Engineering Inc. - January/February 2004 - 4

ASK MEMBERS What political issue is most important to you as an engineer?
The most I believe tort Rebuilding is upheld and investments are important
reform is the America's made for future development. political issue single
most infrastructure Chuck Warbington for engineers important is the most
Pond & Company Atlanta, Ga. is the contin- issue facing impor tant uance
of not only our issue. We Qualifica- profession, know better There are
tions-Based Selection QBS but the American economy today. than anyone that
too many of several issues and the availability of sufficient Rising
professional liability insur- our bridges, roads, airports, tran- in the
engi- work. Managing pressures from ance, as well as skyrocketing sit
systems, energy systems, water neering indus- increased price competition
from health insurance costs, directly infrastructure, and buildings are
try to be con- outside the U.S. as well as affect all of us. Our economy
will old, inadequate, inefficient, fronted in the demands to maintain the
stan- continue to struggle until Congress poorly maintained, and unneces-
upcoming dard of living within the can address issues such as: limiting
sarily vulnerable to terrorist election year. As a transportation U.S. are
becoming more diffi- punitive damages from runaway attack and natural
disasters. The engineer, I would like to voice my cult. This is reflected
in the juries, reforming production lia- economic vitality and security of
opinion in my field of expertise. deficits in almost all public bility,
limiting class action law- our nation depends on a healthy, The
transportation infrastructure agencies, and also has been com- suits and
assigning liability with- efficient, and disaster-resilient is the artery
of our economy that pounded by the recent recession. out finding fault.
infrastructure. The cost is high, moves people and goods everyday. As a
result, there is increased Jeff Arnold the benefits are extraordinary,
Unfortunately, the Federal High- pressure on pricing, which American
Engineers Inc. and the need for significant and Glasgow, Ky. way
Administration FHWA has results in significant commoditi- persistent
funding each year is recently rated the nation's infra- zation of all
services and mandatory. structure below average with a products. Chris D.
Poland Funding for grade of `D'. This is due to the fact C.K. Satyapriya
Degenkolb Engineers San Francisco, Calif. infrastructure that we have
ignored the mainte- CTL Engineering, Inc. Columbus, Ohio is THE issue.
nance and upgrading of our infra- The reautho- structure in the past two
decades. One of the rization of Consequently, reauthorization of As we
head most impor- TEA-21 has TEA-21 , with sufficient funds into 2004, tant
issues not come $375 billion over the next six the most concer ning through
and WRDA-2003 has years is vital to our economy, impor tant the engi- been
held up. Federal budgets for safety and security, and the most political
neering some agencies have not been important issue. issue is to industry
in approved and they are working Reza Marshal balance the the 2004
election is the com- under Continuing Resolutions Maser Consulting P.A.
Hamilton Square, N.J. nation's considerable infrastruc- mitment to funding
infrastruc- unsure about the future of their ture funding requirements ture
improvements during a programs. State and local agencies, without the need
to increase tight fiscal year. Water, sewer, including transportation and
pub- taxes. Educating Congress, the roads, bridges, etc., are the lic
works departments, also are fac- President, and the public on the backbone
of American society. ing funding difficulties. This issue If you would like
to participate impact of the infrastructure As a result, the engineering
surpasses all others for our industry, in Ask Members, contact needs will
continue to be a industry, together with our because it directly affects
our Andrea Keeney at akeeney@ challenge. local, state, and federal
leaders, clients' ability to serve the public. acec.org, and you will be
Ed Dedeaux must be willing to take the Joan Freitag included in our data
bank Allen & Hoshall appropriate measures to ensure Hanson Professional
Services Inc. for inquir y. Ridgeland, Miss. Spring field, Ill. that the
integrity of these systems 4 ENGINEERING INC. J a n u a r y l February
2004
Engineering Inc. - January/February 2004

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