Sep 26, 2022
NSSGA Hosts 2022 Legislative & Policy Forum
BY NSSGA
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) hosted its annual Legislative & Policy Forum (LPF) in Washington D.C. Sept. 20-23 at the Capitol Hill Hyatt Regency. With over 300 attendees, NSSGA conducted committee meetings, hosted dynamic general sessions and held its Hill Day for members to advocate for the industry.
The highlighted speakers included Former Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), who provided the Advocacy Update and Hill Day Prep; Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD), who kicked off Hill Day; a keynote by White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu; and insights and analysis by The Cook Report’s Amy Walter. Additionally, NSSGA Board Chair and CEO of Bond Construction, Karen Hubacz, along with NSSGA Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs Michele Stanley, gave the 2022 State of the Association.
“We need to make sure we stay unified as an association – all of us – our large, medium, and small producers. While we all have businesses to run, we must also continue to seek common ground on issues important to our industry,” said NSSGA Board Chair and CEO of Bond Construction, Karen Hubacz.
On Hill Day, more than 230 NSSGA members traveled to Capitol Hill to conduct more than 215 meetings with their Representatives. They urged Congress to continue effective implementation of IIJA; remove harmful red tape on material producers; not select material winners in the marketplace; and help the industry with workforce development challenges, which include supporting The Mining Schools Act that will help develop future engineers and miners.
NSSGA’s President & CEO Michael Johnson also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wildlife Habitat Council’s President Margaret O’Gorman. The agreement continues the working partnership between the organizations to promote sustainability initiatives.
“Our Legislative & Policy Forum is the perfect venue to introduce our members to the Wildlife Habitat Council and continue our long-term partnership,” said NSSGA President & CEO Michael Johnson. “We encourage all our members to take advantage of this unique collaboration and take an active role in creating wildlife habitat creation, restoration and maintenance at their operations.”
Additionally, to close the week, NSSGA debuted a new session, “Unscripted – A Conversation with the NSSGA Leadership,” where members asked questions about the association. Many questions focused on the association’s future goals and the incorporation of becoming more active with the association.