Dec. 1, 2015 – Today, a congressional conference committee signed off on the surface transportation reauthorization conference report, according to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA). The new bill is H.R. 22, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which is slated to provide approximately $281 billion investment over five years in our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. The U.S.…
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Clinton Calls for Infrastructure Investment
Nov. 30, 2015 – There has been very little serious talk on the presidential campaign trail about infrastructure spending. But Hillary Clinton’s campaign said recently she would allocate $250 billion to direct investment by the federal government in crumbling roads, bridges, public transit and airports. An additional $25 billion would fund a national infrastructure bank. The bank would support $225 billion…
Read MoreFunding Levels Discussed
Nov. 23, 2015 – According to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released its estimates of the costs of the House surface transportation reauthorization facilitating a serious discussion by the conferees of the funding levels of the final bill. The House accepted the Senate DRIVE Act pay-fors totaling $47 billion and funding three…
Read MorePROGRESS: Transportation Bill Moves Forward
Nov. 18, 2015 – The Conference Committee on surface transportation reauthorization holds its first public meeting today. Committee members will offer opening statements and, undoubtedly pledge to work collaboratively. Pam Whitted, senior vice president, legislative and regulatory affairs for the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, commented, “We are pleased that negotiations on a final bill are underway. With our Highway…
Read MoreHouse Bill a Long Time Coming
Nov. 5, 2015 – This just in from the “It’s about damn time” department. After years of temporary authorizations and days of debate on more than 100 amendments, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a six-year surface transportation reauthorization by a bipartisan vote of 363-64. The historic $339-billion measure allocates about $40 billion per year to repair the nation’s failing infrastructure,…
Read MoreBig Legislative Week
Nov. 1, 2015 – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider its version of a six-year highway bill, the Surface Transportation Reform and Reauthorization Act, H.R. 3763. The Rules Committee will wade through 250 amendments, deciding which will get called up and which won’t be allowed. Also, the U.S. Senate will begin consideration of S. 1140, a…
Read MoreExcavate Your Pumpkin
Oct. 28, 2015 – As you get ready to help your kids carve their Halloween pumpkin, why settle for carving a boring triangular eyes and nose like you always do.
Read MoreRocking It in Ohio
Oct. 26, 2015 – Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) recently toured a Hilltop Basic Resources facility near Cincinnati to meet with local aggregates producers, members of the Ohio Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) and the Highway Materials Group. Pat Jacomet, president of the state aggregates group, and John Steele, president of Hilltop Basic Resources and vice chairman of NSSGA’s ROCKPAC, were…
Read MoreConExpo Latin America Going Strong
Oct. 23, 2015 – On Day 3 of ConExpo Latin America, there is still a lot of activity here in Santiago, Chile. With beautiful weather and sunny skies, the outdoor lot is a favorite. Some of the familiar manufacturers taking booth space at the show included the Astec Group, Atlas-Copco, Brunner + Lay, Esco, Kubota, Link-Belt, Manitou Group, McLanahan Corp.,…
Read MoreLots of Activity at ConExpo Latin America
Oct. 22, 2015 – The second day at ConExpo Latin America got off to a slow start, but by late morning, visitors were pouring through the gates to look at a wide variety of construction equipment. “We have a first-class show here in Chile that has many exhibitors. Attendance is very promising and the support of the Chamber is also…
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