Government Relations

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To learn more about this committee, please read the attached polcies and procedures in the committee files section of this page. If you are interested in participating in this committee, please contact [email protected].

See Related News below for more details about recent Government Relations Committee activities.

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Past Society President Andy Herman on 60-Minutes

December 8, 2010 at Senator Lou Correa's Holiday Open House

(from left to right) Mr. Max Madrid, a retired Marine and currently with the Senator as an Staff/Advisor, Mojgan Hashemi ASCE OC Government Relations Committee member, officer Ron Miller (GySgt) of the Marine Corps Reserve at Camp Pendleton who is heading the Toys for Tots cause in South Orange County (www.toysfortots.org), and the Senator Lou Correa.

Resolutions

Resolution of the ASCE -OC in support of Extension of the State Route 91 Toll Lanes to Interstate 15 (PDF File)

ASCE Legislative Visit 2008

Legislative Visit 2008

Visiting Senator Dick Ackerman - Left to right: Ziad, Dick, Josue, and Gary.

Legislative Visit 2008

The ASCE delegation in front of the Sacramento Capitol.

Robert and Darren in the Halls of the Capitol.

ASCE Legislative Visit 2007

OC legislative representatives with Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman. From left to right: Durry Atassi, Ziad Mazboudi, Gary Gilbert and Grace Lee.

Contacts

Ravi Shah, PE
Government Relations Co-Chair
Mark Thomas & Company
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Phone: 949-477-9000 x 3953

Ken Bui, PE
Government Relations Co-Chair
Jacobs
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Phone: 949-224-7879

Committee Files

The Platinum Rule

By Elizabeth Ruedas, EIT THE PLATINUM RULE "Treat others the way they want to be treated." Although an effective way to get small children to behave, "treat others the way you want to be treated" sets us up to be ineffective communicators in the long run. We know that communication, or the lack thereof, is at the center of all good and bad relationships, whether it be at work or in our personal life. Similarly, we all like to receive information differently and perform best when those needs are met. Therefore, tailoring our message to meet the needs of others will not only help us become effective communicators, but strengthen relationships, improve performance, and minimize conflict.

America's Infrastructure

“Our nation and economy can no longer afford to wait to restore and rebuild our nation’s infrastructure." - Norma Jean Mattei, ASCE President By Elizabeth Ruedas, EIT America's infrastructure was a major topic of discussion prior to the recent election and has been brought to the forefront once again after the March 9th release of ASCE's 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Similarly, it was the major issue discussed in Washington, D.C. during the ASCE Legislative Fly-In earlier this month. Let us vow to keep the discussion going, as our nation, economy and future depend on it!

The Passage of WRDA 2016

By: Isamar Escobar, EIT Back in March of this year, ASCE members from across the nation travelled to Washington D.C. to meet with their state legislators. Each year, ASCE selects specific issues, which generally have active bill in the House and/or Senate.

Independence Day

By: Ken G. Bui, PE, M.ASCE As I reflect on our Independence Day – July 4th, I am very grateful for America … as one talk radio host would say: “the greatest country on God’s Green Earth!” ... Our Government Relations Committee, following the lead of Society, is reaching out to local and state elected officials to advocate for infrastructure spending. We recognize the need for the nation, as a whole, to invest in our infrastructure … to maintain, as well as expand, and stay “the greatest country on God’s Green Earth!” Please stay informed and work with Society to be advocates for infrastructure.

California's Road User Charge Pilot

As I travel around throughout California, I notice that the road conditions change drastically from one area to the next. In 2012, ASCE Region 9 released it’s most recent California Infrastructure Report Card giving Transportation a C- letter grade. At the time of the report, the California Streets and Roads Needs Assessment rated the overall Pavement Condition Index (PCI) across the state to be just 66 on a 100 point scale. Assuming funding levels would remain steady, Caltrans projected continued deferred maintenance and preservation activities would result in the PCI would dropping to 54 and the funding shortfall to increase from $39.1 billion to $63.6 billion by 2020. By Steven L. King, P.E.

ASCE Legislative Fly-In

By: Isamar Escobar On March 15-16, ASCE’s annual Legislative Fly-In took place in Washington D.C. and included a pre-conference Younger Member Program, a legislative briefing facilitated by ASCE Government Affairs, and constituent visits with state legislators. The two-day event consisted of 200 ASCE representatives from 49 states, including ASCE leadership, general members, and younger members - with several attending from the ASCE OC Branch!