VTCA Visits Capitol Hill
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VTCA, Luck Stone, Superior Paving and VAA meet with |
For the third year in a row, VTCA staff and Members have joined NSSGA for their legislative and policy forum and visits to national legislators advocating for transportation funding and advocacy for the aggregate mining and road building industries.
This year NSSGA teamed up with the National Asphalt Pavement Association and National Ready Mix Concrete Association for the Capitol Hill visits. These visits have a significant impact as we mix planned key discussion points based on the office we were talking with.
The group discussed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the need to continue investments in infrastructure. It was clear members of Congress and staff are aware of the issue. Superior’s President, David White talked how extending the Section 199A will enable Superior to further invest in its workforce. David brought along younger staff to learn how advocacy makes a difference.
The group also addressed federal infrastructure funding (IIJA). The next surface transportation legislation must be considered before September 2026. In addition to future IIJA funding, we were pleased to hear Congress is now thinking and discussing more about the use of high-mileage vehicles and Electronic Vehicles and how they pay their fair share in fuel’s tax.
We left each meeting offering an invitation for Members of Congress or staff to visit a Quarry or an Asphalt Plant. In recent visits we have had Senator Kaine and Congresswoman Wexton take recent quarry tours. This is proof these visits pay off. One final fun fact, Congressman Whittman told us when he was on City Council, he was a certified flagger! While we want him in office, it’s great to know he has transferrable job skills to help the industry if needed.
VTCA visited the offices of:
- Rep. Rob Wittman
- Rep. Jennifer Wexton
- Rep. Jen Kiggans
- Rep. Jennifer McClellan
- Sen. Mark Warner
- Sen. Tim Kaine
Joining VTCA this year were representatives from Luck Stone, Carmeuse, Superior Paving and the Virginia Asphalt Association.
As always, this was a well-coordinated event that has led to productive follow-up interactions with national level legislators in the past.