Related Links: Biannual Fiscal Survey of States by National Association of State Budget Officers and National Governors' Association As a longtime vocal advocate of smaller government, I am hesitant to ever ask for a tax increase of any kind. However, now is the time for Congress to take unpopular but needed action to raise the gas tax—and not just a little. I'm talking 25¢ or even 50¢ per gallon. There are three reasons why this is clearly the right thing to do.First, there is no denying the rough condition of many roads. Whether you have seen studies by the American

In recent years, we've witnessed a fundamental shift in how architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms implement growth strategies. As once-explosive organic growth has generally ground to a halt, companies have shifted away from using acquisitions to add resources and size to keep up with the market. They now have become highly strategic formarket access and expansion of capabilities. This follows the well-established trend of project owners seeking single-contract solutions with AEC firms that "can do it all."  SIEGELThese strategic acquisitions often have involved smaller specialty firms that can expand the purchaser's capabilities and increase the potential for work. But

SIEGEL The recent news that CDM acquired Wilbur Smith is another example of how the A/E industry is changing. Every deal is different, but I believe that clients’ evolving demands are behind the current merger mania. Clients are reacting to challenges to staffing and oversight by bundling more projects together, and they are looking to have single contracts that encompass a wide variety of services. For example, it is becoming much harder to find clients with separate contracts for civil, structural and geotechnical engineering.Further, many clients are using alternative delivery techniques that put the A/E industry in a different contracting

Some clients have been asking contractors to take on unnecessary risks without providing a significant reward for the risks taken. However, during these economically challenged times, I believe it is in the best interest of the construction industry to stand up for itself and refuse to sign contracts that assign risk without any benefits. SIEGEL Life is full of uncertainties, and we readily take on risk every day the for benefits we receive. For example, driving a car is very risky, and every year more than 40,000 people are killed in car accidents—that’s one person every 13 minutes. Nevertheless, we

Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but I often am asked what I want to see come out of Washington, D.C. I have a simple answer to that question: Please do not make life any harder for me and my company. This is not whining. This is not a tone-deaf CEO asking for his life back. SIEGEL I love my job and my company and gladly put in every hour I work. However, whether well meaning or not, Washington impacts our lives and my company daily. This impact can be neutral, or it can make it harder or easier