The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) has introduced a new initiative, Hardhats for Highways, to make it easy to message your representatives about current highway funding issues.
The TCC is a partnership of 31 national associations and construction unions “representing hundreds of thousands of individuals with a direct market interest in federal transportation programs.”
A few of the website’s primary goals include fixing the highway trust fund, passing infrastructure legislation, and ensuring states have the federal funding support required for state transportation projects.
The highway trust fund is insolvent, facing an annual $18 bllion shortfall when the FAST Act expires in 2021. Meanwhile, the current funding shortfall resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic requires fast congressional action to avoid construction disruptions.
The website states that federal highway funding is used to improve major roads in all 50 states and accounts for 50 percent or more of major state transportation projects.
“Most elected officials have diverse backgrounds and experiences qualifying them for their offices, but very few have professional construction experience,” reads the TCC initiative’s website. “To serve effectively, these elected officials need information. They need input from industry professionals.”
The initiative outlines four ways citizens can get engaged:
- Email your legislators by visiting the Take Action menu option.
- Meet with your members of Congress when they’re in the district.
- Attend a town hall meeting to voice your support for infrastructure legislation.
- Encourage your colleagues, family, and friends to join the effort.
