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The two main construction trade associations in Oregon don’t always agree on industry issues. But there’s at least one topic that has them on the same side of the table: their expectations about what to expect from lawmakers during the upcoming session of the Oregon Legislature.

While Democrats and Republicans in Salem are expected, to a large degree, to be in agreement on the issues that will need to be tackled once the session begins on Monday, the leaders of local chapters of Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors say they expect there to be wide differences of opinion when it comes to the best fixes for problems such as funding education and transportation projects.

鈥淭here’s no consensus of what we need to be doing,鈥� said Mike Salsgiver, executive director of AGC‘s Oregon-Columbia chapter. 鈥淭he read on what the problems are is pretty clear. They’re just not agreed on what we need to do to fix them.鈥�

The result, according to John Rakowitz, director of public and strategic affairs for AGC’s Oregon-Columbia chapter, is a session that’s going to keep the construction trade groups’ lobbyists on their toes.

鈥淚 see it as a session of great potential downsides and great potential risks,鈥� he said.

While AGC and ABC are holding close their specific strategies for the upcoming session, both groups say their lists of priorities for the session reflect the needs and interests of their members.

At the top of AGC’s list is providing support for Gov. John Kitzhaber‘s education budget, specifically a portion that addresses career tech education. Under the proposed weighted formula, schools that establish career tech programs that meet certain criteria 鈥� including offering students at least three credits in the program and providing certificates recognized by industries such as construction 鈥� would receive money to help sustain the programs, Salsgiver said.

Kitzhaber’s education budget already has received pushback from the teacher’s union, according to Rakowitz.

鈥淭his (plan) is not without controversy,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is a budget that says the state is now going to incentivize (schools) if you do certain things, like offer career tech ed.鈥�

The ongoing search for funding to create a more stable pot of money for transportation-related new construction and maintenance also is something AGC is paying close attention to during the session, Salsgiver said.

Players in Salem already are butting heads over transportation funding. Earlier this week, Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, told reporters gathered for a media day at the Capitol that he doubted the session would result in a package to pay for new transportation projects and maintenance of existing infrastructure such as roads.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, has said she believes getting a transportation funding bill passed this session is a priority.

A funding package for transportation is less of a session concern for ABC, which has few members who work in that specific sector, said Laurie Kendall, executive director of the organization’s Pacific Northwest chapter.

Instead, the organization 鈥� which promotes an open, or merit-shop, approach to business 鈥� and its lobbyist Shawn Miller will keep a close watch on several bills related to apprenticeships.

ABC also is focusing its efforts in Salem on Senate Bill 137 and House Bill 2540, which address the expansion of prevailing wage on private projects that receive a portion of funding for a city, county or state government agency.

Kendall’s and Salsgiver’s organizations will realign when it comes to the topic of public contracting and a handful of issues that could affect businesses in general, including the possibility of legislators pushing a bill on statewide paid sick leave.

鈥淲e’re watching everything,鈥� Kendall said. 鈥淲e’re readying our members. 鈥� Their voices are the most important part. If (legislators) can hear (a message) from a contractor (or) a business owner, that has 10 times more impact.鈥�

Even before the official first day of the session, Kendall’s group has been passing advice on to its members, getting them ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice to contact their district legislators 鈥� with emails, phone calls and letters 鈥� to make their voices heard. The trade group also is planning a Legislature day, when ABC members will have an opportunity to travel to Salem to meet with legislators.