Jim Riley, Director, Government Affairs
John Boling, Director, Government Affairs
Joe Colaneri, Director, Government Affairs
Patricia Maeder, Division Coordinator
www.nssga.org
Action Center
e-Digest
- HOUSE REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS ELECT UNDERDOGS IN LEADERSHIP CONTESTS
- BUSH ADMINISTRATION RELEASES FY '07 BUDGET
- MINE SAFETY "STAND DOWN" FOR COAL MINES ORDERED
- SENATE POISED TO DEBATE ASBESTOS TRUST FUND BILL
- NSSGA FILES COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO HOUSE NEPA TASK FORCE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- SENATE PASSES TAX RECONCILIATION BILL; CONFERENCE WITH HOUSE LOOMS
- CONGRESS PASSES BUDGET RECONCILLIATION BILL AGAIN
- 79 SIGNATURES OBTAINED ON LETTER URGING SENATE ACTION ON WATER BILL
- NSSGA JOINS TCC PARTNERS IN MEETING WITH BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS
- SAVE THE DATES: FIRST NSSGA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS FORUM SET FOR BALTIMORE IN NOVEMBER
- ENHANCE YOUR COMPANY'S GRASSROOTS NETWORK THROUGH THE "AGGREGATES IN ACTION" SEMINAR AT NSSGA'S ANNUAL CONVENTION
HOUSE REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS ELECT UNDERDOGS IN LEADERSHIP CONTESTS
House Republicans and Democrats defied conventional wisdom and elected candidates considered to be underdogs in their races against well-established frontrunners for the posts.
On the GOP side of the aisle, Majority Whip and Acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt (Mo.) had claimed for weeks to have enough public endorsements and private commitments to secure the Majority Leader post permanently on the first ballot. When the votes were counted in that round, however, he was seven votes short of the 117 needed for victory. Rep. John Boehner (Ohio) was second in the balloting with 79 votes and Rep. John Shadegg (Ariz.) was third with 40 votes. Shadegg withdrew and the second round of voting proceeded as a one-on-one match-up between Blunt and Boehner. Boehner picked up all of Shadegg's support, the two write-in votes from the first round and one Blunt supporter for a total of 122 votes and victory, immediately assuming the post. Rep. Blunt did not relinquish his job as Majority Whip in his run for the Majority Leader spot and announced he would remain as Majority Whip.
The election for Republican Policy Committee chairman, did not offer any upsets. Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.), considered the front-runner for the job given up by Shadegg to run for Majority Leader, won a four-way contest on the second ballot. Putnam now assumes the fifth highest office among House Republicans at the age of 31.
The Democratic contest for the Caucus Vice Chairman slot, vacated when Rep. Jim Clyburn (S.C.) assumed the chairmanship, began with Rep. Joe Crowley (N.Y.) as the heir apparent and Rep. Janice Schakowsky (Ill.) perceived as his main opponent. Once again, the failure of a frontrunner to capture the post on the first ballot allowed the second place finisher to pick up support in the second round. In this instance, Rep. John Larson (Conn.) came from behind and picked up a majority of the supporters of Schakowsky who finished a surprising third in the first round of voting. Larson claimed the post on a vote of 116 to 87 on the second ballot over Crowley.
NSSGA congratulates Reps. Boehner, Putnam and Larson and looks forward to working with them in their new roles to advance issues important to the aggregates industry.
BUSH ADMINISTRATION RELEASES FY '07 BUDGET
The Bush administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2007, sent to Capitol Hill on Feb. 6, contains some good and some not-so-good news for the for the transportation construction industries. While highway and transit funding are right in line with, or a little better than, what was authorized under last year's surface transportation program reauthorization, there are concerns that funding requests for aviation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fall short.
President Bush's proposed $2.7 trillion budget funds both discretionary (those that Congress funds each year) and mandatory spending programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, with the latter taking the bulk of funds. More than 140 programs are targeted for termination or substantial reductions for savings of $14.5 billion next year. Despite the austere budget proposal, the deficit is expected to approach $400 billion due to the ongoing war and reconstruction of the hurricane damaged Gulf Coast.
