budget gives agencies alternatives to multiple-prime contracting
Ohio's local governments, schools and institutions of higher education would be permitted to build capital projects using a single-prime contractor, rather than the multiple primes now required in state law, under the state general fund budget proposal unveiled Tuesday by Governor John Kasich.
03/16/2011
Ohio Senate might reverse House-made changes in transportation budget bill
A pair of significant policy initiatives deleted from the Kasich Administration's proposed two-year transportation budget bill passed by the Ohio House of Representatives just might find their way back into the version of the bill being considered in the Ohio Senate.
03/03/2011
Policies favoring union contractors dumped by school facilities panel
Local school districts that want state funds to help pay for building projects may no longer require the use of project labor agreements or the payment of prevailing wages in their construction contracts.
03/03/2011
House Committee may add Public Works funding to transportation budget
The Ohio Public Works Commission will run out of money to build local infrastructure projects that are scheduled for the upcoming construction season if the legislature fails to appropriate additional funds for the program soon, the director of the commission told legislators Monday.
03/02/2011
ODOT director says highway construction program will be reduced
Dwindling gasoline tax receipts will force a reduction in Ohio's highway construction program, but proposals to raise funds from other sources aren't attracting much support during hearings now underway on the state's next two-year transportation budget bill.
02/15/2011
Robert W. Campbell, of TranSystems Corp., nominated to be next ACEC Ohio President
Robert W. Campbell, of TranSystems Corp., Columbus, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio effective July 1.
02/15/2011
Adoption of new building codes stalled by homebuilder opposition
Faced with opposition from homebuilders, proposed updates to the state’s commercial building codes were delayed Monday when the Ohio Board of Building Standards withdrew the proposed code revisions from consideration by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.
02/15/2011
Transportation budget bill to be introduced this week
The state transportation budget bill, the first of several major two-year budgets that must be approved by the Ohio General Assembly before the new state fiscal year begins July 1, is due to be introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives this week.
02/15/2011
Loan program to help companies clean up their own contaminated properties
Companies that want to clean up pollution on their properties now have access to low-interest loan funds, thanks to the reconfiguration of a little-used state brownfield program.
01/18/2011
Former ACEC Ohio members named to state agency posts
Governor John Kasich has named top administrators for most of the state agencies of importance to Ohio engineering companies, and among them are several former ACEC Ohio members.
01/18/2011
Seminar examines cost accounting requirements on federal contracts
If your company has design contracts funded with federal dollars, what you don't know about federal cost accounting standards and limits can cost you dearly.
01/17/2011
ACEC Ohio seeks to resolve fee negotiation issues at Columbus airport
ACEC Ohio is attempting to resolve concerns voiced by member companies regarding fee negotiation practices of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
01/17/2011
Governor considers leasing Ohio Turnpike to private operator
The possibility of leasing the Ohio Turnpike to a private operator will be considered by Governor John Kasich, but the proceeds of any such deal would not be used to help reduce the huge general fund budget shortfall facing the state.
11/23/2010
Shift in political landscape portends big changes for Ohio School Facilities Commission
Republican John Kasich’s victory in the Nov. 2 gubernatorial election almost certainly portends big changes in the way the Ohio School Facilities Commission funds and oversees the construction of local school projects.
11/23/2010
Legislators may again tap gas tax to fund Highway Patrol
Just a few years ago, transportation advocates persuaded Ohio lawmakers to stop funding the operations of the State Highway Patrol out of the proceeds of the state’s motor fuel tax, freeing up well over $100 million for additional highway and bridge construction projects.
03/31/2010
Don't use 'quality contracting' rules to steer contracts, court warns
Government agencies may adopt "quality contracting" rules, but they can't use them to steer contracts to preferred bidders, the Ohio Supreme Court warned in a ruling last week that could be very costly to Franklin County.
03/31/2010
Three projects selected for state construction reform pilot program
Three university building projects of various sizes have been selected to test whether state agencies and educational institutions should be permitted to use an expanded range of project delivery systems for constructing capital facilities.
03/28/2010
ACEC Retirement Trust adds 'IncomeFlex' option
A new investment option that offers the features of both a defined benefit and a defined contribution pension plan is now available through the ACEC Retirement Trust.
03/26/2010
Senate may hold hearings on passenger rail plan
The Republican-controlled Ohio Senate may hold hearings on Governor Ted Strickland's plan to institute passenger rail service in the Cincinnati-Columbus-Cleveland corridor before deciding whether to allow the project to move ahead.
03/11/2010
Special inspections is subject of May 12 ACEC Ohio seminar
Few provisions in the Ohio Building Code are as misunderstood as the requirement for special inspections, which is why ACEC Ohio is sponsoring a half-day seminar on the topic in Columbus on May 12.
03/11/2010
Legislators begin work on state capital budget bill
While Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives are moving forward with development of a new two-year capital improvements budget bill, Republicans in the Ohio Senate are saying, "not so fast."
