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Moving America Forward 2020

2/19/2020

Author: Ati Abad

On Sunday, February 16, 2020, University of Nevada, Las Vegas hosted the first presidential candidate forum on infrastructure. Former Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar, & Tom Steyer shared their perspectives, plans and strategies in addressing the aging infrastructure, jobs, and building a better America. There were five younger members and three students volunteering at this event.

This innovative forum was moderated by Jerry Seib, Executive Washington Editor of The Wall Street Journal, and Jeanne Cummings, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief of The Wall Street Journal. The moderators interviewed the candidates individually before a live audience in 20-25 minutes sessions.

The presidential candidates had the opportunity to address their priorities and challenges facing the aging infrastructure including roads, bridges, transit, railroads, airport, water and wastewater systems. They laid out their vision, plans and strategies for an infrastructure that improves safety and national security, as well as supporting a strong economy.

All four candidates emphasized on the importance of repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure, as well as utilizing the emerging technology for a smarter and more sustainable system. However, none explicitly addressed raising the federal fuel tax as a strategy and identified it as a politically sensitive subject.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ infrastructure report card, the nation earned a D+ for the status of the aging infrastructure with an estimated $2 trillion funding gap for the infrastructure needs. To fill this gap, Biden explained that his plan would be to reverse Trump administration tax cuts on corporations. Klobuchar, on the other hand, is planning on addressing this funding gap through a series of corporate tax reforms. Steyer explained that his strategy would be to raise taxes on certain businesses and consumer, and Buttigieg is planning to use a charge system, such as vehicle-miles-traveled fee and potentially replacing the fuel tax.

While all candidates expressed interest to streamline the permitting process, each expressed a unique approach in streamlining infrastructure projects. Biden explained that he would employ dedicated staff for this purpose and will ensure the process takes the environmental factors into account. Klobuchar’s approach will have a focus on streamlining the regulations with a focus on maintaining safety standards, Steyer highlighted his focus on prioritizing climate changes, and Buttigieg will achieve this by focusing on smarter solutions such as data.

In addition, utilizing technology for both roadways and wastewater management, enhancing transit systems, airport betterment and public transportation projects are among top priorities on all four candidates’ agendas.
This event was organized by the non-partisan group, United for Infrastructure, and the host committee includes the International Union of Operating Engineers; Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO; North America's Building Trades Unions; Transport Workers Union of America; American Society of Civil Engineers; American Public Transportation Association; American Council of Engineering Companies; American Road and Transportation Builders Association; Value of Water Campaign; Association of Equipment Manufacturers; Airports Council International-North America; and Build Together.

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Future cities competition 2019

2/11/2020

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Author: Anabel Hernandez

Members of our YMF Group attended the 2020 Nevada Future Cities Competition on January 11, 2020. This competition encourages our next generation of engineers, 6th to 8th grade, to identify problems, brainstorm ideas, design solutions, test, and build a futuristic city. Our members were able to volunteer as judges and the ASCE YMF Group was able to award the “Best Futuristic City”. This was a successful event and our group is looking forward to participating in future events that empower our future generation of engineers.

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fe rEVIEW COURSE 2019

2/11/2020

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Author: Bert Rivas

ASCE Las Vegas YMF hosted the first FE Review at UNLV. This class provided study material and practice problems to UNLV students. The students were able to get one on one experience about how the FE computerized exam worked by providing them tutorial videos and few practice problems that previous professionals encounter while taking the exam. This was a successful event because once the review was done, students were able to take home a practice problem booklet and ASCE YMF raffle two calculators randomly to students who attend the class. We are hoping to team with UNLV and the UNLV ASCE Student chapter in 2020 to provide once again a FE review class. #FEPASS

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Moving America Forward 2020

Future cities competition 2019

fe rEVIEW COURSE 2019

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