May 17, 2021
NSSGA Applauds Introduction of the PAVE Act
BY NSSGA
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs Michele Stanley, issued the following statement on May 14, 2021, commending the leadership of Reps. Connor Lamb, Bob Gibbs and Salud Carbajal on the introduction of the Providing Assistance for Vital Enhancements (PAVE) Act, which would set aside funds for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) who have lost billions in dedicated revenue as a result of the pandemic’s economic impact. The legislation builds upon efforts to raise awareness for the projected $18 billion revenue gap over the next four fiscal years of state DOTs, including the bipartisan House Dear Colleague letter which garnered signatures from almost 50 Representatives.
“The PAVE Act ensures state DOTs will have the funds necessary to continue their local projects, many of which were delayed or suspended altogether due to the pandemic’s economic impact on their dedicated revenue streams. While we appreciate the $10 billion secured last Congress for state DOTs, that is considerably short of what these agencies will absorb in the coming years as driving habits will permanently change for millions of Americans. These changes will directly impact statewide budgets for critical surface projects and jeopardize much-needed enhancements to our network of roads, highways and bridges.
“As the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee works to introduce and pass their surface transportation reauthorization in the coming weeks, we hope this critical, bipartisan infrastructure policy is included, which would benefit every state DOT. We thank Reps. Lamb, Gibbs and Carbajal for their leadership on this critical issue. NSSGA will echo this policy priority as a surface transportation reauthorization bill is drafted and debated.”