20160317 133435

Remarks to SANDAG Board on Community Benefits Agreement

Good morning Board Members,

My name is Tommy Hough, I’m a San Diego County Planning Commissioner and a resident of Mira Mesa.

I’m excited to hear about the details today, and I just wanted to take a moment to voice my support for the Community Benefits Agreement between SANDAG and the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council.

My father taught collective bargaining at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, and I believe we’re on the right track and on a strong trajectory to ensure we’re getting the best, most verifiable, and most complete work on this agency’s related projects when utilizing a PLA, or Project Labor Agreement, and as an environmentalist I know there’s a strong institutional understanding within the Trades of the variety of environmental dynamics when it comes to these projects.

I think we’re also all aware of the greater seamlessness of work, ability to complete jobs on time and within budget, and community stability and opportunity offered when utilizing PLAs in these spheres, not to mention the use of skilled and trained workers detailed in the presentation.

I’m supportive of this, and I believe you are as well.

Thank you for your time and consideration.