May 11, 2017 – A coalition of conservative groups laid out a wish list for what they want in President Trump’s $1 trillion infrastructure package – and it could spell trouble for the key White House policy effort. according to The Hill. In a letter sent to the administration and key members of Congress, the organizations fired their opening salvo in the…
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Republicans Balk Over Raising Gas Tax
May 8, 2017 – Republicans are balking over President Trump’s openness to raising the federal gas tax to help pay for U.S. roads and highways – a politically fraught issue that lawmakers have avoided for years, according to The Hill. There are a handful of GOP lawmakers who are champions of increasing the gas tax, something that hasn’t happened in more than two…
Read MoreGas Tax Cut in Wisconsin?
May 3, 2017 – A sweeping Republican proposal to fund transportation and cut taxes would flatten income tax rates, lower the gas tax and raise new funding for roads by applying the sales tax to gasoline, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal. The goal of the plan, which is subject to change, is to hold gas prices steady by lowering the…
Read MoreTrump Would Consider Gas Tax Hike
May 1, 2017 – President Donald Trump said he’s willing to raise the U.S. gas tax to fund infrastructure development and called the tax-overhaul plan he released last week the beginning of negotiations. “It’s something that I would certainly consider,” Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg News in the Oval Office, noting that the idea is supported by truckers.…
Read More25 Years of Young Leaders
April 21, 2017 – The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) celebrated 25 years of the Young Leaders Annual Meeting at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Ariz. Industry professionals imparted leadership advice to a record crowd of more than 200 people. Joel Galassini, Cemex vice-president/general manager – aggregates, received the Mark S. Walsh award, sponsored by Rock Products, and presented…
Read MorePowerful Roads in California
April 19, 2017 – California’s famously congested freeways may soon do more than create headaches, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle. State officials agreed to fund an initiative to generate electrical power from traffic, a plan that involves harnessing road vibrations with the intent of turning the automobile, like the sun and wind, into a viable source of renewable energy.…
Read MoreIt’s About TIME We Rebuild
April 3, 2017 – TIME magazine focuses on the need for improved infrastructure in its current issue. The magazine calls on President Trump to be a champion for a grand vision of America’s safer and efficient infrastructure and earn support from investors and Congress alike, according to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA). “Making America great again starts with…
Read MoreConExpo-Con/Agg Was a Beast
March 13, 2017 – I just returned from Las Vegas, where I spent a week attending the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) convention and ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017. The NSSGA convention was a huge success and ConExpo-Con/Agg was a beast. This was my ninth show, and it was by far the best. More than 127,000 people. More than 2.8 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.…
Read MoreWhat The Frac Will They Be Talking About?
Feb. 27, 2017 – Going to ConExpo-Con/Agg? If you are a frac sand producer, don’t miss a special Rock Products-sponsored seminar: Frac Sand: How Technology and Market Dynamics Will Drive Future Success. It will take place in the Westgate hotel (former Hilton), Ballroom G, March 10, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Panelists will be: Joel Schneyer, managing director, Headwaters MB. Mark Krumenacher…
Read MoreEverybody Loves Infrastructure Spending
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…
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