Members of the three PPRA associations gathered in preparation for a series of legislative calls during the TCC Fly-in. From left: ARRA President Eric Baker, Roadtec; FP2’s legislative counsel Tracy Taylor, Alignment Government Strategies; Katrina Lynch, Intermountain Slurry Seal Inc.; ISSA Board of Director’s Jason Lampley, Intermountain Slurry Seal Inc.; ARRA Vice President Jonathan Pease, Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc.; Scott Metcalf, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.; John Rathbun, Cutler Repaving, and Dave Henderson, Asphalt Materials, Inc. Photo courtesy of FP2.
During the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In in Washington, D.C. on May 14-15, members of the PPRA contingent made more than a dozen legislative calls to key members of Congress to deliver industry perspectives on fixing the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and the impending expiration of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act legistration . Each year, FP2 legislative counsel Tracy Taylor, Alignment Government Strategies, works with PPRA association members to arrange for and accompany members on legislative visits during the TCC Fly-In.
John Rathbun, Cutler Repaving, noted, “If one thing stood out it was this: Our message is finally getting through and getting noticed. As the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee starts to take up Reauthorization, they asked for a list of priorities from our Kansas Congressional Delegation. Without having to ask us, our delegation was able to respond regarding the importance of retaining the Preservation and Recycling portions of the FAST Act legislation previously approved by Congress. This is meaningful headway, but we can accomplish more. And we can do that by inviting our elected officials to visit our offices, plants and recycling and preservation projects in their Districts.”
Rathbun went on to say, “In one instance, a Representative left a House Congressional hearing to come out and hear from our PPRA group regarding our priorities and initiatives. This doesn’t happen unless you repeatedly and consistently make those visits to their offices and remain in contact when they are back home in their Districts.”
Scott Metcalf, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., added, “You have to keep pushing the issue of fix and maintain the highway trust find payment preservation is tax savings and green. Their are some many issues and so many other Distractions that we must keep up the frequency and clarity of our ask and over the past five years we are gaining traction.”
Members of the three PPRA associations speak to Ben Rosenbaum, Legislative Director for Representative Dina Titus (D-Nevada). Photo courtesy of FP2.
Greg Arntson, Albina Asphalt, shared, “This was my fourth TCC Fly-in, meeting with the congressional representatives and Senators from around the Northwest, in Washington DC, letting them know just how important and how necessary better funding for our roads is needed.” He noted what a “ great networking opportunity that this forum provides to those that attend, and … helps make an impact for the industry, and our country.”
Nearly 500 transportation construction executives attended the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In, all with one one overwhelming concern: “Fix the Highway Trust Fund Now.”
Newly sworn in FWHA Administrator Nicole Nason addresses attendees at the 2019 TCC Fly-In. Photo courtesy of FP2.
During the Fly-In, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Nicole Nason addressed the group noting that FHWA has three main priorities: Safety, Funding, and Innovation, and plans to accomplish the goals resulting from these priorities. In addition, attendees heard members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, including the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi herself, push for infrastructure investment.
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