Public Policy Update: Not a Quiet Summer

AGC CEO Vicki Mora along with staffers, Jackie Gonzalez and John Horton attended the NAIOP Mayoral Forum Monday, August 24 at the Albuquerque Marriott Hotel. Along with almost 600 other attendees and an unknown number listening over the live radio feed the group heard candidates, Richard Berry, Richard Romero and incumbent Mayor Martin Chavez respond to questions from the development, property management, apartment, and construction industry members in attendance. There was no clear winner—based upon applause, but it seemed to this writer based upon the enthusiasm shown in clapping, the group present at that luncheon supports Mayor Chavez, followed by Romero and Berry in that order. Pick your candidate and vote early.

Using AGC’s ‘voter voice’ grassroots software the New Mexico Building Education Congress (“NMBEC”) Board received 260 letters of support of their proposed charter school in advance of the schools presentation before the Public Education Commission on Wednesday, August 26. The letters were written by 26 AGC members with one going to each of the ten Public Education Commission members who will ultimately decide if the school with be authorized to open in 2010. Many ‘thanks’ to those of you who responded.

A recent conversation with Public Schools Facilities Authority Director, Robert Gorrell, yielded some predictions: there will be a move in public school construction back toward ‘design/bid/ build’ and away from the rapid project delivery method available to school districts because these districts see advantage in the current market in forcing the ‘low bid’ out of contractors; there will be a further attack upon the state permanent fund to fund operations of government and construction; capital outlay spending in 2009 and 2010 will face further cancellations due to the need for a ‘special session’ in October and the revenue predictions for 2010; and New Mexico’s PSFA programs and use of software in management of construction projects may become a model for other states across the nation.

October 6th is the date for Albuquerque citizens to vote to extend the 1/4¢ Gross Receipts Tax for the Infrastructure and Transportation Program to fund basic repair and rehabilitation of city roads. The Mayor’s office reports the program has been effective in the last ten years in maintaining city roads and increasing public transportation options. If the proposal passes in October it extends an existing tax, not creating a new tax, and the revenue generated at the rate of $.25 for every $100.00 in gross receipts will serve to protect gains achieved over the last ten years.

Bring your public policy comments and issues to the AGC Strategic Planning meeting in San Francisco in September. If you don’t plan to attend, send your concerns or comments to AGC’s Director of Public Policy, John Horton[1].

Posted August 28, 2009