

		September 6, 2006	Volume 6, Issue 22
		An Industry Update on the White House, Congress and Federal Agencies
		Pamela J. Whitted, Vice President, Government Affairs Jim Riley, Director, Government Affairs John Boling, Director, Government Affairs Paula Dietz, Director, Government Affairs Patricia Maeder, Division Coordinator	LINKS www.nssga.org Action Center e-Digest
	In This Edition... MARY PETERS NAMED NEXT TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SENATE AND HOUSE PLAN FOCUS ON SECURITY BEFORE ELECTION RECESS PRIOR APPROVALS ESSENTIAL TO ROCKPAC'S GROWTH REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NSSGA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS FORUM
		MARY PETERS NAMED NEXT TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Mary Peters, former administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, was nominated by President George W. Bush on Sept. 5th to be the next Secretary of Transportation. If confirmed, she would be the 15th secretary and the second female (Sen. Elizabeth Dole was the first, serving from 1983 to 1987) to occupy this important position. Former Secretary Norman Mineta, the longest serving Transportation Secretary in history, departed the office on July 6, and since then Maria Cino, Deputy Secretary for Transportation, has served as Acting Secretary. For more information, please see NSSGA's press release here. Return to top SENATE AND HOUSE PLAN FOCUS ON SECURITY BEFORE ELECTION RECESS In the few weeks before Congress adjourns for the fall elections, Republican leaders in both the House and Senate plan to focus on their ability to protect the nation and strengthen the economy. Democrats will highlight their criticisms of the war in Iraq and call for a "no confidence" vote on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The Senate is loading the schedule with so many items - including Defense and Homeland Security appropriations, anti-terrorism legislation and fiscal restraint measures - that it is unlikely that they will finish before the planned late-September recess. Meanwhile the House will be starting at a slower pace with bills banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption and restricting trash imports. The House also plans action this month on military tribunal and surveillance bills, as well as a resolution marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The status of the war in Iraq also is expected to occupy time of both the House and Senate. The next paragraphs provide a status on legislative issues of concern to NSSGA. FY '07 Transportation-Treasury-Housing Appropriations - The House and Senate bills fund highways in accordance with SAFETEA-LU, $39.1 billion. The House bill recommends more funding for the Federal Aviation Administration than the Senate bill, but both bills are a higher funding level than recommended by the administration. The House bill funds the Airport Improvement Program at $3.7 billion as authorized by Vision 100. The Senate committee only appropriates $3.5 billion. The House passed the bill in June. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill in July. Due to controversial riders added to the bill by the Senate committee, it appears unlikely the Senate will pass the bill prior to the November elections. In particular, the two versions have conflicting provisions on weakening restrictions on agricultural trade with Cuba and the funding level for Amtrak. FY '07 Interior Appropriations - The House passed its version of the FY '07 Interior spending bill in May, and the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its own version in June. The chambers are not too far apart on funding levels. It still is unclear whether GOP leaders will attempt to complete action on the bill or role it into an omnibus spending package at the end of the year. Included in the Interior bill is funding for the Mineral Information Team (MIT) data reporting. Both the House and Senate bills restore $4.5 million for MIT funding. NSSGA lobbied for the restoration of these funds earlier this year. Offshore Oil and Gas Development - In the face of high gasoline prices, both the House and Senate passed bills to expand domestic offshore drilling. The Senate limited its bill to opening up portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The House bill proposes overhauling coastal energy policy, allowing states to pursue energy exploration or to ban drilling altogether out to 100 miles; beyond that, drilling would be allowed. Of particular interest to NSSGA are House bill provisions that would direct a small portion of revenues from offshore development to fund petroleum and mining schools. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who supported the Senate compromise bill, has warned he would filibuster offshore drilling legislation if the House does not pass the Senate bill as is. House leaders rebuffed his threats but say they are confident an adequate compromise can be reached in conference. The White House is urging the House leaders to skip a conference and clear the Senate bill, viewing this as the best chance possible for action on energy this year. Death Tax Repeal - Senate Republican leaders failed to muster the 60 votes necessary to end debate on the "trifecta" - permanent reduction in the death tax, minimum wage increase, and extension of popular business tax credits - prior to the August recess. Death tax repeal and reduction bills have easily passed in the House. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) vows to try again on the "trifecta" before Congress adjourns for the elections, but he is still looking for the two additional votes needed to invoke cloture. NSSGA is closely tracking congressional action on these NSSGA priority issues and will continue to report developments. Return to top PRIOR APPROVALS ESSENTIAL TO ROCKPAC'S GROWTH NSSGA recently sent out requests to all member companies' official representatives (ORs) asking them either to grant prior approval for NSSGA to communicate with and solicit a company's executives and management for contributions to its political action committee, ROCKPAC, or provide updates to their current prior approval information. In no way does granting prior approval obligate you, your company or any of its employees to contribute. If you need a new form or have additional questions about the prior approval requirement, please contact Jim Riley for more information. We extend our sincerest thanks to all of the ORs of NSSGA member companies who have already helped NSSGA comply. Return to top REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NSSGA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS FORUM Register today for the first-ever Government Affairs/Community Relations Forum, Nov. 12-14 at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore hotel in downtown Baltimore, Md. The Government Affairs and/Community Relations Forum is tailored to meet the needs of aggregates professionals who represent their operations before the media, elected officials and community leaders. This forum will provide new and advanced tools to produce more effective communications, and it has been designed specifically for the employee who wears more than one hat in his or her organization. In addition to the communications tools, sessions dealing directly with issues that predominate in the aggregates industry will be presented, including permitting and regulations; local, state and federal government relations; land use and your local government. Through these expert-led sessions, seasoned communications and government affairs professionals and beginners can study the basic and the newest techniques. The Forum will also offer a VIP "Behind the Scenes Tour of The Rocks Gallery" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This exclusive tour will take you into the research halls of the Smithsonian to learn and view first-hand some of the "rocks" that have impacted the development of our quality of life. Stay-tuned to the e-Digest and Washington Watch for more information. When registering, be sure to enter promotional code GACR06ED. Click here to register. Return to top
		National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association 1605 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 800-342-1415 • 703-525-8788 • fax: 703-525-7782 Portions of this e-mail contain advertising and solicitations for member-related products and services.