03/10/2010
Stan Harris, of Stantec, nominated to serve as next ACEC Ohio president
Stan A. Harris, of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., in Cincinnati, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio beginning July 1.
03/09/2010
ACEC Ohio opposes call to divert fuel tax revenue from highway construction
ACEC Ohio will oppose a proposal to amend the Ohio Constitution to remove the requirement that proceeds from the state's motor fuel tax be used only for highway and bridge construction.
02/18/2010
ODOT amends audit guidelines to conform with federal regulations
The Ohio Department of Transportation has amended its controversial Audit Circulars to conform with federal audit guidelines, meaning the state will no longer disallow overhead costs that are permissible under federal guidelines.
02/17/2010
ACEC Ohio member one of two appointees to engineers' licensing board
ACEC Ohio member James D. Mawhorr, P.E., has been appointed to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Surveyors by Governor Ted Strickland.
02/16/2010
Longstanding dispute over liability threatens to derail underground utility protection bill
The latest effort to revise Ohio's underground utility protection law is foundering due to a longstanding dispute over who should bear the responsibility when utility lines are damaged during construction.
12/24/2007
Court strikes down new political contribution law, but appeals possible
Although a Franklin County trial court has struck down controversial campaign finance restrictions adopted in haste by the Ohio General Assembly a year ago, engineering company owners should continue to abide by the law for now, advises ACEC Ohio's legal counsel.
09/28/2007
State-funded schools must meet new "green" design standards
New schools that receive funding from the Ohio School Facilities Commission must be designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, according to new guidelines adopted by the commission Thursday.
09/21/2007
Developers should share cost of highway improvements, Governor says
Private developers whose projects benefit from upgrades in the transportation infrastructure should contribute more to covering costs that taxpayers currently pick up, Governor Ted Strickland said Friday.
07/20/2007
Profits down, overhead up in 2006, survey shows
The average ACEC Ohio member company saw its profits decline and its overhead jump last year, according to the results of the Council�s 2006 Financial Performance Survey.
07/20/2007
General Assembly enacts several major changes in political contribution laws
Just when you thought you had a handle on the new political contribution restrictions adopted by the Ohio General Assembly late last year, the law changes.
03/29/2007
ODOT budget bill contains potential veto targets
Both Republican-controlled houses of the Ohio General Assembly voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a $7.8 billion, two-year budget for the Ohio Department of Transportation, but a pair of provisions in the bill could be killed by line-item vetos when Democratic Governor Ted Strickland sits down to sign the measure later this week.
12/21/2006
Legislature eliminates impediment to electronic plan transmission
Ohio professional engineers will soon be able to electronically transmit an "official" set of plans bearing their digitally encrypted registration seals and signatures thanks to adoption of an ACEC Ohio proposal in the final days of the 126th Ohio General Assembly.
10/06/2006
Bill would force counties to bid engineering contracts
Counties would be required to competitively bid contracts for professional services, including engineering and architecture, if a bill introduced in the Ohio General Assembly were to become law.
08/10/2006
ACEC joins coalition in opposing new fee withholding law
Most government agencies would be required to withhold three percent from all payments for goods and services to secure payment of federal income taxes under a little-noticed provision slipped into tax legislation passed by Congress last year.
01/22/2006
Proposal to restrict retainage on public and private projects reintroduced in Ohio House
Undeterred by their failure to pass a similar bill in the previous General Assembly, subcontractors are again pushing legislation that would limit the withholding of retainage on both public and private construction projects.
01/20/2006
House passes bill to set higher energy efficiency standards for state buildings
Legislation aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of new and existing state buildings and public schools passed in the Ohio House of Representatives January 17.
12/27/2005
Engineering costs eligible for payment under grant program
Site engineering and environmental remediation costs can be paid from grants that will be awarded under the state's new $150 million Job Ready Site program, which was approved by voters in November as part of Issue 1.
11/01/2005
Design of state facilities would be subject to 'green building' rules under proposed law
All new state-funded facilities will be required to be designed and constructed in accordance with "green building" energy efficiency standards if legislation now being considered in the Ohio House of Representatives becomes law.
10/31/2005
Legislature approves moratorium on use of eminent domain
Governor Bob Taft says he expects to sign a bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly last week that would impose a moratorium on the use of eminent domain by state and local governments.
06/24/2005
Commercial Activity Tax adopted by General Assembly
The two-year state budget bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly includes a new, 0.26 percent tax on the annual gross receipts of nearly all businesses in return for elimination or reductions in several other state taxes.
06/13/2005
Those in "responsible charge" of PE and PS services soon must be full-time employees.
Effective May 18, companies that hold a Certificate of Authorization to offer engineering or surveying services must appoint one or more full-time partners, managers, members, officers or directors as being in responsible charge of the firm�s engineering and surveying services.
