The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) has opened its annual Legislative & Policy Forum (LPF) today (Tuesday September 24).
Over the next four days, more than 375 attendees will convene in Washington, D.C. to discuss the aggregates industry with US lawmakers.
Notable events during LPF include a legal breakout on recent environmental justice news, a joint government affairs presentation and the NSSGA awards display. Political strategist Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, will keynote the association’s joint Hill Day breakfast on Thursday, September 26. The meeting will also feature a Joint Political Action Committee (PAC) event and the annual Meet Your Representatives reception.
“Tax reform and highway trust fund solvency are major issues that will need to be addressed by the next Congress,” said NSSGA board chair Jim Nickolas, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Martin Marietta. “The Legislative & Policy Forum is the time for NSSGA members to share our position on these issues and establish ourselves as a valuable resource for lawmakers in Washington.”
In addition to passing sensible tax reform to promote innovation and addressing highway trust fund solvency, the three associations will focus on key policy priorities, including maintaining material neutrality, implementing the industry’s Buy America exclusion and preventing unnecessary workforce standards.
This year’s LPF will include keynotes from David Kearby of TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, and political analyst Chris Stirewalt, the NSSGA Awards of Excellence ceremonies and various committee meetings. Once again, NSSGA is partnering with the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) to host a joint Hill Day to advocate for our shared priorities.
“The relationship-building we do in Washington is critical for our industry,” said NSSGA president & CEO Michael Johnson. “Educating policymakers now about our members and their priorities will enable us to hit the ground running to achieve legislative success, as the 119th Congress begins next year.”
