The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) will hold its first Legislative Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24-28. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill.
Attendees can expect to hear industry leaders educate members of Congress about the importance of the aggregates industry to the economy and transform policy and regulation. This meeting also provides a venue for all NSSGA committees to meet.
Topics covered will include critical issues such as:
- Waters of the U.S. rule.
- MSHA’s workplace examinations rule.
- Long-term highway funding.
NSSGA President and CEO Michael W. Johnson emphasized the importance of this meeting, and the impact members could make with their legislators. “We have to take a message to Capitol Hill,” he said. “Infrastructure investment is critical to keep the economy moving. If aggregates producers don’t meet face-to-face with their elected representatives right now, we are missing a huge opportunity.”
The event is designed to be one part educational experience, one part pep rally and one part lobbying effort. “This is a chance for members to become their own best advocate,” Johnson said. “Right now, with the current administration in Washington, we have a unique opening to influence regulatory reform and infrastructure investment. We need to take a strong, unified message to Congress.”
Educational session will include:
Allied for Aggregates – NSSGA and the Michigan Aggregates Association recently paired up to confront misguided legislation (created by passionate but uninformed citizens) that would have had a serious impact on Detroit operations. Learn how the two came together and the steps each group took to keep dangerous legislation from being implemented.
Improving Your Mineral Health Program & Reducing Costs – This session covers two separate but related topics on minerals and worker health: NSSGA’s Mineral Identification & Management Guide (MIMG) and a discussion of some of the factors you should consider when selecting the right laboratory to analyze your workplace personal air samples.
Be Your Own Best Advocate – How do you get elected officials to pay attention to the aggregates industry’s primary policy issues?
Rock Solid Reporting – When something happens at your operation, whether positive or negative, you need to be prepared to talk to the media. Media training can help give you the confidence and tools you need to present your operation in the best possible light.
The Core of our Concerns – Get important updates on active federal rule-making issues and how NSSGA is working to advance our industry’s interests on Capitol Hill.
Turn NIMBYs into YIMBYs with Social Media – Learn to use social media to find groups who actively work against quarry permits and operations and then discover tactics to bring them around and turn them into supporters.
Regulatory Reform – Hear a discussion of the current administration’s plans and goals for regulatory reform, including health and safety and environmental regulations.
Digging for Good News – A quarry has more good news to share with the community than you might think. Learn practical ways to highlight positive accomplishments of your business and your employees in order to build goodwill with the community and local elected officials.
Welcome to Washington – In this session, you’ll discover why your voice is an essential component of NSSGA’s mission, whether you drive a loader, analyze the stockpiles, or sign the paychecks.
NSSGA also just released a new video featuring three members of Congress – Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) – touting the importance of infrastructure investment. The video is part of overall efforts to move the needle on important issues and increase industry buzz for the Legislative Policy Forum.
“If you believe in change,” Johnson concluded, “you need to be in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24-28.