Credit goes to ASCE Texas Section’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) for another successful event!  The 2019 ASCE Texas Legislative Drive-In was held on February 26^th in Austin, Texas.  We had 54 members who were able to schedule more than 70 individual meetings with their respective senators and representatives!  ASCE Texas Section presented a unified message regarding several issues, including flood planning, infrastructure support, Qualification Based Selection (QBS), and Sunset Committee legislation. While we did not realize representation from each branch, we had more than double the participation from last session and are gaining momentum for the next session.  Please mark your calendars for 2021 as we will continue to grow this important event.  Thank you again to the GAC for your tireless effort putting our program together.

More kudos go to the GAC for also preparing a response to the governor’s “State of the State” address. The Committee’s response was published in the Austin American-Statesman. If you are interested, you may read it here.

Next up is the 2019 ASCE Texas Student Symposium hosted by ASCE Texas Section’s University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Student Chapter in South Padre Island on April 10-13, 2019.  UTRGV students are putting the finishing touches on the program that promises to be full of activities for professionals and students.  Make plans to attend the Symposium by registering here. There are also still opportunities to sponsor or participate in the Symposium Career Fair. Imagine having three days to meet with over 400 of tomorrow’s leaders in one location!  Sign up to sponsor today.

Invest in yourself and participate in your local branch’s activities.

Art Clendenin, PE

Texas Section President (105^th) 2018-2019