Feb. 24, 2017 – Eighty-seven percent of voters said they back the idea of boosting federal government spending on infrastructure, per a new Quinnipiac University poll. Both Democrats and Republicans, men and women, and younger as well as older voters said they support the idea. Overall support has remained steady since Quinnipiac posed the question (“Do you support or oppose increasing…
Read MoreAuthor: Mark Kuhar
Merger and Acquisition Activity Heats Up
One of the key indicators of an expanding construction-materials market is merger and acquisition activity. We are starting to see a little bit of that right now.
Read MoreShuster: Infrastructure Package Not on Fast Track
Feb. 15, 2017 – House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster recently delivered a message that’s already becoming clear to the transportation world: A big legislative package to fund infrastructure isn’t going to happen right away. “You’re not going to see an infrastructure [bill] in the next month or two,” Shuster said at a National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners meeting.…
Read MoreNSSGA Holds Audio Town Meeting
February 8, 2017 – The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) has a message for aggregates producers. This is no time to relax and rest on your laurels. There is a new administration in Washington, D.C., and you need to get them on your side. Reach out and build relationships with state and national representatives, and members of the new administration, if…
Read MoreInfrastructure on the Front Burner
Jan. 24, 2017 – The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association reports that President Trump signed an executive order that is designed to speed up environmental reviews and fast-track critical infrastructure projects. “We intend to fix our country, our bridges, our roadways,” he said at a press event. “We can’t be in an environmental process for 15 years if a bridge…
Read MoreRoss Talks Federal Investment
Jan. 20, 2017 – Commerce secretary nominee Wilbur Ross told senators that he sees a need for federal government spending on infrastructure – a week after DOT nominee Elaine Chao said she thinks Trump wants federal dollars to be a part of his infrastructure plan. “I think there will be some necessity for it, whether it’s in the form of…
Read MoreNSSGA Pushes Back on Workplace Exam Rule
Jan. 4, 2017 – In a last-ditch effort to thwart the Obama administration’s push of a deeply flawed MSHA workplace exams proposal, NSSGA officials met with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Info and Regulatory Information (OIRA) to stress that the rule is not necessary and that current regulations are sufficient to protect workers in quarries.…
Read MoreA Lot of Work Ahead
The aggregates industry sits at a crossroads right now. From where we are to where we want to go looks like it is going to be a long, complicated road. So where are we? Let’s take a look at the data.
Read MoreInside Info on Chao
Dec. 21, 2016 – According to Politico, if the Senate confirms her as transportation secretary, Elaine Chao will focus on ensuring that the DOT effectively enforces safety regulations, streamlining the processes for infrastructure projects and fairly treating both rural and urban areas of the country. Chao outlined the issues she wants to tackle as the head of the DOT for a…
Read MoreWhich Loader has the Highest Retained Value?
EquipmentWatch, which provides data, software and insights for the heavy equipment industry, announced the finalists for the 2nd annual Highest Retained Value Awards. The awards recognize manufacturers in 28 heavy equipment categories – spanning the construction, agriculture and lift/access manufacturing sectors – for products that show the highest retained value over the last five years. The finalists in the Large…
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