As the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure begin their work on a major infrastructure legislative package and/or surface transportation reauthorization bill, the more than 100 undersigned organizations write to express strong support for the DRIVE-Safe Act (S.659, H.R.1745), and to urge its inclusion in the forthcoming legislation.
On behalf of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and the aggregates industry we represent, we welcome today’s hearing titled Long-term Solvency of the Highway Trust Fund: Lessons Learned from the Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Program and Other User-based Revenue Solutions, and How Funding Uncertainty Affects the Highway Programs. As you well know, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is dependent on outdated and insufficient user fees, and absent proactive solutions and new revenue models, the HTF will be financially insolvent in the very near future.
As your committees begin work to reauthorize surface transportation programs, we write in support of creating a comprehensive national vehicle miles traveled (VMT) implementation program.
As you work to advance the mission of the Department of Interior, I wanted to take this opportunity to share our views on issues aggregates operators are confronting as we work to build America’s infrastructure.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued the following statement commending Reps.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued the following statement regarding the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan which was released today.
As the Department of the Treasury prepares guidance on the measure’s $350 billion in relief funds for state and local governments and $10 billion in capital assistance, the undersigned organizations urge you to ensure transportation infrastructure is defined explicitly as a qualifying eligibility.
As you work to advance new technologies and solutions, we would urge for careful consideration to not limit critical research dollars that promote one material over others through select marketing activities. Projects should be decided on by their merits and decisions should be left to engineers and those with technical expertise in designing and executing projects. This will ensure only the best solutions, that truly solve our infrastructure challenges, are delivered at the best expense of the taxpayers
Echoing the hearing’s title, NSSGA loudly supports “Building Back Better” via a surface transportation reauthorization bill that will address the over $800 billion backlog of vital public works projects, which must be addressed in order to provide the motoring public safe and efficient roads, bridges and highways. Our national economy is already handicapped due the COVID-19 pandemic and investing in our crumbling infrastructure network will improve our local and national economy.
As the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure develops the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, our organizations strongly discourage you from including any increase in the existing minimum liability coverage for motor carriers.