MCAA Regional Report, Region F

Arkansas
No State Chair.

Louisiana
No State Chair.

Oklahoma
The consensus of all suppliers and contractors, that we are in contact with, is that there is more than adequate amount of work to carry all the local contractors through 2007 into 2008. The cornmon problem is having enough labor to man all the work. There is a presence of out-of-state contractors due to work load. We do not see much activity kom the Bricklayers' Union at this time.

Texas
Texas has benefited by its pro business legislature, worldwide medical prominence and oil related activity and has projected a $14 billion dollar surplus in the state budget. Through December 2006 Texas contracts are up 16% k m 2005 and total $65.8 billion, with nonresidential up 24% to $17.5 billion; residential up 6% to $34.8 billion and nonbuilding (streets, highways, bridges, etc.) up 42% to $1 3.5 billion. Houston's overall employment grew by 3%, Austin by 2.8%, DFW by 2.3%, San Antonio by 2.2% and statewide by 2.1%.

The Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex boom should continue with the City of Dallas approving $1.35 billion in bond issues that include vertical construction projects, idastructure work. The private market, health care and hotelslmotels are rebounding. High rise residential projects continue at a brisk pace.

There is a tremendous amount of work in Houston in the energy sector. Multi family will slow down some but should remain healthy. The office market is projected to start construction of 3 million square feet in 2007. Light Industrial/Warehouse is expected to continue its expansion in 2007 with at least 3.5 million square feet started. Hotel and Motel have significant projects planned in all areas other than downtown. Institutional will be excellent with the university systems taking the lead with over $500 million in new projects and renovations. The Texas Medical Center groups plan to add between 4 million and 8 million square feet in the coming five years. K-12 will be good again with $900 million to $1 billion in work.

The $1 billion Maniot PGA Tour resort is underway in San Antonio and a $200 million expansion of the River Walk is in the offing. Almost $420 million will be performed on the four military bases in 2007. Alamo Community College has $450 million of improvements underway.

All signs point to continued strength with downtown redevelopment in Austin and central Texas, large semiconductor facility projects by Samsung and AMD and continuing work from the Austin Independent School District under a $500 million bond program.

East Texas has some work that is primarily industrial based. In addition, a $550 million health-care and quality-of-life project is soon to be announced in Beaumont. The Rio Grande Valley has two high rise residential properties under construction on South Padre Island, existing K-12 bond funds of approximately $1 billion and & $68 million in approved bonds for projects at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Arkansas
No State Chair.

Louisiana
No State Chair.

Oklahoma
We have an active participation in our technology centers who we count on for new trainees that have had training in the masonry industry. It ;has been a challenge to combat the pressure of education not seeing the importance of the trades in the overall picture. As we all know, with the pressure of all the labor markets, this system is crucial to everyone, especially open shop contractors.

Texas
Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston in association with San Jacinto College have 12 apprentices enrolled the bricklaying program. The United Masonry Contractors Association in association with the Construction Education Foundation and Northlake Community College has 62 apprentices in the bricklaying program and an additional 10 apprentices in the newly formed stone masons program. The San Antonio Masonry Association currently has 9 apprentices in their bricklaying program.

Arkansas
No State Chair.

Louisiana
No State Chair.

Oklahoma
No report as of this writing.

Texas
The agenda is 1) limiting the use of contingent payment clauses, 2) prohibiting broad form indemnification clauses, additional insured and waiver of subrogation provisions, 3) requiring standards for the use of consolidated insurance programs, 4) requiring interest on retainage, 5) limiting the use of reverse auctions and 6) workers compensation reform.