Here is a time-stamped breakdown of the video to make it easier to find the sections of interest to you: [Read more…]
NYSSPE Legislative Update January 2017 – Unethical and Unlawful Practice of Engineering in New York
January 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
NYSSPE Legislative Update December 2016 – Post Election NYS Legislature Breakdown
December 13, 2016 By Leave a Comment
NYSSPE Legislative Update December 2016 – Parking Garage Inspections Legislation Vetoed
December 8, 2016 By 2 Comments
McLaren Engineering Group Completes Study for Possible Gondola in Albany
November 18, 2016 By Leave a Comment
McLaren Engineering Group has completed a technical feasibility study for a Gondola in the Capital District. McLaren Engineering Group and its partners have completed a technical feasibility study for an aerial gondola that would connect the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station to downtown Albany, providing a new, reliable and efficient transportation option for commuters, visitors and tourists. The project team found that a Capital District Gondola is technically feasible and constructible with minimal impacts, and has strong support from local stakeholders.
The study, which was launched in July 2016 focused on a one-mile long operating corridor that would begin at the Amtrak Station and across the Hudson River to a station on South Pearl Street near the city’s arena; Times Union Center. The gondola would then continue to the Empire State Plaza. 
“The findings to date have exceeded our expectations. A new gondola system can be built that will connect the 825,000 people arriving and departing each year at the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station to three important destinations: downtown Albany, the Albany Capital Center and the Empire State Plaza,” said Peter Melewski, P.E., National Director of Strategic Planning, McLaren Engineering Group. “Building off these initial findings, our project team will continue to work closely with stakeholders to secure funding, continue ridership and rider cost analysis, advance the design, and obtain necessary reviews and approvals.” [Read more…]
NYSSPE NYC Lobby Law Update September 2016 and FAQ
September 28, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The above NYSSPE legislative video discusses the 2013 revisions made to the New York City Lobby Law, which may be implemented in the near future. Many engineering companies are concerned that these revisions may hamper their ability to communicate effectively with officials, as they broaden the definition of lobbying.
Click here for a full FAQ on lobbying for architects and engineers and please comment below this video with your thoughts on this issue, so we at The New York State of Professional Engineers, can consider your opinions and experiences on this issue when we make our decisions moving forward.
CLARIFICATION ON 9-30-16
To be clear the New York City law is presently in effect and in a number of respects parallels the state law. However, the laws do have material differences. An engineer or architect must comply with each law on a stand alone basis. Each law must be independently analyzed to determine whether a lobbying registration requirement (or restriction) is triggered. This can result in the need for filing in both jurisdictions or solely in one jurisdiction. Efforts are underway to amend the laws to offer an integrated approach statewide. NYSSPE is assisting in this effort. Currently in New York City architects, engineers, and their respective firms are only required to register with the NYC Clerk’s Office if they anticipate earning or incurring more than $10,000 for lobbying activity. The New York State threshold is $5,000. An amnesty program in New York City has recently expired. The statewide amnesty program expires on September 30, 2016. More information about the statewide program can be found at: http://www.jcope.ny.gov/pubs/
NYSSPE on the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Goals in New York State
August 31, 2016 By 2 Comments
The above NYSSPE legislative video discusses a recent push by the governor’s office to increase the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) goals for state projects in New York State. We have received many comments on this issue from both MWBE and non-MWBE entities. This video covers some of the benefits and possible pitfalls to an MWBE goal that is too high and too low. [Read more…]
NYSSPE Commends the Attorney General for the 50-Count Indictment over Forged Superstorm Sandy Engineering Reports
August 18, 2016 By 5 Comments
The New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced a 50-count indictment charging Matthew Pappalardo (not a NYS licensed engineer) and his former employer, HiRise Engineering, P.C. with allegedly altering engineering reports prepared in connection with the assessment of structural damage of residential properties resulting from Superstorm Sandy.
NYSSPE commends Attorney General Schneiderman on his action and hopes this is the beginning of more aggressive action against engineering malpractice which NYSSPE believes is happening throughout the State. In this specific case, there were several NYSSPE members whose reports were altered. [Read more…]
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) for Engineering Services
July 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The video above showcases clips from a session on Qualification Based Selection (QBS) at the 2016 National Society of Professional Engineers conference in Dallas Texas. The session was given by Jeffrey Hancock, PE of SMH Consultants, and this video was created by NYSSPE and published with his permission.
Qualification Based Selection (QBS) is a two-step competitive professional selection process. The process is based on evaluating the experience, capabilities, and technical skills of an engineer or engineering firm in relation to the needs of a specific project.
Forty-six states including New York have implemented QBS law, and numerous localities have also adopted laws based on the federal guidelines.
The New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) is a proponent of QBS and will continue to be a voice for QBS in New York State.
NYSSPE Legislative Update July 2016 – Spring Legislative Session Summary
July 5, 2016 By 2 Comments
Anthony Fasano PE, Executive Director of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) speaks with Mark Kriss, Esq., NYSSPE legislative counsel, in a legislative video summary of the 2016 spring legislative session. This summary provides the final results of the three main issues covered in our previous NYSSPE legislative videos: parking garages, fingerprinting, and NYC Design-Build. The following information describes the outcome of each topic further in detail, and provides the time stamps for the location of each topic in the video.
Parking Garage Inspections (0:29):
NYSSPE assisted in the passing of a bill which will require regular inspections for parking garages in New York. The intent of this bill is to protect the public health and safety of individuals at risk to parking garage collapses. This bill has passed both houses and NYSSPE expects that this bill will be signed by the governor.
