ROCK PRODUCTS’ ANNUAL SURVEY ON THE OPINIONS, CONCERNS AND BUYING INTENTIONS OF PRODUCERS REVEALS WHAT IS ON THE INDUSTRY’S COLLECTIVE MIND. By Mark S. Kuhar With the national economy improving and indications that the infrastructure gridlock in Congress may be beginning to thaw, aggregates producers are looking ahead to the 2015 production season. Aggregates production rose in 2014, and 2015 is…
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Stop Treating Infrastructure Like a Political Football
Unless you pay no attention at all to NFL football, you have heard all about the New England Patriots and the accusations that they deflated footballs used in the AFC Championship game.
Read More$1 Trillion for Infrastructure?
Jan. 6, 2015 – We have heard many proposals bandied about for increasing infrastructure spending over the years, but this is the first time anyone has suggested spending a staggering $1 Trillion. You heard that number right, $1 Trillion. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said this past Saturday that he plans to introduce legislation in the next Congress that will increase infrastructure spending…
Read MoreTax Extender Legislation Comes Late in Game
The House of Representatives voted 378 to 46 to retroactively extend $45 billion in tax deductions for the 2014 tax year, allowing millions of businesses and individuals to claim them on this year’s returns. On Dec. 19, 2014, President Obama signed the Tax Increase Prevention Act (H.R. 5771) into law.
Read MoreLame Duck Push
Nov. 7, 2014 – Michael W. Johnson, president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, has an important message for aggregates producers. It goes like this: “The American people have selected who will represent them during the next Congress, but remember six more weeks of work remain for members of the 113th Congress. Tell them today that their job…
Read MoreEPA Rescinding Valid Clean Water Permits
By Mark S. Kuhar A decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke a valid Clean Water Act (CWA) permit from a mining operation in West Virginia could have ripple effects on the ability of public agencies and private firms to deliver urgently-needed transportation-improvement projects for the nation, American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) First Vice Chairman…
Read MoreJuly Construction Rises; Highways Down
New construction starts in July climbed 6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $588.8 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. Nonresidential building continued to advance, supported by yet another robust month for manufacturing plant projects as well as improvement for commercial building.
Read MoreNonresidential Construction Index Dips
August 20, 2014 – The failure of Congress to act on a highway bill is weighing heavily on the construction industry. FMI, a leading provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, released its 2014 Third Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows a decrease of 3.3 points from Q2, but is still above the…
Read MoreA 10-Month Band-Aid
August 11, 2014 – President Obama has signed a $10.8 billion measure that will fund highway and bridge repairs for the next 10 months. The short-term measure, approved by lawmakers last month, is paid for using a budgeting maneuver called pension smoothing, which allows corporations to reduce their contributions to employee retirement plans. By allowing companies to do so, the…
Read MoreHighway Materials Group Urges Action On Highway Authorization
The Highway Materials Group (HMG) called on Congress to pass a multiyear transportation authorization bill following approval of a temporary patch that extends highway funding to May 2015. The coalition represents the raw-material suppliers for roads, highways and bridges.
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