Author Archives:
California Business Leaders Speak Out on the Economy
Graniterock
Monday, April 9, 2012, 3:16 pm
The California Federation of Commerce and Education released its 2012 survey of business executives. Business executives are slightly more optimistic about the State’s economy as well as the prospects for their own businesses. But they continue to have a poor outlook on the long-term California business climate, mainly citing overregulation as the main problem. Eighty [...]
CONGRESS PASSES 90-DAY TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION
Graniterock
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 2:19 pm
Facing expiration of the latest extension of highway spending authorization on Saturday, March 31, the House and Senate passed a 90-day extension (the 9th) allowing for funding of the highway and transit programs and collection of the federal motor fuels taxes (the gas tax) to continue through the end of June. The bill will now [...]
Permeable Aggregate Systems for Playing Fields
Graniterock
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 12:57 pm
It’s no doubt that synthetic athletic fields are becoming more popular. Organizations that decide to install synthetic fields have realized lower maintenance costs and better playability. Using a sophisticated system of drainage channels, filter fabrics and specialized aggregate, a well-designed field draws water quickly from the turf layer allowing year-round play and reliable playability in [...]
Tender Asphalt Mixes – Causes and Cures
Graniterock
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 1:38 pm
A“tender” asphalt mix usually refers to a mix that is difficult to compact. It may have a tendency to shove under the roller wheels and/ or leave longitudinal cracks at the edge of the steel drums. Either a lack of friction between particles or a lack of shear strength in the mix essentially causes tenderness. [...]
Fog Sealing Older Pavements
Graniterock
Sunday, February 19, 2012, 9:27 pm
In its “A Basic Asphalt Emulsion Manual”, the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association and the Asphalt Institute describe a fog seal as a “light application of slow-setting emulsion sprayed on an existing asphalt surface.” Properly applied and applied at the right time, a fog seal can be a valuable aid in the maintenance of an asphalt pavement. [...]
Tender Pavements
Graniterock
Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 8:06 am
A tender or slow-setting asphalt pavement is defined as one that scuffs under horizontally applied shearing loads after compaction has been completed, such as when power steering turns are made by a stationary vehicle. There are several causes of “tender pavements” including a faulty mix design, low compaction, and liquid asphalt saturation. Although each of [...]
Trouble Brewing…the Disaster of California State Pensions
Graniterock
Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 3:44 pm
Trouble Brewing… The Disaster of California State Pensions By Stuart Buck, Distinguished Doctoral Fellow, Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas, (abridged) California has promised its public employees lavish pensions and retiree health benefits without setting aside nearly enough money to pay for those benefits. As a result, California already admits to a $75.5 [...]
Be Aware: New Sales and Use Tax Rates and Changes in Vehicle Registration Renewals
Graniterock
Monday, July 4, 2011, 12:40 pm
Effective July 1, 2011, the statewide sales and use tax rate is set to decrease from 8.25% to 7.25%. In municipalities where there are voter-approved district taxes, the total tax related to sales will be the statewide base tax rate of 7.25% plus the applicable district tax. Please see http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/Pending_Rates-07-11.pdf for a complete list of [...]
E-Mail Expectations
Graniterock
Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 1:15 pm
E-MAIL EXPECTATIONS – DO YOU RESPOND IN ONE DAY OR LESS? In a recent survey of the general public, adults aged 18 – 64 were asked about how quickly they believe an e-mail message deserves a response. Fifty-six percent said “within the same day” and 12% said more than one day. Thirty-two percent had no [...]
New iPhone App: Graniterock Construction Calculator!
Graniterock
Thursday, March 31, 2011, 7:24 am
You can now calculate right from the job site the correct amount of the high-quality Graniterock Products to do your job. Get your free download of the Graniterock iPhone App Version 1.0 Construction Calculator, now available in a convenient form right from your phone. Check it out!
