New York State senators to speak on infrastructure at fall conference

NYS senators John DeFrancisco, Joseph Robach, and David Valesky will participate in a panel discussion on New York infrastructure at the 2013 ACEC New York Fall Conference. From September 22 through 24, The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC New York) will host their fall conference at Turning Stone Resort in Verona. On Monday, September 23 at 10 a.m., senators DeFrancisco, Robach, and Valesky will take part in a panel discussion on the future of New York infrastructure, with a focus on the role government and industry will play as the state looks to rebuild its aging infrastructure. The main focus of the discussion will be infrastructure investment. ACEC New York strongly supports investment in New York infrastructure, which will create jobs, increase tax revenues, improve quality of life, and revitalize the state economy. Investment is especially needed in transportation infrastructure where, for every $1 billion invested, 34,000 jobs are created. The senators will address all these points and more, giving insight as to possibilities and challenges in future infrastructure investment. Also on the discussion agenda is the expiration of the design-build project delivery method, which accelerates infrastructure projects, decreases costs and leverages private equity. Design-build was originally authorized in 2011 and is set to expire at the end of 2014. Senators DeFrancisco, Robach and Valesky will address concerns about this project delivery method, as well as their thoughts on extending and expanding design-build. The senators will also discuss the future of New York Works programs, public-private partnerships, alternative funding sources, and improving collaboration between the built-environment industry and government. Senator DeFrancisco was first elected to the NYS senate in 1992 and represents the 50th senate district. Senator DeFrancisco currently serves as chairman of the senate finance committee and is a member of the committees on banks, cities, codes, crime victims, judiciary and labor. Senator Robach was first elected to the NYS senate in 2002 and represents the 56th senatorial district. He previously served in the NYS assembly for 11 years. In the senate, he serves as the chairman of the infrastructure and capital investment committee and also as a member of the standing committees on commerce, economic development and small business; education; energy; finance; higher education; labor and transportation. Senator Valesky was first elected to the NYS senate in November 2004. He represents the 53­rd senate district. Senator Valesky is the deputy leader of the independent Democratic conference. He serves as the chairman of the senate commerce, economic development and small business committee. He is a member of the aging; agriculture; banks; education; higher education; insurance; and rules committees. ACEC New York is a proactive coalition of more than 270 firms representing every discipline of engineering related to the built environment. The ACEC New York Fall Conference will feature a number of educational and networking opportunities. More information on this event, as well as more information on legislative positions, can be found on the ACEC New York website at www.acecny.org. Jay Simson, CAE, is president of ACEC New York, New York, N.Y.