NSSGA Urges Support by House Members on Dear Colleague for State DOT Issue

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued the following statement commending Reps. Carbajal (D-Calif.), Gibbs (R-Ohio), Katko (R-N.Y.) and Lamb (D-Pa.) for their recent bipartisan House Dear Colleague letter that garners support for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) agencies and the related infrastructure projects they implement. 

“Reps. Carbajal, Gibbs, Katko and Lamb continue to demonstrate incredible leadership for the critical highway, road and bridge projects that our state DOTs implement and advance,” Johnson said. “State DOT relief is a bipartisan infrastructure objective that benefits and creates jobs; no matter the constituency, state or region. From coast to coast, border to border, this aid will improve local economies in all 50 states, enhance the daily lives of millions of Americans and will ensure infrastructure projects that were previously delayed or cancelled during the pandemic’s onset return to schedule.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted Americans’ driving habits and significantly reduced dedicated revenue streams for state DOTs,” Johnson continued. “As a result, more than $10 billion in public works construction projects and improvements were lost in 2020 and it is expected that state DOTs will absorb another $28 billion in lost revenues over the next four fiscal years. Last year NSSGA successfully led efforts to secure $10 billion in the 116th Congress’s end of year pandemic package, but more is needed.   

“The simple truth is our nation’s highways, roads and bridges are overutilized and underfunded, and securing this aid is key in leveraging whatever robust infrastructure package Congress aims to pass this year,” Johnson concluded. “Soliciting support via this bipartisan Dear Colleague letter will help spotlight this need. It will also reiterate what these critical projects mean for our local economy and vital infrastructure network. On behalf of our more than 400 member companies across the nation and the 100,000 workers they employ, we encourage all Representatives to join this effort.” 

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