On Feb. 19, nearly 100 members of the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA) visited with Texas legislators to discuss issues important to the aggregate, concrete and cement industries. Texas House Rep. Pat Curry (House District 56) kicked off TACA’s Capitol Day with remarks that set the tone for a day of legislative visits to the Capitol.
“The Texas aggregates business is a $10 billion dollar industry and is vital to everyone who lives and works here,” said Rep. Curry, who serves on the House Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee and the Transportation Committee. “Most people drive up and down these roads and do not realize how important they are and why the roads are in such great condition. That’s because of you. We all need to hear your story.”
Texas’ population surge – projected to increase from approximately 31 million residents in 2025 to 42 million by 2045 – has set the demand for substantial infrastructure development.
“With Texas as one of the fastest growing states in the nation, the need for aggregates, concrete and cement has never been greater,” said TACA Board Member Matt Arnold. “We are working with all stakeholders to ensure that we can continue to deliver the critical infrastructure materials required to build the roads, bridges, schools, buildings, homes and hospitals that sustain the state’s unprecedented growth, in a regulatory environment that provides certainty and consistency,” said Arnold.
TACA members visited more than 74 legislative offices. During the meetings, members focused not only on meeting familiar faces, but also on making contact with some of the 31 new representatives and three new senators elected this past November.
Members shared the association’s legislative priorities, which include encouraging certainty in the environmental permitting process, fiscally responsible funding for state transportation projects, practical, safe and reasonable regulations for transporting industry products, vocational training and workforce development programs and sensible practices that support the state’s growing population infrastructure needs – including roads, schools and hospitals – concurrent with environmental protection for all Texans.