Governors Push for Infrastructure Spending in Second Economic Stimulus Package

Several governors met with the President this week to push for a second economic stimulus package to include reinvestment in the nation’s highways, bridges, and water systems.

A bipartisan group of governors announced support for the new “Building America’s Future” coalition, founded by New York City Major Michael Bloomberg (D) and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R).  The group is advocating additional federal investment in ready-to-go infrastructure projects. 

Governors Eliot Spitzer (D-N.Y.), Deval Patrick (D-Mass.), Ed Rendell (D-Penn.) are among those supporting the coalition’s efforts.  The coalition estimates that the nation’s infrastructure needs are at least $1 trillion.

Although the President was noncommittal about the a second stimulus package, a White House spokesman said that the President was leaving the door open to the idea and would likely wait until the first stimulus package he signed last month to take effect.

NACA members are working with key members of Congress to pursue a second stimulus bill.  Such a bill will likely include measures to boost the ailing housing market.

Contact David Hubbard

Transportation Construction Group Announces Legislative Fly-In

The Transportation Construction Coalition announced that its "Transportation at the Cross Roads" legislative briefing and fly-in is scheduled for May 20-21 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

The event will begin with a legislative briefing on Tuesday (May 20) from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a Capitol Hill reception from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.. The second day will begin with a breakfast program from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Immediately afterward, participants are urged to visit with their Representatives and Senators to discuss key issues.

The North American Concrete Alliance partners, including the American Concrete Pavement Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and Portland Cement Association, are urging members and affiliates to participate in the briefing, as well as to call on elected Federal officials to urge both increased funding, as well as durable solutions to some of the greatest challenges to transportation construction.

As the event draws nearer, position papers and other materials will be available to help members and affiliates communicate key issues with elected officials. Click here for an electronic copy of the registration brochure.

Contact David Hubbard, Jerry Voigt, or Robert Sullivan.

Green Transportation Infrastructure Moves to House Floor

The U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology on Wednesday approved legislation that would create a "greener" infrastructure by funding new research on ways to reduce transportation-related storm-water runoff.

The Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act would require “the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning or consortia thereof to establish and operate university transportation centers to carry out research and development and technology transfer activities in the field of green transportation infrastructure.  These centers would:

• Generate innovative and cost-effective approaches to mitigating environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of transportation infrastructure;
• Develop holistic approaches to integrating green infrastructure into existing wastewater management systems;
• Promote adoption of innovative green transportation infrastructure systems by state and local governments and the private sector; and
• Manage technology transfer programs to disseminate information on best management practices in the area of green transportation infrastructure to state and local governments and the private sector.

The legislation further states “that to the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that there is at least one grant recipient from each of the 10 U.S. regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System.”

Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) introduced the bill in an effort to counter the negative effects that storm-water runoff has on water ecosystems such as streams, lakes, and rivers, and to encourage local governments to integrate these technologies into existing infrastructure.  He also introduced an amendment that would allow other universities with existing expertise to work with the research centers and apply for green transportation research grants.

Contact John Sullivan or Kevin Walgenbach.

House Committee Holds Hearing on Railroad Bill

The House Judiciary Committee Antitrust Taskforce on Monday held a hearing on H.R. 1650, the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007, which was introduced by Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).  The hearing highlighted the problems rail customers are facing and why a repeal of the railroads' antitrust exemption is needed. 

Attending the hearing were Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.); Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee
(D-Texas); Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas); and Representatives Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Chris Cannon (R-Utah), and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.). 

Testifying at the hearing were Terry Huval, Director, Lafayette Utilities System; Dr. Darren Bush, Professor, University of Houston Law Center; and, G. Paul Moates, Partner, Sidley Austin, LLP.  Susan Diehl, Senior VP of Logistics and Supply Chain, Holcim (US) Inc., testified for Holcim and described the challenges the industry is facing.

Contact David Hubbard.

NACA Partner Testifies About Driver’s Daily Log Requirement

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) President, Robert Garbini, testified yesterday before the House Committee on Small Business during its hearing on “Improving the Paperwork Reduction Act for Small Businesses.”

His testimony focused on the 100 air-mile exemption from the driver’s daily log requirement contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service regulations.

He described how concrete mixer truck drivers are often unable to take full advantage of the 100 air-mile log exemption, because of the “unpredictable nature of concrete delivery requirements.” These delivery requirements make it impossible for drivers to predict when they might exceed the exemption’s arbitrary 12-hour return time limit and as a result, they are forced to preemptively complete the daily log.

He explained how a more fulsome use of the Paperwork Reduction Act could help to unsaddle the ready mixed concrete industry and other short-haul operators from this lingering paperwork burden.

Contact Robert Sullivan.

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