Engineering Inc. - September/October 2008 - 17

Empowering Imagination. aggressive stance from Sen. McCain on the need to invest more in transportation and environmental infrastructure.” At the same time, Hall adds: “We like the fact that McCain has a strong record supporting the private sector on tax reform, health care, regulatory relief, contracting out and other business issues.” The debate is even evident between the candidates’ home states. ACEC/Illinois Executive Director David Kennedy, for example, sees a lot of industry positives in an Obama victory. “We are spending a great deal of money on the war in Iraq and on that country’s reconstruction, yet we are underfunding infrastructure here at home,” says Kennedy. “I think an Obama administration could result in a lot of new work opportunities brought about by new policies on energy development, addressing global warming and other environmental issues, working with a Democratic Congress on a new transportation reauthorization bill and funding the Water Resources Development Act along with other infrastructure programs.” Meanwhile, in McCain’s home state of Arizona, ACEC/ National Director Ken Feyen notes what engineering firms can expect from a McCain administration. “I think the first thing you should recognize is that John McCain always has supported small business and entrepreneurship,” Feyen says. “He believes entrepreneurship creates the ultimate job security and individual wealth. Sen. McCain supports tax relief for the small business, including a first-year deduction or expensing of equipment and technology. He also would establish a permanent tax credit equal to 10 percent of wages spent on R&D. He also would reduce the corporate tax rate, which is essential to keeping jobs in the United States and stimulating the economy.” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also is cochairman of the Build America’s Future coalition, believes the nation’s transportation infrastructure outlook should be a higher priority for both campaigns. “We have the opportunity to get the stimulus right this time if we take a different approach: putting more Americans to work building the infrastructure we need to compete in the global economy and to remain the world’s economic superpower,” Bloomberg says. “Investing in these kinds of projects across the country would reduce unemployment; increase revenue for cities and states that are struggling to balance their books; and attract billions in private investment over the next few decades.” ACEC President Dave Raymond sums up the challenge for the engineering industry presented by the election as follows: “Looking after the fundamental health and safety of the public and the growth of our economy is ACEC’s common ground with both candidates. The central question for us in the outcome of the election is whether we start with an Obama higher government spending approach and then seek to protect ourselves on the tax and regulatory front, or with a McCain lower government spending approach and then seek to inject more infrastructure spending into it.” n Stacy Collett is a freelance business writer based in Downer’s Grove, Ill. sEptEmbER / oCtobER 2008 ENGINEERING INC. 17
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Engineering Inc. - September/October 2008

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