The request for federal highway programs in the budget is $39.06 billion for FY '07. This is $3.4 billion more than last year and follows what was recommended in the 2005 authorization bill, SAFETEA-LU. Transit funding was set at $18.875 billion, $370 million more than last year and also in line with SAFETEA-LU. However, the request for aviation programs came in at $12.2 billion, a $2.1 billion cut from FY 2006. The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) receives only $2.75 billion, $765 million less than last year and almost $1 billion less than the amount authorized.
For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the administration asked for $4.733 billion for the civil works program. The budget request is above last years request, but about $600 million short of what Congress eventually appropriated for the Army Corps. This budget continues a long-standing tradition of cutting the Corps program knowing Congress will add the funds back. NSSGA will work to ensure that the AIP is funded at the authorized amount and the Army Corps of Engineers is adequately funded to meet the nation's needs.
MINE SAFETY "STAND DOWN" FOR COAL MINES ORDERED
The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) held a time-out, or "Stand Down for Safety," on Mon., Feb. 6 in the wake of the recent deaths in West Virginia coal mines. MSHA also deployed additional mine safety inspectors to West Virginia to respond to an unusually high number of mine fatalities in that state this year.
While the mine stand down currently affects only the coal mining sector, the metal/non-metal sector is expected to receive closer scrutiny in the future. NSSGA filed a statement for the record at a recent Senate mine safety oversight hearing. The Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety chaired by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) has announced a Feb. 15 roundtable on mine safety and the full Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is expected to hold an early March hearing on mine safety. The House is moving more slowly due to the recent leadership shuffle, which led to the elevation of House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio) to the post of Majority Leader and left the committee temporarily without a chairman.
NSSGA will continue to keep members informed of developments. Click here to read NSSGA's statement to the Senate Committee.
SENATE POISED TO DEBATE ASBESTOS TRUST FUND BILL
After many fits and starts over the past decade the Senate seems ready to begin debate on legislation that would create a trust fund to recompense victims of asbestos-related illness in lieu of ongoing litigation in individual cases. The bill, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), must still run a major political gauntlet of procedure, politics, and substance and there is no assurance of success - but that is the plan.
For many years, NSSGA has been in the forefront of efforts to protect our industry's interests as the bill moved through the Senate. We have successfully maneuvered through some very contentious issues, ensuring the accurate definition of asbestos, yet some serious problems remain. Of particular concern is language in the bill potentially linking asbestos and silica tort litigation and an amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) during Senate Judiciary Committee consideration of the bill regarding a study to determine the presence of naturally occurring asbestos. NSSGA is continuing to work to ensure that aggregates are not compromised in any way by this legislation. You may be certain of our ongoing vigilance and aggressive advocacy as this process continues.
NSSGA FILES COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO HOUSE NEPA TASK FORCE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In response to the House Task Force on Updating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) initial Findings and Recommendations, NSSGA filed comments on Feb. 1. NSSGA lauded the Task Force's effort and urged them to continue to make needed changes to the act. NSSGA was particularly gratified that the recommendations propose establishing timelines for submission of NEPA reviews. Too often, NSSGA members have testified, NEPA is used as a tool for delay. As a result, needed and legitimate projects are never undertaken.
NSSGA thanks those members who took time to testify at the Task Force field hearings around the country and to all of those who filed comments. Click here to read NSSGA's latest submission to the Task Force. Please contact Government Affairs with any questions.
SENATE PASSES TAX RECONCILIATION BILL; CONFERENCE WITH HOUSE LOOMS
Late last week the Senate approved S. 2020, that chamber's version of the tax cutting budget reconciliation bill and set the stage for a high profile conference with the House over controversial tax cuts including changes to the alternative minimum tax and extension in reductions to capital gains cuts due to expire in several years.
Of interest to the mining industry was an amendment offered by Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) to ease the burden on coal companies taking new safety measures in the wake of the recent mine accidents. The amendment would allow those companies to immediately expense half the cost of new safety equipment and provide a $10,000 credit for each employee a company has trained as a mine rescue team member. The provisions will apply to all underground mines, not just coal mines.
NSSGA will be following the progress of the tax reconciliation bill with considerable interest given its impact on national tax policy and the budget process.
CONGRESS PASSES BUDGET RECONCILLIATION BILL AGAIN
Last week the House passed a budget-cutting reconciliation plan again, although the 216 to 214 vote was closer this time around. The revote was necessary due to the Senate tweaking an earlier version approved by the House in December. The Senate passed their version on a 51 to 50 vote, calling in Vice President Dick Cheney to break the tie on December 21. The budget reconciliation bill will reduce future spending on entitlement programs like the student loan programs and Medicaid by $39 billion. Additionally, Congress has not curbed entitlement spending since 1997. The reductions in future spending will not affect any of the transportation infrastructure programs.
79 SIGNATURES OBTAINED ON LETTER URGING SENATE ACTION ON WATER BILL
The Senate has yet to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2005 (WRDA). In the effort to achieve Senate passage of the bill, the National Waterways Conference, Inc., of which NSSGA is a participant, is assisting Senate sponsors of the bill in obtaining signatures on a letter urging action. Seventy-nine Senators have signed the letter and 80 signatures are anticipated before it is sent to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation's waterways a "D-" (their lowest grade) on its 2005 infrastructure report card due to their steadily deteriorating condition and reliability. Over 50 percent of our locks and dams have aged beyond their life-cycle and are crumbling. Action on WRDA is essential because ports and waterways are so integral to our national transportation system. The U.S. maritime transportation system moves more than 60 percent of the nation's grain exports and 95 percent of our imports.
NSSGA will continue to work with its partners for passage of this important transportation infrastructure legislation.
NSSGA JOINS TCC PARTNERS IN MEETING WITH BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS
On Feb. 1, NSSGA joined with its TCC partners in a meeting with the House Blue Dog Democrat Coalition, a coalition of conservative Democratic House members. Fourteen Blue Dog Coalition members discussed with TCC Coalition members implementation of SAFETEA-LU, the increasing needs of the nation's surface transportation infrastructure, the formation of the commission to look at financing of the system, and other surface transportation issues. The TCC was invited to attend the regular breakfast of the Blue Dog Coalition and offered to serve as a resource to the members of Congress as the difficult issues involved with implementation of SAFETEA-LU are addressed.
SAVE THE DATES: FIRST NSSGA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS FORUM SET FOR BALTIMORE IN NOVEMBER
NSSGA's Government Affairs and Communications & Community Relations divisions have joined forces to present the first-ever Government Affairs/Community Relations Forum, Nov. 12-14 at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel in downtown Baltimore, Md. This exciting new forum will bring together experts and practitioners of government, community and public relations to share best practices with aggregates industry professionals. More information about the program and registration will be available on the NSSGA website shortly, as will the event brochure. But pencil in the dates now so you won't miss this great opportunity to learn and share.
ENHANCE YOUR COMPANY'S GRASSROOTS NETWORK THROUGH THE "AGGREGATES IN ACTION" SEMINAR AT NSSGA'S ANNUAL CONVENTION
A2 will host Aggregates in Action: Activating to Advocacy Seminar on March 10 at 9:15 a.m. at NSSGA's Annual Convention in Tampa. This seminar will provide members with the opportunity to meet and interact with NSSGA's A2 regional co-chairs and learn how to implement a grassroots program in their company. A guest speaker will discuss the key characteristics of a successful grassroots campaign and how to incorporate A2 into your company's grassroots plan. Aggregates in Action will unveiled its new award: A2 Activist of the Year and the award's criteria. To learn more about this exciting opportunity to strengthen your company's grassroots program and the voice of the aggregates industry, contact Patricia Maeder.
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